Don't let the Holidays get you distracted

There are always set backs we seem to face when we are trying to grow our business or an idea...from the Holiday season to excessive snow fall, there is always a reason not to finish something.

Our December meeting was rescheduled and once we finally were able to hold it, there were just five of us there. We had two new members join us- Lynda and Shannon from Lost Treasures in Stillwater, MN.

It was good to get another new perspective on the group and what we can do. One thing we talked about was offering a TC Network-her discount to others in the group. Which I would love to develop. I think the more we can encourage each other and send business to one another, the stronger our networking will become!

We will also be developing a "merchant" part of the blog where all of our websites and information will be listed in one convenient place. I can't wait to see where we go in 2011!
If you are interested in joining our group, now is the time! You can email me at apelconsultingmn@gmail.com!
I hope everyone has a great New Year!

December Meeting has been rescheduled

Due to a conflict, the December Twin Cities Network-her meeting is being rescheduled to December 13th at 6:30pm. It will still take place at the planMYhouse studio space in Stillwater- www.planmyhousemn.blogspot.com
421 Main St S in the Brick Alley
Stillwater, MN 55082

Hope to see some new faces there! We keep growing and gaining more great members!

October Networkher meeting

This past month (I am really behind on these), the Twin Cities Networkher group met at the new planMYhouse store in Stillwater. Thanks to Joanna Opela for opening up her doors to us to share her new space with us. Joanna is having promoting her space by having several parties over the next few months get new people in. She started them off with a Dove Chocolate party.

This is one of the ways that new business owners can create more buzz about their new store or product and to bring in new people who otherwise might stop in. There are a ton of options, most of which are relatively cost effective and guaranteed to be a good time for your guests from Tupperware to Pampered Chef, and everything in between.
Along the topics of marketing for your business, the group talked about whether or not specific social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter are right for you business. It's something that each business owner really needs to look at because social networking is really huge right not, but is it right for your business. Take a look at your demographic and see where they fit in.
With my soap business, things like Facebook and Twitter are perfect ways for getting the word out about my products. I can connect to a wide audience and get them to my etsy site and post weekly specials, where as something like a direct mail campaign has not been successful for me because of my client base.

The great thing about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many of the other social networking sites are that they do not cost to sign up, so the risk a small business owner takes in trying it out is very small and can have huge results.

The next Twin Cities Networkher meeting is set for December 6th at 6:30pm at planMYhouse.
I suspect we will continue to discuss the social networking topic to see what has worked and what hasn't for some of our Networkhers!

Proudly presenting...

The Twin Cities Network-her Transylvania Television Sponsors! Recently, some of the Twin Cities Networkher ladies have decided to take part in a local Premier event- the Transylvania Television 60 Minute Halloween Special which will be aired on October 22nd on the CW! If you aren't able to watch it (which you should) you may have an opportunity to join us at the Premier Party on October 20th at the Bell Museum! The Ladies and their businesses below will be there and hope you will to, to help support this local webshow!
 www.transylvania-tv.com


The sponsors and their great website links are listed below (in now particular order), so check them out! What do you have to lose!

Let Joanna Opela plan your house at www.planmyhouse.com

Custom Crocheted items for any occasion from Kedrin

  

Priscilla Heimann can help redefine your business- contact her today!

Look & feel beautiful, Naturally with Twilight Soaps & Gifts

Let Mary give you new a look at Ultima Bellezza Salon

And coming soon- Jamacian me Crazy Jamacan Jerk Sauce....from Mary Coleman- Owner of Ultima Bellezza Salon!

MN Wing CAF Vintage Fashion Show & Wine Tasting

Come and see a few of your favorite Twin Cities Network-Her's at the Vintage Fashion Show &
Wine Tasting hosting by the Minnesota Wing Commemorative Air Force on
September 10th, 2010.

6pm -8 Wine Tasting & Social hour -

Wine from Warehouse Winery (www.warehousewinery.com) and from Import Iberia (www.importiberia.com)

8pm Vintage Clothing Show Featuring: - The Girl Can’t Help It Deluxe Clothing, Twilight Soaps & Gifts Vintage Collection - Pacific Shores Stone Works - Atta Girl by Kedrin

9pm Trunk Show and more Wine Tasting

6-10pm Silent Auction - help support the MN Wing (a local Charity) with the auction!

