Then life got busier.   I went to graduate school, got married, had my daughter and left my corporate job to pursue an entrepreneurial path.  It was in grad school that I made my first vision board at a retreat at the UCLA Conference Center at Lake Arrowhead, Ca.  After graduation, some of my orange county friends continued to meet annually and create vision boards together.  They spent a day eating, drinking, visiting and challenging each other on their personal goals.  I joined them when I could.  What  a treat.  A safe environment to reach for your dreams but to be kept in check by those who know you well enought to call BS when you’re getting too aggressive?

After Six Figure Moms Club started, I began speaking about goal setting every January for two reasons 1) my love of personal strategy and 2) my observation that this group of women often spends time taking care of everyone else’s needs but there own.  It was obvious that one special night devoted to designing your intentions for the next year was important.  I wanted to create an evening where the setting was relaxing, where the food and wine was delicious and the environment inviting so that women and men could open their creative minds and plan their best lives for the next year.  That was the birth of the Making the Most of Your Personal Strategy Events.  They are my favorite event every year.

Whether you spend it with me at the Six Figure Moms Club event, alone or with a group of your own friends, my question to you is How Can You Not? How can you not spend some deliberate time on your personal strategy planning what you want out of your life in 2010?  I hope you will and I hope you’ll have fun with it! Cheers to a fantastic 2010!

Julie is a member of Six Figure Moms Club.  I’m proud to know her and to have the opportunity to learn from her as another working mother following her dreams and working through the challenges every day.  Thank you Julie for sharing this wonderful post with us.  May you find everything you always wanted…that’s not already right in front of you.

Warmly, Angie

Just Not Enough Time in The Day

By Julie Frans

Us working moms perform magic tricks day in and day out. Every mom has a few magic tricks up her sleeve, but there’s no denying us entrepenurial, business owning, super-driven moms have to have a bit of magic tricks and crafty spells in mastering the fine art of balancing business, motherhood, wife-hood, self health and happiness.

Balancing, juggling, struggling… however you get through it, however you call it, working moms are a rare breed. And yet… we still have not mastered how in the world to add more hours into our day… or have we?

I was always busy, graduating with honors from UCSB just after turning 21. I started a business from scratch at the age of 26 after traveling the world, with nothing more than a backpack when I arrived San Diego.

After cooking aboard yachts throughout California, Mexico, and Alaska, I figured simply, “I can do this at home- no problem! Everyone needs to dine well!” Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

Website development, networking, sales, tracking, follow-up, risk management, insurance, workman’s comp, booking, staffing, payroll, permits… and the dreaded Q word… Quickbooks! I never knew I would have to be a book keeper to be a chef! I was barely cooking anymore- I was juggling 10 different jobs at all times.

I quickly adapted- I multiplied myself. I didn’t want to work that “hard” forever- I wanted a family! I wanted a business that worked for ME!.. So that I could have a happy family, take my kids to the zoo every week, do yoga, travel! Boy, was that a silly notion.

As I grew my business, my responsibilities grew exponentially. Bills multiplied. As money came rolling in in droves, money went soaring right back out in sealed envelopes. Employee uniforms! Client gifts!

Now there were 5 of us networking, not one; 10 of us putting miles on our cars, not one!

My husband, a wonderful man who jumped along for the ride after a very cush job as a private chef to an ambassador, had no idea what was in store for him, but learned to pull his weight in the business.

Whatever he may lack in entrepenurial fire, he makes up for tenfold with his raw cooking talent and creativity, his personality that sells our business with his genuine smile and compassion, and his capacity as a loving husband and wonderful father.  My Johnny, my amazing, bright and happy 1 year old, is quite possibly the most well adapted kid in San Diego- leave him with anyone friendly and he’s happy… so it seems now. But- the guilt and wonder is always there- as I forge ahead with business, growing it as I chase that ever dangling carrot in front of me, thinking… “someday,” am I leaving my 2 guys in the shadows? Am I fulfilling my duties as wife and mother as I strive for bigger, better, more?

A wise man told me I need to get over my case of the “as soon as…”

syndrome.  ”As soon as” the business is “here” I will have “this.”

This being time, freedom, zoo trips with Johnny any time I want. It’s the entrepenuer in me. It’s the dreamer. It’s the driven, determined, passionate mission of my soul to keep it going until… until what?

