change | Kaira Rouda

5 12, 2016

On branding and going a little darker

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:40:40+00:00December 5, 2016|advertising|Comments Off on On branding and going a little darker

The interesting thing about having a background in branding is that it's fairly easy for me to see other people's brands, and help them bring them to life. In fact, I wrote a whole book - REAL YOU INCORPORATED - about the process. But, just like the cobbler's children, when it came time for me to take a look at my brand, I froze. I mean, my stories have been "Sparkling with humor and heart" since 2011. I loved that tagline, and my happy Gerbera daisy, too. But, change can be good, too! I'm beyond excited for next September when my second domestic suspense novel, BEST DAY EVER, arrives in the world. I say second because it is. ALL THE DIFFERENCE was my first domestic suspense novel, but I've been forcing it under the "sparkling" branding all this time. (Sorry, ALL THE DIFFERENCE characters.)But now, it's [...]

21 03, 2013

Real You: A moving experience

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:51:02+00:00March 21, 2013|aha, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: A moving experience

We all have certain talents - and certain, shall we say, challenges. Well, I'll readily admit one of my biggest deficits is organization - or lack thereof! So, the fact we've moved as a family four times since the fall of 2009 is remarkable. Remarkable that we've stuck together and remarkable that I can find anything, anywhere. And, why am I writing about this you ask? We're moving AGAIN! So with the impending, looming process I thought I'd take a moment to share the top five things I've learned during my last four years of a very moving experience: Lesson 1: You cannot control anything. You can plan, make checklists, plan some more - but when the big day comes, it arrives with all the mistakes, broken dishes and chipped treasures that are part of being human. Lesson 2: Moving is a great time for reflection. I [...]

23 01, 2013

Real You: So about those New Year resolutions . . .

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-06T23:51:12+00:00January 23, 2013|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: So about those New Year resolutions . . .

I used to make a resolution, or several, each year New Year. I know many of you do, too. Unfortunately, this is about the time, the end of January, when those resolutions go bust. My theory. Don't make them and then you can't break them. Don't get me wrong. I'm all about goal setting, and I'm really trying to up my cardio exercise intake this year even with my compete disdain of any type of sweat. But it's not a New Year's resolution. Nope. It's a fitness commitment. Oh, and I've joined a meditation group, too, but that's just something I've wanted to try. Ok, well, maybe there is a link between the new year and trying some new things. I just prefer to give myself the gift of less pressure than a failed resolution. I'm going to try new things this year. Some I'll stick [...]

10 02, 2010

Real You: Amazon lists, oh my!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:18:44+00:00February 10, 2010|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Amazon lists, oh my!

Here's the thing: once your write and publish a book these days, for some length of time, if you're like me, you become fixated by Amazon.com. Yikes - what number is my book today? Today, at this moment, I'm #9 in women's studies, #18 in marketing and 68 in women in business. But, by the time you look, it will have changed. That's the constant today, right? Change. Might as well embrace it and try not to get fixated on things you can't control! Yes, I'm working on learning that lesson every day!

11 09, 2009

Real You: The F.A.C.T.S. of embracing change

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:05+00:00September 11, 2009|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: The F.A.C.T.S. of embracing change

Just last month, my family packed up and headed West, a move we're calling an "adventure", although my youngest son says he's tired of that phrase. We've rented a house at the beach for a year - leaving a life-long life for most of us in Columbus, Ohio. Were we all nervous as we drove across the country wagon-train style, Oreo the mutt included? Sure. Is it still different, strange, exciting, beautiful, and surreal? Yep. Before I left for the "adventure" one of my best friends gave me an anagram she created when her family moved to South America for a year. I realize Southern California isn't a foreign country - but when you've arrived from the heartland, some things are very different. So, whether you're facing change in your business, or in your life in general, perhaps these FACTS can help you, too! F [...]

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. [...]