passions | Kaira Rouda

19 11, 2008

Identify what you love to do.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:13:05+00:00November 19, 2008|business, entrepreneurship, Linda Kick, Our CupCakery, passions|Comments Off on Identify what you love to do.

Turn your avocation into a vocation, and you’ll never “work” another day. While this is advice you’ve no doubt heard before, the real test is identifying what it is you love to do. Sometimes it can be too obvious, making it even harder to recognize. I suggest spending some time alone—time to soul search without the distractions of daily life. Then, think about how you like to spend your time when nothing else interferes. Write down some ideas. Brainstorm with people who are close to you and know you well. And be creative. Transforming what you love to do into an idea for a business isn’t always easy. Linda Kick, founder of Our CupCakery in Dublin, Ohio, is a former teacher and manager who left education to pursue her passion for baking. According to Linda, it all started with the Easy-Bake Oven she received as [...]

28 08, 2008

Finding the right professional organizations for you

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:17:57+00:00August 28, 2008|networking, passions, professional organizations, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker|Comments Off on Finding the right professional organizations for you

Connecting with like-minded individuals is a great way to grow your business and your personal network, but we all seem to be strapped for time with work, family and other activities. That’s why it’s best to only join organizations that have meaning to you. Start by visiting several groups so you can determine which ones are right for you. Then be selective, because attending too many meetings, or joining a long list of organizations, is the opposite of real. Once you find that perfect fit—an organization that turns out to be exactly what you’re looking for—volunteer your time as a leader. Why? Because you’ll get the most out of it that way—and so will the organization. Leaders who give their time this way quickly learn that the benefits far outweigh the input. Check out this website for great professional organizations in your area! Have you [...]

5 08, 2008

Write your own job description based on what you enjoy doing.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:28:55+00:00August 5, 2008|career, job descriptions, passions, Rachel Mazur, Real You Incorporated|Comments Off on Write your own job description based on what you enjoy doing.

Think about what it means to be, act, think and look like you. It’s not necessary to mimic other people. Instead, strive for authenticity. Now, bring out the paper and pencil, or start up the computer, and write your dream job description. When you’re done, make it your goal. With that as your focus, you’ll be surprised how quickly things start to fall into place. Rachel Anne Mazur, CEO of DASCO Home Medical Equipment in Westerville, Ohio, is all about having passion for what you do. Although her father started the business more than 20 years ago, it wasn’t until Rachel started working for a similar company that she discovered it was her passion. Already very much a family person, Rachel returned home to join the family business—and there’s been no turning back. Why? Because she loves her job as CEO, and her fun, upbeat [...]

25 07, 2008

Should you join the family biz right out of college?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:15+00:00July 25, 2008|business, college, dreams, family business, passions, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women in business|Comments Off on Should you join the family biz right out of college?

Joining the family business might seem like the easy route after college, but there are several things to consider. You must first decide, simply and emphatically, if this business is your passion. Sure, you’ve grown up with the business, but is working in the family business part of your dream? Be absolutely honest about your answer because it’s your life—and you can’t live that life pursuing someone else’s dreams. If you make the decision to join the fam, do so only after obtaining the necessary training and know-how. Make sure you’re qualified and prepared for the task. This is important so that others have a positive perception of your role in the business—and they take you seriously. For other tips on finding your passion see Real Fact Two in Real You Incorporated.

9 07, 2008

Pursue Your Charitable Passion

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:47+00:00July 9, 2008|charity, giving, passions, Real You Incorporated, volunteer, Wexner Center for the Arts, women business owners|Comments Off on Pursue Your Charitable Passion

If you’re not engaged in a charitable pursuit, follow your heart to get there. Pay attention to the needs in your community, and when it feels right, respond. Pick three areas where your gifts could shine. Then, seek out organizations in your community that serve at least one of your chosen areas. Write them down, and check out their Web sites. Better yet, refer to http://www.volunteermatch.org/ for more ideas. I’m a huge believer in giving back, and I make sure it’s part of my business and personal life. One of my many loves is the arts, and that’s why I’m a founding donor of the Wexner Center for the Arts. I will be hosting a panel discussion with five other notable women from the Columbus business community, including four from the book, at the Wexner Center at a date TBA. We’ll be discussing how women [...]

17 06, 2008

If someone’s not supporting you and your passions, they’re using you and draining your energy.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:30:33+00:00June 17, 2008|business, Chien-Shiung Wu, Columbia University, Manhattan Project, passions, snarks|Comments Off on If someone’s not supporting you and your passions, they’re using you and draining your energy.

Watch out for snarks! Instead, surround yourself with the real people in your life. Make an appointment with one of them today. Then, make it your business to foster those relationships on an ongoing basis. Known as the “queen of modern physics”, Chien-Shiung Wu came to the U.S. to study science when she was still a teenager. While working at Columbia University, she contributed to the Manhattan Project, and she personally assisted Tsung-Dao Lee in the development of his parity laws by providing him with a possible test method for beta decay that worked successfully. In spite of her contribution, which was considered by many to be instrumental in the creation of the laws, she did not share in the Nobel Prize that was awarded to her male counterparts. Many view this as an act of sexism on the part of the selection committee. If, [...]

13 01, 2008

What is important when times are tough

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:35:38+00:00January 13, 2008|authenticity, economy, housing, passions, real estate|Comments Off on What is important when times are tough

I just returned from the Real Estate Connect conference in New York and there were some very depressing economists there. As you no doubt have surmised, the housing market is in a recession. There is a wave of sadness, despair and fear crashing down on those directly involved in the industry: real estate agents, brokers, lenders and the like. And for good reason. There are 10 month plus inventories in markets across the country. Everyone seems to have stopped buying and selling homes. So, that was the gist of the conference and then I was on a technology panel. My message? Not so much about the next technology killer app - sure there are exciting things appearing daily. But mostly, my message was about getting real. When times are tough it's more important than ever to make sure you still have passion for the business [...]