Until I am satisfied in every aspect of life? Until I have mastered that fine art of perfect balance? Until I feel like there are enough hours in the day?

The bottom line is that I live this life because I have to… no, not for money… but for love. For the love of the challenge, for the love of the mission, for love of the teamwork that my family has to make this business and this life work harmoniously. It’s definitely not easy running a business as a mother. It’s not easy running a business with your husband. It’s not easy pulling off magic tricks every single day to create more hours so that everyone is getting their due- husband, child, business… me! But I would not trade my life for anyone’s. I am living my passion, pursuing my dream, and making magic every way I can to keep my life in the balance. And we are making magic together, as a company and as a family, Robbie, me, and even Johnny, as we create magic in the homes and lives of the people we feed and help live better lives through food.

So What? Right?

Well the week is so full of great things that you just have to know about them!  I’m one of those people who believes that you should always celebrate your birthday and that if you want to have a good party…throw one for yourself.  However, this year, three great folks are having terrific events during my birthday week.  And you know what?  They really have almost nothing to do with me and absolutely everything to do with you guys.  Both of the following events are so good that you won’t want to miss them!

2nd Annual Next Generation Work Flexibility Event

The 2nd Annual Next Generation Work Flexibility Event on November 3 consists of networking and a panel discusion.  The  event features a keynote address by Holly G. Green and a panel including industry leaders in the work flexibility.  See more details at Flex Work Connection’s website.  This is a Six Figure Moms Club sponsored event.   We also sponsored the inaugural event in Orange county last year.  Flex Work Connection has offered a special $25 rate for Six Figure Moms Club readers if you purchase via this post by clicking here.  You must purchase by Friday to take advantage of this terrific offer of $20 off the published rate! So hurry and buy your tickets! SEE YOU THERE!

Gary Vaynerchuck Wine Tasting and “Crush It!” Book Signing

Gary Vaynerchuk is one of my favorite icons in the social media industry.  He’s a personal branding expert with a passion like no one you’ve lively heard before.  He’s a social media strategist who not only represents the New York Giants but wants to buy them one day!  Every time I hear Gary speak, I can’t stop thinking about him because he’s just so inspiring and infectious!  Don’t miss this opportunity to meet him in person and hear him chat up his new book.

Excerpt from the Meetup.com:

Join @DowntownRob at the phenomenal Vin De Syrah Spirit & Wine Parlor (@SyrahWineParlor) for a Wine Tasting and Crush It! book signing on Wednesday November 4th!

** Everyone attending receives a copy of Gary’s just released book, Crush It! **

This is the wine event not to be missed as Gary’s first claim to fame was his internet TV series Wine Library.TV.  If you aren’t convinced yet, check out this post I wrote after the last time I heard Gary speak at Gravity Summit!  He’s truly on the mark and infectious!

Hope to see you all there so sign up today!

SAVE THE DATES:

NOVEMBER 19: Networking & Group Status Update

JANUARY 19: 4th Annual Making the Most of Your Personal Strategy New Year KickOff

Vision Boarding Event featuring fabulous catering by Dining Details!

FEBRUARY 22: Special Event Hosted by Birch Aquarium!

Some of you might remember that last year I attended Blog World Expo.  If you are at all interested in learning about how social media strategy can help your businesses at warp speed, then this is the conference for you.  It is the essence of drinking from the firehose.

I recently wrote a post  on my company’s blog, Square Martini Media,  Blog World Expo Changed My Life in 2008! And It Could Change Yours in October 2009! This post talks in detail about what I love so much about this premier blogging conference.  Additionally, on the Blog World website, you can review a schedule of over 250 speakers who will present in over 80 sessions in various tracts.

You can also listen to my interview of the Blog World Founders on Boost Your Business Radio with my Co-Host Rieva Lesonsky.  Boost Your Business Radio airs live every Wednesday at 11am PDT just before Twitter Talk Radio at Noon PDT which I also host every week.

After attending Blog World Expo last year, I came home and changed my career.  I wonder what might happen to you and your business.  I urge you to spend a few minutes reviewing their speaker offering.  It is truly an eye opening experience for any working mother or  business professional.

An update on live meetings in San Diego….

Stay tuned for some other exciting events coming up the first week of November regarding Flexible Work and Gary Vaynerchuk! =-)

Today I was driving down to Encinitas, Ca for a speaking engagement when I looked over at the Beach and realized how lucky I really am.  It had to be one of the most beautiful days I’ve seen at the beach in a long while.  I don’t live by the ocean, but I do see the beach at least once each week.

