Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

5 10, 2009

Real You: What’s good for you?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:19:46+00:00October 5, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: What’s good for you?

Do you know? Sure, vegetables and sunshine, exercise and laughter are good for you, but do you know what's good for you in business? It's probably about the same thing. Do you eat lunch with people who make you laugh? Are you sharing a smile and a story with at least one other person during your workday? Do you leave your office - whether it's a desk at home or a high-rise downtown - feeling good, accomplished, respected? If not, it's not healthy. As women, we tend to struggle in the areas of earning, saving and net worth. It's because, many times, we don't feel like we deserve it. We sacrifice. We don't say we're they one who actually did the project. We think our time for recognition will come. But it won't. Not if you don't make it so. What's good for you is [...]

25 09, 2009

Real You: Creativity is intelligence having fun

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:19:53+00:00September 25, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Creativity is intelligence having fun

That's one of my favorite quotes - and it's so true. My college son forwarded me one of the funniest emails I've received in a long time today. It's about failing a test with dignity - but I'd call it failing a test with creativity. I included one of the images from the email here. This question asks if the object will continue to move after it comes to a rest? If yes, how high will it go up the slope? A complex math problem. Stumped, the student could have left the answer blank. Instead, he wrote: "No. There is an elephant in the way." And drew an elephant. Creative. It made me think: have you overcome an objection or challenge with creativity lately? Give it a try. Even though the elephant artist didn't get a point, at least he didn't leave it blank!

15 09, 2009

Real You: Stunning tribute created by students

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:19:57+00:00September 15, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Stunning tribute created by students

Driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in California provides dramatic views at almost every turn. But this week, in Malibu, the front lawn of Pepperdine University is covered in almost 3,000 flags representing those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attack. At first, you are struck by the number of billowing flags, then by the flags of different nations throughout the tribute. The idea for the memorial sprung from the ranks of the students and this is the second year for the display. Pepperdine alunmi Tom Burnett was one of the heroes of United Airlines Flight 93, who with fellow passengers wrestled control of the plane from the hijackers before they could fly it into the capitol building. Words cannot express the beauty of the tribute, nor the chills it creates as you drive by and remember.

11 09, 2009

Real You: The F.A.C.T.S. of embracing change

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:05+00:00September 11, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The F.A.C.T.S. of embracing change

Just last month, my family packed up and headed West, a move we're calling an "adventure", although my youngest son says he's tired of that phrase. We've rented a house at the beach for a year - leaving a life-long life for most of us in Columbus, Ohio. Were we all nervous as we drove across the country wagon-train style, Oreo the mutt included? Sure. Is it still different, strange, exciting, beautiful, and surreal? Yep. Before I left for the "adventure" one of my best friends gave me an anagram she created when her family moved to South America for a year. I realize Southern California isn't a foreign country - but when you've arrived from the heartland, some things are very different. So, whether you're facing change in your business, or in your life in general, perhaps these FACTS can help you, too! F [...]

8 09, 2009

Real You: Top 5 business lessons learned from the new kid at school

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:13+00:00September 8, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Top 5 business lessons learned from the new kid at school

It's official. Summer is over, a season has ended. And what makes that reality sink in even more is that the kids start school tomorrow - I know, it's late -but it has been a blast having them around longer than usual. The kids are starting at a new school, in a new town - heck, even a new time zone. When I think about that change, and the awkwardness they'll feel tomorrow, I remember that feeling. Being the new kid. Everyone trying to find out what you're like, what group you fit into. It's the same when you launch your business. That fear of failure kicks in as you host your first event in your home, sit in the reception area on the first sales call, post your first blog or tweet, tell a potential client your hourly rate, or take that first real [...]

4 09, 2009

Real You: Another type of labor day

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:23+00:00September 4, 2009|family business, family members, kids, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Another type of labor day

My youngest son, Dylan, is an actor and he just booked his first professional job out in LA. The reason it's relevant to Labor Day? The show is a Discovery Health series, in its fourth season, called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". Really. Each episode features two real-life stories of women who didn't know they were having a baby until they went into labor. After having four kids myself, I am astonished by their stories, and apparently, so are all of the viewers who tune in! Dylan's character is the stepson of the woman who didn't know she was pregnant. He had an amazing time shooting both on location in Los Angeles and in the studio. The cast and crew of the production are great. And what did I learn, aside from the fact that there are a lot of women who are pregnant [...]

31 08, 2009

Real You: Five Common Networking Mistakes

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:39+00:00August 31, 2009|business, networking|Comments Off on Real You: Five Common Networking Mistakes

Whether you’re looking for a new job or not, you need to get out there and network! You can build new business, find possible colleagues and learn a lot from other people in your industry and beyond. Check out these common networking mistakes to avoid at your next luncheon. Mistake 1: Waiting for the right time. There is no right time to start networking and making connections. It’s much easier to say, “I’ve been in X industry for five years, and I love it” vs. “I recently lost my job, and I’m looking for a new opportunity.” Get involved now. Google your industry plus your city and see what comes up. There are many general networking groups out there as well. Mistake 2: Arriving without an elevator pitch. Be prepared with a three-minute pitch about yourself. Who you are and what you do is a [...]

28 08, 2009

Real You: Are you marching forward on your purpose and vision?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:47+00:00August 28, 2009|business, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, passions, vision|Comments Off on Real You: Are you marching forward on your purpose and vision?

If you are, you are stepping into your power. You are shining bright, sharing your vision with others and moving forward. You know who you are—The Real You—and you know where you are going. Your passions are defined (step 2 of the Real You process), and your personal brand is fully formed. You truly have found it within. When you are following your purpose in life—and applying that purpose and passion to your business—your competitive advantage crystallizes. You are able to use your fully formed Real You competitive advantage to delight your customers. And when you’re in business, that’s the end game. Truly. Whether you are a full-time entrepreneur, considering becoming one, or somewhere in between, your personal brand and your business brand are unstoppable as long as they are aligned with purpose and vision. Remember the strength found in conviction, in confidence. Remember, you [...]

25 08, 2009

Real You: Is your marketing to blame? Probably not!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:02+00:00August 25, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Is your marketing to blame? Probably not!

Hmmmm. You bought an ad. Attended a networking function. Redesigned your website. Created a new name for your business. And, you finally put together your vision board. But, still, nothing. No new business. So what's wrong? Maybe it isn't your marketing message - maybe it's that your product/service offering isn't quite right. If you've forgotten the critical step of clearly identifying your target audience - those people most likely to buy/enjoy your business' offering - then your marketing message won't resonate. Take the time - today - to be sure you know who your best customer is, clearly. If yours is a new business, imagine who it is. Create a vision board - for your customer. Where does this customer live, work, shop, eat, laugh, play, visit - online and off, vacation? Drill down, as much as possible. Does your customer have pets? Kids? During [...]

21 08, 2009

Real You: The Fun of Constant Learning

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:09+00:00August 21, 2009|blogs, facebook marketing, social media, twitter|Comments Off on Real You: The Fun of Constant Learning

Recently, I hosted a a webinar for the Women’s Council of Realtors. The focus was on how to get your business up and going as a new sales associate in the real estate business. The thing is, the advice for new real estate entrepreneurs is the same for new entrepreneurs in any business. Today, you are your strongest competitive advantage. It all starts with you. Your personal brand, clearly articulated, is your killer app. Your shining story. Uniquely yours and there for you to use to connect with your perfect customer. We spent a lot of the webinar discussing personal branding and target marketing. As you know, the ability to target, truly reach the right customer at the right time, has never been better. But it’s also really confusing to folks unfamiliar with the social media tools and platforms. I know, I’m learning every day, [...]

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