Free Tools and Resources for Entreprenuers

I recently published a blog post on a CRAVE Chat I attended titled "The Life of an Entrepreneur"  and at the end of the article, I posted a few resources of interest to those that have already or are thinking of making the leap to self employment. Well, since that time, I have learned about even more tools  from friends, colleagues (you know who you are.. thanks!) and just searching the web and wanted to share. So, for all you entrepreneurs out there on a shoe string budget, I'm going to let you in on some of my favorite resources, which can help you turn your small business into a successful enterprise taking you to the next level. 

"OK, well who the heck are you?!" Well, if you check out my About Me page you'll see just who I am. Because it's all About Me... and it can be About You too. Just sign up for free! Yes, that's my favorite word and you'll hear a lot of it in this blog (Free!)

Finally! The world knows all About You. But how do you pass on that info when networking? Why not put your new URL on a business card. "Well  I don't have money for business ca...." umm I told you - Free. Vistaprint (About Me also offers free business cards with your new account!)

Now..you have your About Me page up and running and your business cards look snazzy but you want more! And you want it for free! Yes, you need a full-blown website, not just to talk about YOU, but to show the world exactly what it is YOU DO, maybe even sell stuff online. There are a few options for free professional websites you can create and update yourself with no HTML coding experience (sorry website entrepreneurs) One of the most popular is Wix. And My site was created using Moonfruit.

Cool! The website is up and you didn't have to spend a dime on web design classes or buy an HTML for Dummies book. You have your business cards and are looking very professional but you still pack up your laptop and head to the local Starbucks to work, sometimes even inviting your clients to meet you there... not so professional. Well, what if I told you that you could work in an office, in mid-town Manhattan or a loft in SoHo... rent free! You'd probably think I was nuts but I tell you, it's possible and - you might even get free coffee! Loosecubes is the thing that saved me from working from home raiding the fridge every hour and taking breaks to watch the soaps! And, if you are the creative artsy type, try Wix Lounge. And for you event planners out there...you can book event space at Wix Lounge.. for free! 

So you've impressed your clients with your fancy digs  (clients? I don't have any clients - OK head over to eLance.com or Guru.com and start finding some)... as I was saying, you're ready to set up a conference call with all the team members to get the ball rolling but alas.. your iPhone is not equipped for multi-person conference calls. Sign up with Rondee - free conference calling service. 

Woah... things are starting to happen and fast! My new business is taking off and I want to make sure I'm doing all the right things to make it a success! Would love to take some business courses to learn stuff like "How to Write a Business Plan" or an "Introduction to Quickbooks" class but alas..money is kinda tight right now and the bills are piling up (you definitely need that Quickbooks class then!).. So how about some FREE courses for small businesses -  head over to NYC Business Solutions for free classes and seminars but hurry.. they are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

So there you have it, a few new tools to help keep even the brokest of the broke up and running until the money starts pouring in! There is so much info out there that this article will be continued in the future so stay tuned for Part II. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter (@urbangypsynyc) to receive invites for free parties and events in the big apple. 

Until next time....

CRAVE Chat: The Life of an Entrepreneur

You know you are a true entrepreneur if you start a business, lose everthing and are willing to start over and do it all again!

Last week I was invited by my friend Danielle Fontus to attend a CRAVE Chat. CRAVE is a  global community resource for women connecting savvy business owners through online networks and in-person events. They host business chats, symposiums, and other fabulous parties that bring together smart, successful business owners who support each other and together discover new, innovative ways to boost their businesses.

As the event drew closer excuses started popping up. Uuuhh, I don’t think I can go.. I’m too busy, I’m broke, I don’t have a cute outfit to wear.. blah blah blah. But at the last minute I said what the heck, maybe I’ll actually learn something so I made time out of my busy schedule, hopped on the uptown F train and when I arrived, I realized this was the best decision I had made in a long time!

The event was held at In Good Company Workspaces, which provide private offices, dedicated desks, a shared co-working space, virtual office set up, and a variety of meeting and conference room rental options - perfect for the entrepreneur who prefers to work in an office environment as opposed to the living room sofa.

I was very impressed with the host of speakers which included Jessica Drummond, MPT, CHC; a health, hormone and nutrition educator for mothers and daughters; Nisha Moodley, founder of Fierce Fabulous and Free; and Inna Shamis Lapin of Avant Guard Communications. I felt empowered to be in a room full of successful women and I hung on their every word. After brief introductions, the chat begin. The first question was "How did you know you were ready to take the leap from 9-5 to entrepreneur?" Some of the answers that surfaced included:

• I’m a PASSIONATE person
• Corporate life was not right for me, I refused to drink the KoolAid
• I fell into it by accident 
• Job cuts forced me into it
• I love my job but felt there is something more; I needed something different
• I’m a hustler baby!

Suddenly I was fully alert. I could relate to these women. When I made the move to NYC a year ago, I started doing freelance projects while seeking full-time employment. I was very frustrated sending out resume after resume and getting excited about countless interviews that fizzled into nothing. That's when I started to think outside the box and realized, I already have a job, why am I looking for one? 


I gained a lot of valuable information at this Chat and wanted to share just a tad of what I learned along with some great links to resources. 