I presented to the Encinitas Coastal Rotary Club on social media for my company Square Martini Media.  (Thanks to Katherine Wichmann Zacharias for the invitation)!  Afterward, I was answering questions with a few folks but my mind was wandering as I gazed over their shoulders out the window into the ocean.  I had one thing on my mind-DOLPHINS.

Here in California, it’s not unusual to see dolphins swimming by but it had been a long time since I’d seen any.  Perhaps it had even been as long as a year.  I sent a tweet out on Twitter that I was looking for dolphins but no luck.

The meeting ended, I walked outside to my car and the club president shouted outside his car, “Look, There’s dolphins over there”.  I was so excited. “Yippee!”  I watched as they frolicked in the ocean for awhile before I got down to my next task.  It was now time to record the video that follows.  I recently heard a comment about Six Figure Moms Club that re energized me about why this groups needs to exist.  Click above and listen as I talk about the following:

• Our next meeting is Thursday night, June 18, 7pm.
• We’re taking the Summer off!
• We’re revamping our entire meeting strategy for San Diego.
• There’s still a BIG perception issue between moms that work and moms that stay home!

I woke up thinking about writing this post for Six Figure Moms Club today and what I was wishing for you working moms.  Yesterday, we saw great love sharing on Twitter which you can read about on my sister blog Twitter Attraction.  I wanted the same warm, enveloping feeling for you.  So, I decided to share a few things that have made me feel great today.

1. This article, A Vow of Love for Yourself written by Tama J. Kieves.
2. An article I wrote for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) that might help you with your business: Promoting Your Business Using Social Media
3. Your On Ramp, a great company offering resources for moms who want to get back into the workforce owned by my friend Catherine Clifford.  Catherine wrote a terrific article this week on staying current, OMG, I’m obsolete!
   

I enjoy Valentines Day because of all the Red and Pink but mainly I love it because of the spirit of speading love.  When I was a little girl, my grandmother, my mother and my aunt all really loved Valentine’s Day and they spoiled me with lots of goodies.  (In fact, they still do   I hope I’ve spoiled you just a little today.  Now, go have an affair with yourself today.  Even if you stop for a quick latte for only 10 minutes or so, remember to honor yourself today, okay?

Jen Goode is likely the nicest person I’ve met in the last year.  She’s bubbly, kind, generous plus smart, fun and just and overall great girl.  We met in Denver in November and she gave me a button with her signature Penguin artwork.  I put it on my Timbuk2 canvas bag and it’s been there since.  Everytime I look at it I smile because it reminds me of Jen and her infectious positive energy.

She also is responsible for telling me about Affiliate Summit. Jen told me I should consider going to the conference and learning more about the opportunities to earn passive income via affiliate programs.  She never mentioned she was a six figure earner but she did say that she lead the mentor program at Affiliate Summit and that I should look into it.  I was luke warm to the idea at the time but she was SO nice and she’d caught my interest.  I wanted more information.  I needed to know whether working mothers could make money from affiliate marketing opportunities.  I researched the conference and kept talking to Jen via facebook and twitter.  She was so encouraging and fun to talk to.  Jen was a huge reason that I decided to attend.  So, isn’t it amazing what positive energy alone can spread in the world?  Jen alone opened my eyes to alternative income possibilities that I’m still learning about.

If you love penguins, you just have to check out her artwork.  She also creates lots of other fun, upbeat characters, so check out her work at www.jgoodedesigns.com or www.jgoode.com.

Jen, Thanks for being a great role model for working mothers and thanks for being you!

People always ask me this question when I go to Social Media events.  I don’t think I’m a Mommy Blogger but maybe I’m wrong.  I’m not sure what the definition really is.  In actuality it doesn’t really matter.  I’m not a person who likes to put people into boxes or to be classified myself (unless that it, is you want to call me things like Successful, Six Figure Mom, Millionaire, Independent, Entrepreneur, Working Mother

I’ve even had people say to me that I SHOULD be sure to classify myself as a Mommy Blogger because there is so much sponsorship money to be made in the mommy space.  That bugs me.  It’s contrary to my philosophy that you must first be who you really are.  Follow your passion.  Then align the money to your passion.  I know many people don’t believe in this line of reasoning but I hear top personal branding people talk about this all the time.  Most recently I heard Jay Berkowitz.  Jay was an amazing speaker at Affiliate Summit.  You can get a taste of his presentation by reviewing the twitter notes here.