310 Airport Rd Hangar 3

South St Paul, MN 55075 

(when googling, put in the zip code or you will end up at the wrong airport)

 
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door Tickets include the wine tasting, vintage clothing show, and trunk show.
For tickets email wingleader@cafmn.org

Proceeds from the show benefit the Minnesota Wing

www.cafmn.org for more information
(651) 455-6942

Next Ladies Night out Networking Meeting

It's been awhile, but it's finally time for another TC Network-Her meeting. Every time we all get together, some really great ideas come out of it!

This meetings date is tentative at the moment (deciding between 2 days in early September), but it will be at Mary Coleman's wonderful Salon- Ultima Bellezza in downtown Stillwater.

It feels good to be approaching fall with some strong idea's for growing businesses and new prospects on the Horizon.

Stayed tuned for an update on the day it will be (in case any of you readers care to join us) and also for some profiles on the Women behind Twin Cities Network-Her!

TC Network-Her Logo

Twin Cities Network-her is looking for a great logo to represent our little community of Networking Women in the Twin Cities....are you game to throw your hat in the Logo ring?

If you would like to submit a logo design, please do so at twilightsoaps@yahoo.com

All entries will be posted on the blog and will be voted on! How fun is that!

Please have all Logo submissions in by July 31st!

(Please note this is a volunteer effort and you will not receive payment for the logo, this is just a fun contest to help a good cause come up with a logo.)

Great Networking Night Recap

The second installment of the Twin Cities Network-her meeting went really well. There were new faces, new ideas, and of course- Networking.

There were six of us total and 4 that could not make it this time, but sent me with some business cards. I am really looking forward to where we are heading and how we can all help each other grow our businesses!

A lot of the discussion formed around places to help our businesses get the word out, especially online since the internet is a huge place to network these days. With less and less time to go out and cold call people (plus the fact that cold calling can be a little scary), the internet is a positive place to make an impression.

Here are a few of the places we discussed that might be able to help your business grow. They are free (or have very low costs) and only take a minute or two to sign up:

www.elance.com - a great place to market a business where you offer a service instead of a product. You can register for a free account and bid on jobs like virtual assistant, website manager, engineer, and more. It's really worth checking out, especially if you are looking to earn some extra cash.

www.buylocalmn.com - It's a free local directory for businesses within the state of Minnesota. Their focus is on building the community and support small business. Registering is free and it's a great resource!

www.craigslist.com - I think most people are familiar with Craigs list, but if you aren't...it's a great place to list your store, business, service, or something to sell for free!

www.minneapolispicks.com - This site is a chic shopping guide and e-newsletter that goes out every Friday. You can submit a request to be featured or you can for advertising. It ranges from fairly affordable to more expensive, but they have proven results.

www.sheblogs.org - This is a great site to register for. Not only can you be featured and pay for advertising, but there are plenty of helpful tips for businesses. This is the place to get your blog on the map.

www.webs.com - Looking to start a website, but don't have the time or money to get your own own domain name or designer on board? Check out webs.com for great free templates. They have a ton of options to choose from and when you are ready for your own domain name, you can upgrade for a decent price!

www.wickedlychic.com - Fun website for shopping guides, product reviews, contests and more. You can request ad space for a reasonable fee or just join the mailing list to stay on top of the latest trends!

www.freecraftylinks.com - Great place to post a free ad. It's a lot like Craigs list only for crafty things! You can get in touch with other crafters in your area, promote a business, or find an event to participate in.

There are a ton of other places to advertise online from Facebook to Twitter (two of my favs) and so much more! We want to hear from you! Where do you promote your business online?


Thanks for reading!

Ladies Night Out Networking Event

Friday, June 18th from 7-9 pm

Ultima Bellezza Salon
150 Third St S
Stillwater, MN

Join me for another Ladies Night Out Networking Event. Don't be shy! Stop in!
Two of the topics I was thinking we could discuss are:

1)Sharing your Best Resource - this can be anything..an experience, a place you have advertised...etc. Remember, whether it's good or bad, all of our experiences help!

2) Sharing places (both online and within the Twin Cities) to network.


Bring business cards and material to share and a notebook to write down all of the ideas! This time try to bring a friend with to help increase the scope of our networking.
If anyone has any other topics they would like to share, please feel free to let me know, I would be happy to add it to our discussion!

Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Please feel free to donate a dollar or two to help cover the costs of printing and snacks.