• Always surround yourself with people who believe in you. 
• Continue to learn, be an expert at what you do.
• Know your value and put a price tag on it - don’t be afraid to charge what you are worth. 
•  Network, mingle, meet people, and most of all, communicate - let people you are looking for new clients, what services you offer, etc.
• Make a conscience decision not to be overwhelmed – ask for help.
•  Get off Facebook! *Like*
• Don't roll outta bed and onto the sofa with your laptop (soooo guilty of this!). Shower, get dressed,  go set up shop in Starbucks or create a designated office in your home.
•  Say things aloud – "I am a smart, sexy, savvy business woman I can achieve whatever I want." Say it. Believe it. Achieve it.
• Paint a big picture of where you want to be - Set goals, have something to look forward to that is motivating (i.e., I will accomplish this by this date and will reward myself with a trip to Hawaii! – well, maybe just to Atlantic City but you get the picture)
• Be a $ugar Mama to your business
• Don’t’ try and go big all the time. Make time for family and friends. Relax and enjoy life.

There is no one formula; it is different for everyone so don’t obsess too much over structure and strategy. I think Inna of Avant Guard Communications said it best... “Follow the universe - everything happens for a reason. Follow your intuitions, go with your gut – everyone has the knowledge within themselves but you need to really tap into it. If the passion is there, you will make it happen.”

Move forward. Never give up. And remember, it takes years to become an overnight success!

Resources:

• Procrastinator? Hire a business coach
• Need some administrative help? Hire a virtual assistant
• Need help finding Mr. Right? Check out Single in Stilettos
• You’re in NY and your client is in LA - Schedule a webinar
• Hungry? Let's do lunch!  
• Need to outsource? How about a crowdsource
• Need someone to do your social media but you only have $5.. no problem! Check out Fiver.com 
• Want the world to know All About You? Create a profile in All About Me
• OK, I'm convinced! I think I have what it takes to be entrepreneur, but where do I start?  Start with a good book - The 4-Hour Workweek

 To find out where the next CRAVE chat is near you, visit thecravecompany.com/events

Behind the Curtains

Behind the curtains, spotlights fade, relationships are shattered, friends are made. Smile in your face but when you turn around, take a second glance… look you up and down. Applying my makeup so perfectly, crying in the dark so no one will see. Chips and soda, cigs and beer, made someone smile, I have no fear. City of lights shinning outside no time to look back, nowhere to hide. I count on me to make it OK, but accept your hand to wipe tears away. Adrenalin rush, the music begins, the crowd is pumped hope it never ends. Bottles are popping, performers aren’t stopping, no money to go shopping… I love chocolate toppings. Behind the curtain, nothing’s what it seems you create your own reality so go live your dream.

Lawrence Pizzi Fashion Show at Empire Rooftop

March 30, 2012 - High above the magnificent city lights of New York City, directly overlooking the world famous Lincoln Center - home to fashion week where countless designers have made their mark in the world - is the Empire Hotel rooftop lounge.  Herbert Fox Productions has been promoting Friday night fashion shows here since the beginning of 2012 and what a huge success his parties have been, fusing the pulse of nightlife with fashion runway shows. Herbert (an original member of Studio 54) has deep ties to the garment industry as his father owned a sew shop there for 67 years. He has connections to some of the world’s top designers but it is here that he gives emerging talented designers a chance to showcase their collections to a chic, upscale audience in an intimate setting with the city of New York as the backdrop.

This weekend Lawrence Pizzi is the featured designer for this Vogue Italia meets Vogue Nippon disco inspired evening.  Described by his friends as a “fun, happy Italian guy that should be living in Tokyo,” I was delighted to be given the opportunity to interview him my blog: Urban Gypsy Tales.

Q: How did you come up with the concept of the Japanese/Italian fusion of clothing:

Lawrence:  I am Italian and love Japanese culture; it is such a fun, happy lifestyle. My clothing captures that lifestyle along with beautiful tailoring, the expensive fabrics and all the detailing that make it Italian. I make sexy clothes – for my menswear collection, even the men in skirts look sexy!

Around this time, his models arrived out on the deck where we were seated and I had the chance to not only see the clothing, but touch the fabrics and enjoy the essence of his creations.  Garments with lace, ribbons of leather and exquisite beading. Cardigans that look prim and proper from the front but as the model turns around, the back has a sexy laser cut with leather, which is like butter to touch.  There are a lot of sequin pieces for men and women and cashmere knits. One of his assistants was wearing a leopard printed cardigan which is actually from the men’s collection showing just how versatile and unisex his clothing line is.

“The collection, he said, is about movement – not about fabric flowing through the wind type of movement; it is about humans and how we move on the planet earth.  The clothes are modern for any culture. We have become a village, the whole planet - we are one.”

I also found out a little background info regarding his roots: His Mother was a computer genius and father was a nuclear physicist - Out of this was born Lawrence Pizzi - fashion designer extraordinaire! He went to school in Philadelphia for merchandising, and then on to Milan to learn how to make suits. “I love to wake up every day knowing I am doing what I love to do.” For more information on Lawrence Pizzi’s collection, visit his website.

Until next time, Ciao and Sayonara!

Urban Gypsy
www.urbangypsynyc.com