small business | Kaira Rouda

2 03, 2010

Real You: If you snark, make sure you’re right

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:18:40+00:00March 2, 2010|small business, snarks, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: If you snark, make sure you’re right

Ok, let's face it. Not everyday is sunshine and puppies and ice cream. Somedays, it's just one of those days. You've gotta snark. But if it is one of those snark days for you, make sure you don't turn it into one of those days for someone else - UNLESS she deserves it! Here's the story. A communications person from an organization that I respect - that will remain nameless because I like most everyone associated with it and what it stands for - emailed me today to tell me I was being replaced on a panel coming up during New York Entrepreneur Week in April due to lack of payment of my dues. Now, I didn't know until two weeks ago that dues were, well, due. I found that out when I checked my spam filter - I've mentioned my new Canadian spam filter [...]

10 06, 2009

Self-Bailout Contest for Small Businesses

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:29:04+00:00June 10, 2009|contests, Office Depot, small business|Comments Off on Self-Bailout Contest for Small Businesses

Survival of the smartest! Office Depot is awarding more than $1,000,000 in prizes in the Office Depot—Adopt a Small Business Contest. 500 small businesses will win more than $2,000 in prizes! Want to enter? Upload a two-minute video about what your business is doing to survive during these hard times and how Office Depot can help you get through the challenges. The entry deadline is 11:59 PM EDT on July 31, 2009. Click here to enter. By entering the contest, you have a chance to win $1,300 Office Depot gift card, one year of Tech DepotTM services tech support ($599.00 value) and $110 gift card toward copying, printing and shipping services. Gotta love free tech support and gift cards. For official contest rules, click here. Good luck!

2 04, 2009

Mastering Phone Interviews

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:52:19+00:00April 2, 2009|entrepreneurs, interviews, marketing, promotions, reporters, small business|Comments Off on Mastering Phone Interviews

So, you’ve scored your first interview with a reporter. Woohoo! I know that feeling. It’s exhilarating the first minute; the next is filled with panic. Don’t worry. It’s time to get serious and start preparing. Do your homework. Check out the reporter. What beat do they cover? What’s their style? What companies have they covered in your industry? Nail down the key messages you want to get across. Put together your talking points. What are your three main points and supporting facts? Consider all questions you may be asked. What’s the worst-case scenario question? Make sure to do a mock interview with a teammate to help you get comfortable. Stand up during the interview. It sounds odd, and people walking by might chuckle, but it helps you get focused. You’re less likely to go off on a tangent in this power stance. Nix distractions. Shut [...]

24 01, 2009

Are you inspired? Feeling good? In control? If not, take action!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:10:15+00:00January 24, 2009|microenterprise, now, positive thinking, small business, take action|Comments Off on Are you inspired? Feeling good? In control? If not, take action!

If you're not feeling happy, why not? Here are your options: you can lament increasing unemployment, a shaking economy, a cold winter, a New Year's resolution not met, a kids' bad report card, a gray sky, and any number of other depressing mid-winter realities. Or, you can change your mindset. You can decide to live a positive, optimistic life. That doesn't mean Pollyanna or rose-colored glasses. That means you are in charge, and at the center of your life. You are standing in your power with confidence over the things you can change - and with acceptance of the things you cannot. Fearful about losing your job? You aren't alone. In Ohio, where I live, our state just reached 7.8 percent unemployment, a number not seen since in decades. It's scary. But it's not immobilizing. You cannot be the one who sits frozen with fear. [...]

16 01, 2009

Add excitement and laughter to your business

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:10:47+00:00January 16, 2009|business model, company culture, laughter, small business, women business owners, work enviroment|Comments Off on Add excitement and laughter to your business

The thought that all businesses must be strict, ridged, dull and lifeless is not outdated. Business owners should not be afraid to fill their business with laughter and fun. Consumers and employees are looking for an enjoyable experience. Adding life and personality to your business welcomes consumers and keeps them coming back for more. I always say go for the laughter. As adults, we often let the laughter escape from our lives—and that’s a huge mistake. Much has been written about the health benefits of laughter. From relieving stress to boosting the immune system, it’s a one-way ticket to promoting good health. In a work environment, having a little fun promotes camaraderie, and that’s critical for building an effective team. This is one time when it’s a good idea to take a cue from the kids in your life. They haven’t forgotten what it’s like [...]

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.