Uncategorized | Kaira Rouda

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 [...]

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 [...]

20 08, 2009

Real You: The Power of Twitter Babble

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:22+00:00August 20, 2009|social media, social networking, twitter, twitter marketing, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The Power of Twitter Babble

A new study by Pear Analytics said 40.5% of tweets are “pointless babble”. Hrumph. Yes, some of it is: “I just had the greatest new ice cream flavor.” But some of this said babble is for a point. When businesses and entrepreneurs share information important to them and their industry, insights into how they’ve achieved what they have and the like, it’s far from pointless. It’s illuminating. As Twitter has grown from small personal networks (how most people start on Twitter) to a blend of personal and professional networks of people—followers—the great potential here is to connect. These tweets humanize each of us. They connect us with like-minded people, folks who are interested in similar topics, and these simple tweets actually can lead to life-long friendships, new clients and referrals. Some of the most-followed people on Twitter provide both “useful” book-type knowledge on a regular [...]

17 08, 2009

Dog days customer lessons

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:32+00:00August 17, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Dog days customer lessons

Family driving vacations are a blast, no matter if it's a staycation or heading a bit farther - like our family is doing. We're driving from Ohio to California, and the dog is with us! What does that mean? Well, fortunately, Oreo is a good traveller. Also, fortunately, a quick perusal of my AAA State Guide Books - love AAA and their discounts, and even the TripTiks in the era of Navigation Systems - gave me a range of choices for overnight stays with pets. We haven't done this before - travel with Oreo - and I didn't realize how many motel/hotels offer the perk for pooches. First night: Springfield, Missouri. Perfect property. Candlewood Suites, a franchise concept from Intercontinental Hotel Group. Clean rooms, friendly staff welcoming Oreo and us. Next night: Albuquerque, New Mexico. La Quinta Inn and Suites. Welcoming dog biscuits at the [...]

11 08, 2009

Just survived a snark attack!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:41+00:00August 11, 2009|entrepreneurs, Real You Incorporated, snarks, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Just survived a snark attack!

If you've read my book, you know I'm fond of labeling snarks as the folks who try to inflict harm on the Real You as you strike out to step into your power and grab your entrepreneurial dreams. And unfortunately, it's almost always the case that the more successful you become, the more yourself you become, the more you stir up the snarks. That's why I've created a microsite called Snark Infested Waters for you to rate snarks and tell your story of survival. Because it's also true that with each set-back, with each snark attack you do become stronger. (I know, it still hurst while it's happening, and you may need time to heal.) So which snark attacked me today? Was it a Con-Artist Snark, Bubble-Bursting Snark, Sexist Snark? I'm not telling, suffice it to say it was enough of an attack for me [...]

10 08, 2009

Real You: The importance of a happy mug

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:21:47+00:00August 10, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The importance of a happy mug

Here's the thing - each morning when the coffee is ready, I reach for my happy mug. I have several, and depending on my mood, and the weather, and the like, there is a unique mug for the situation. It's a reminder of happiness - and makes me smile. What's your happy mug? Do you have something on your desk, in your car, on your key chain that makes you smile? Not just photos of your loved ones - those are in a separate category - but are you surrounding yourself with tangible happiness with meaning just for you? It's important as an entrepreneur and a woman with a busy life, to have expressions of the Real You in your surroundings, as a part of your work day. So what's your happy mug?

7 08, 2009

Real You: The Movie!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:24:48+00:00August 7, 2009|business, entrepreneurs, passions, Uncategorized, women in business|Comments Off on Real You: The Movie!

It’s been a summer of inspiration—speaking with women all over the country about how to put—and keep—the Real You in your business and your life. It made me realize certain themes pop up, no matter the audience, and those themes are the ones I want to share with you in The Real You Movie. Grab your power, and shine! If you like the movie, please pass it on!

4 08, 2009

Real You: Change

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:25:08+00:00August 4, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Change

All of us in small businesses across America are waiting for it. The change that lets you know it really is the bottom, that tomorrow really will be brighter. Whether it's a florist who moved into new space just before the recession hit, or the high-end hair stylist who's best clients cannot afford her services now, or the frame store owner who can now go days without a customer walking in - we are all waiting.In most posts, I write about accepting change, embracing it and making your dreams come true through entrepreneurship. And that type of active change still applies. But if you, like many of us, are waiting for the economy to change - the passive change - well, that seems even harder to embrace. Remember, though, you are not alone. Walk outside your store and talk to the retailer down the street. [...]

23 07, 2009

Real You: Surprise and delight

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:25:33+00:00July 23, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Surprise and delight

You’re committed to putting your passion and heart into your Real You business – but have you captured your customers’ hearts? Are you delivering a great service or product and exemplary customer service? That’s the key. Keeping customers happy – especially today – and finding new ways of engagement. Here’s a great example: A hair salon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, launched a new service offering 15-minute Skype consultations to customers. According to Springwise weekly, the service is free and allows customers to get to know a stylist – or talk to someone she already knows about a potential new style. This is a great value-add service that could apply to any number of businesses. And in this virtual world, face to face chatting is a more personalized entrée to entice a customer into your world. http://springwise.com/weekly/2009-07-22.htm#planbsalon

22 07, 2009

The Wisdom in Extraction

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:25:40+00:00July 22, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on The Wisdom in Extraction

Bear with me as this blog post is being written as I’m taking care of my son who just had his wisdom teeth out. (Yes, everyone I know remembers that day, too!) And no, this blog post IS NOT about that! What I started thinking about this morning is that there is wisdom in extraction. One of my favorite definitions of Wisdom is “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action”. Action is the important ingredient in that definition. We are all wise, and hopefully, learning every day. But true wisdom requires action. True wisdom can be found, and built, when we take action and remove ourselves from situations that are harmful, limiting or otherwise bad for our personal brands, for ourselves. Are you in a situation in your business or personal life that you need to extract yourself [...]