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Kaira is real

Recently, my book promoting activities found me in Boston and reminded me of what a great place it is. We wandered the stacks at the country's first library - amazing - and popped into the the city's largest Barnes and Noble inside Copley Place in the historic Back Bay. It's still an amazing feeling to see Real You Incorporated on the shelves. As always, feel free to pop by and pick one up if you're in the neighborhood. Later that evening, I headed out to Newton to the studios of NECN - the New England Cable Network - serving three million homes in the six state area. While waiting in the green room/conference room of NECN, I met Sean Garballey - a 23 year old, newly minted member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He was great - even after I told him he looked [...]

Last Wednesday I flew to New York City for Happy Hour. That is, "Happy Hour" on Fox Business News with Rebecca Gomez. It was a whirlwind trip—there and back in a day. Located in a crowded bar—with standing-room only—Rebecca interviewed me about the book. There was plenty of commotion. But it was relaxed, natural and exciting! She asked me what it means to be true to yourself. And like I’ve said so many times before, you have to start with a passionate idea about what you really want to do in life. Find it within yourself. Be true. Then you can go from there.

Water main break. Sink hole. Blizzard. Yes, I’ve encountered all of those in the last 12 hours. All in the name of book promotion. Despite the conditions, I had a great time in Cleveland. Andrea Vecchio and Eileen McShea from “Good Company” on WKYC were fantastic! We discussed mompreneurs, like Meredith Liepelt (featured in the book), are proof that women with successful inventions are everywhere. All it takes is knowing yourself and your passions, and taking action. For more, check out the segment. And thanks to Anngela, a former business owner who will be one again, for stopping by my book signing at Tower City!

It's striking how similar the comments I have been receiving from people who have read the book. They're ready. They're energized. They know they need to put themselves in their businesses. We are all tired of faking it. It's time to follow our hearts and our passions and by doing so, have a much more authentic, rewarding and interesting business life. So, that's really the first step of the system found inside the pages of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. It's up to you to decide you're ready. And you are! Hey, my first book review came out! Here's a link: http://www.thisweeknews.com/?story=sites/thisweeknews/022808/Dublin/News/022808-News-504016.html&sec=home&tab=tab1

The first amazing step in publishing a book is holding the finished product in your hand. The next most amazing encounter is seeing it held in someone else's. That's what has been happening this week. I spoke at several events this week - to women entrepreneurs who are part of the eWomen Network, to undergraduate business women at The Ohio State University, to high school juniors at the YWCA, to individuals at a bookstore - and each time I had a chance to interact about the book I felt the same excitement. The possibility of connecting on a deeper level. Of sharing ideas that are a bridge between us, and the chance to add empowerment on both sides. I love to learn from each encounter - and hopefully the feeling is mutual. The third part of publishing a book is having someone approach you, or [...]

The culmination of the book publishing journey is when you see your book on the shelf at your local bookstore. And I just did. It was an amazing feeling. It's just like launching a business, really. Getting that first business card printed. Securing your url. It's all about bringing something new to the world. Putting yourself out there. And as you know, that's the essence of entrepreneurship. Bringing something to the world with your unique spin on it. In Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs I've created a chart to help you remember that spark as your business begins to grow and prosper. The chart is an organizing system, a tool for you to use to make sure you are always referring back to your own unique personal brand and bringing it to the world as a business that is distinctly yours. With [...]

That's the biggest question I've been asked lately, and with the book now in production with the publishing folks at Wiley, my answer is a lot different than what I would've said all last year! Writing a book is tough. It's time consuming. Start with the pitch. For business books, you need a compelling proposal. It's almost like writing your book because all of the thoughts and content need a map and gameplan. I'd say that was the toughest part, really. I knew what I was passionate about: the power of women in business and otherwise. I'd also just spent the past five years building what's one of the fastest-growing, progressive brand in real estate: Real Living. And, I knew my personal story as a brand marketer, a writer and woman in business for the last 25 plus years. There was a lot to say! [...]

You really should, even if you don't have a daughter - yet. The book describes in perfect detail how we women became socialized the way we did. It's by surviving middle school. My daughter graduates 8th grade tomorrow. I'm more than relieved. These middle school years are viscious. You know it, since you lived it, but until you witness it through your daughter's eyes again you can block it all out. The bullies. The peer pressure. The unbelievable social structure that permeates every act, thought, word and deed. It's enough to make you want to homeschool. But all of these middle school tests do make you stronger, if you survive it. We women learn as girls how to undermine, undercut, undervalue, undereat and otherwise UNDER appreciate everyone except those in our own cliques. We also, conversely, learn the value of true friends and the art [...]