Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

30 10, 2008

Which Book Won a 2008 Best Book Award?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:13:44+00:00October 30, 2008|best books award, entrepreneuership, Real You Incorporated, small business|Comments Off on Which Book Won a 2008 Best Book Award?

Real You Incorporated did! The 5th Annual National Best Books Awards, sponsored by USA Book News, announced the 2008 winners, and Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs won the “Business: Entrepreneurship & Small Business” category. The book was also a finalist in the business categories of "Careers", "Management & Leadership" and "Motivational” and in "Self-Help: Motivational". I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible. Your support of me and the book have not gone unnoticed. It is your words, actions and inspiring stories that keep me going. So, again, thank you. It is an honor to know that my book is helping to energize women’s lives.

28 10, 2008

Rally your troops around a clear vision statement

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:13:52+00:00October 28, 2008|business, Sandy Clary, Vision statement|Comments Off on Rally your troops around a clear vision statement

It all begins with a vision statement, and if you’re a business owner—or you plan to start your own business—you need a vision statement. Fortunately, a strong vision statement typically consists of only one sentence. Begin with three vision words or adjectives that you readily and easily associate with your vision for the business. Define them, write them down and then keep them handy. They are the building blocks for your company’s vision statement. Sandy Clary, founder of Columbus, Ohio-based Clary Communications, masterfully developed a vision for her company when she started her public relations business back in 1983. By putting the vision in writing, both she and her employees were able to stay focused and on task. Perhaps most important, Sandy made sure that creating the vision statement was a team process. That only makes sense, according to Sandy, since team member involvement in [...]

24 10, 2008

Letting Go is Hard to Do

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:13:59+00:00October 24, 2008|business, growing business, team building|Comments Off on Letting Go is Hard to Do

Eventually your small business may turn into a booming company. As your company grows it becomes more difficult to control every aspect on your own. Never forget that working smarter—not harder—is the answer to your dilemma. Remember that team you built? Trust them to get the job done. Successful entrepreneurs know the difference between leading and managing. Sure you’re still going to be there, offering them the direction they need. But now that your company is growing, you can’t be everywhere at once, and you certainly can’t do it all. So give your team the breathing space they need to put your plans into action. You created a plan and a vision. Now let your team members carry it out. For more tips on building and managing a stellar team, check out Life Lesson 14 of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials For Women Entrepreneurs.

23 10, 2008

When the brand gets in the way of the message

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:04+00:00October 23, 2008|branding, marketing, YWCA|Comments Off on When the brand gets in the way of the message

I want to say this upfront: I LOVE the YWCA and everything it stands for. The mission statement, emblazoned proudly in persimmon, is empowering women, eliminating racism. I’m honored to serve on the board of my city’s YWCA, and champion the organization’s causes whenever I can. So, in the story I will tell you today, don’t think I’m disparaging the Y in any way, I am simply relating a cautionary branding tale. To read more about this branding dilemma, check out my eBrandMarketing post.

21 10, 2008

Change the world for other women.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:11+00:00October 21, 2008|entrepreneurs, Kaira Rouda, Marsha Firestone, peers, philanthropy, Real You Incorporated, speaker, volunteer, women in business, Women Presidents' Organization|Comments Off on Change the world for other women.

You don’t need to be an entrepreneur to make this happen. It’s as simple as reaching out and empowering another woman with a kind word—or a reference. Perhaps you’d consider taking a mentee to lunch. Maybe you could find time in your schedule to volunteer with a professional woman’s organization in your community. Or, it may be time to start your own. And if you’ve attained a level of success that allows you to give your money—do it. Time and money combined are unstoppable. Throughout the last century and continuing today, women everywhere are making a difference for women of the future. Think Gloria Steinem, Hilary Clinton and local women in your community. You, too, can be one of these change-makers. Get involved now. Once you’ve reached a certain level in your career, it makes sense that you’ll learn the most from your peers. The [...]

14 10, 2008

Don’t Forget to Dream

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:31+00:00October 14, 2008|business, dreams, entrepreneurs, Gloria Steinem, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women, women in business|Comments Off on Don’t Forget to Dream

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. Begin by asking yourself this question: If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? What is your dream? Start defining it. What are you passionate about? What business activities feel most like fun and least like work? Of course, this requires some soul-searching. Take it to the next level. Write down the names of three people you admire. It doesn’t matter if they are family members, friends or business acquaintances. Then, determine what characteristics you admire in each of them. The attributes you list should be closely aligned with the heart of your passions! When you define your passions and dreams, you begin the planning process, and that in turn opens the door to exciting possibilities. This tip, from Gloria [...]

10 10, 2008

What’s in a name?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:39+00:00October 10, 2008|Brands, business, company, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, story, women, women in business|Comments Off on What’s in a name?

Let me say this: Naming your company matters. It’s part of your real brand; it’s your essence. What you need to do is begin with your company story. Write it down; record it. From the first twinkle of an idea to the people that have played a significant role, get it on paper. This is important because you’ll want employees to know about and understand your brand. They need to know the real story. After you’ve got that down, coming up with a name for the company should be easier. You’ll want it to define your real brand—the genuine, truthful, authentic you that your company is all about. Remember those dreams? Sure you do! Let them unfold—in your company name. To share your success story and company name leave us a comment, or check out RealYouIncorporated.com for some inspiration from other female entrepreneurs.

9 10, 2008

Remember Mom’s Rule?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:45+00:00October 9, 2008|consumers, eBrandMarketing, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on Remember Mom’s Rule?

It’s better to give than to receive. At least to give first. Then receive. It’s the way to build real relationships, deeper relationships, but some of us have forgotten that principle during the boom years. It’s probably time for a reminder. Consumers are unsure, and in many cases, just plain scared. What are you doing as a business to give back to your customers? To read more about reaching your customers, check out my eBrandMarketing post. I’d love to hear what you’re doing, leave a comment!

7 10, 2008

Subscribe to great magazines that energize you with new ideas.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:14:52+00:00October 7, 2008|articles, Glam-com, ivillage-com, magazines, PINK Magazine, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women entrepreneurs, women in business|Comments Off on Subscribe to great magazines that energize you with new ideas.

Begin by visiting your local newsstand or bookstore and browsing through the periodicals. Make some choices about the magazines that relate most closely to you and the life you are living. Then, jot down the titles and subscribe to the ones that speak to you most. But don’t stop there. Get online and find out what’s happening in business, fashion, home living, parenting and more. Try sites like Glam.com and iVillage.com. With a computer at your fingertips, nothing can stop you from accessing great articles and features that will inspire you and help you grow. There are several magazines—both print and online—that appeal to me. That’s why I make every effort to subscribe to those publications that speak to my heart. Some are business related, while others address family and the personal side of my life. Often, a good read is all I need to [...]

3 10, 2008

Your Business, Your Brand, Your Culture

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:15:52+00:00October 3, 2008|Brands, company culture, Competitive advantage, Kaira Rouda, Real You Incorporated, women business owners, women entrepreneurs|Comments Off on Your Business, Your Brand, Your Culture

If you happen to be in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 9, I'll be presenting "Putting the Real You in Your Business" at the National Association of Women Business Owners luncheon. I'll be sharing insights on:• Establishing a successful brand for yourself• Putting yourself at the center of your business• Giving your company a competitive advantage• Building a great company culture• Creating lifetime relationships with your clients The meeting will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Smith and Wollensky at Easton Town Center. For more information and to RSVP, visit NAWBO Columbus. I hope to see you there!

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