I guess the main thing I really don’t like about being classified as a Mommy Blogger is that people automatically stop talking to me about anything that’s unrelated to Mommy stuff.  Yep, I’m a mom for sure.  But I was many other things before I had my daughter and I still am many other things.  I love my daughter and being a mother is a big part of who I am but other than managing work-life balance, it’s not really a very big part of my career.

Why would someone automatically assume that I want to talk to them about their baby-related clients?  I spent my 22 months with diapers.  That was truly enough time for me.

Now, let me recant a moment. One of the main mantras for Six Figure Moms Club is Nonjudgment of others.  I’m totally good with the choices that everyone else makes.  So, if you want to spend your life working in the baby industry, that’s cool!  What I’m taking exception to is stereotypes.

Six Figure Moms, what do you guys think?

What about you MommyBlogger? Thoughts?

I always like to do something special in January every year.  I feel it’s so important that we take a pause and really devote some focused attention to our personal goals and intentions for the coming year.  It’s critical to keep our eye on where we want to go, especially for working mothers.  If you want any chance at work life balance, you have to put yourself in the driver’s seat and do some serious planning.

For our January events, I like the environment to be really nice so that you hard working mothers can relax and feel comfortable to enjoy yourselves and let your creative minds flow.  I want great food, great wine (a given, right? besides-what would Gary Vaynerchuk say if we had no wine and no sniffy-sniff?), great ambiance, great company (you provide that part and inspiring reading for a little advance prep to get you into the right mindset.

So, I started looking for the advance reading and I googled vision boards.  The first thing that came up was Joyce Schwarz’s The Vision Board Book.  I clicked through and remembered that Joyce and I had met last year at Blog World Expo.  I read her website, was amazed to see  that just like Matt Lauer and I, she also went to Ohio University, and then I called her.  Next thing I knew, an hour had gone by and Joyce and I had just finished a fabulous conversation about vision boards.

Look for another post about Joyce later this month.  She’s given us access to 20 free pages of her book and donated a free copy of the book that I’ll give away on January 22.

If you’re in the San Diego area, I hope you’ll join us for a fun evening devoted to YOU and your 2009 intentions.  You can sign up under the events tab.

If you don’t live in San Diego, I encourage you to have your own vision board party.  I’ve been creating vision boards with my grad school girlfriends for over seven years.  It always makes for a great day together as we catch up and plan our futures.  Or, if you don’t have time for a party, make it an event for yourself alone or with your husband or partner.  It really is a fun way to get focused on where you want to go.

Lastly, I’ll leave you with some homework: Christine Kanes’ great article on How to Make a Vision Board.  Enjoy!

You’ve officially made it through another year without popping, killing anyone, passing out or throwing in the towel.  How’s that for starting off negative?  I say those things because I know that you’ve all had days where you felt those emotions.  How do I know?  Because you’ve told me over the past three years. A working mother’s biggest enemy is often herself and the high expectations she holds herself to.  I’d like to suggest that you try to leave some of those expectations behind as we close the doors to 2008.  In my next post, I’ll be writing about one of my New Year’s traditions.  It’s a process I created about eight years ago which helps me close the year and refocus my thoughts on moving forward with a new set of plans for the new year.

The biggest thing I hear over and over again from Six Figure Moms is, “I’m not sure I should come to your meetings because I don’t know if I really have anything to contribute.”  Ladies, I’ve heard those same words from the most capable of women and I’m here to tell you, “Come, YOU do have things to contribute and the other women in the room feel just like you do”.  In fact, they need you!  Why, because their internal voice is saying the same thing and it’s soothing and helpful to know that others feel the same way.  You don’t know how many times I’ve had a woman come up to me and comment, “I can’t believe that beautiful, talented woman thinks that no one will pay her a fair salary–she’s amazing!”

So, I urge you, if you only make one resolution this year, make this one:

“I promise to give myself a break.  I’ll be nicer.  I’ll be more understanding.  I’ll be more forgiving with myself.  I’ll make more time for me.  I won’t judge myself harshly and lastly, but most importantly, I will take the time to enjoy my life and the people around me that I love.”

Until next time, my best to all.