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You can only be truly accomplished at
something you love. Pursue the things you love doing and
do them so well that
people can't take their
eyes off you. All the other tangible
rewards will come
as a result.
~ Maya Angelou
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| Buon Viaggio Blog |
The theme this month is Richly Resourceful. | |
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INSPIRED LIVELIHOOD IN ACTION
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Photo courtesy of Betty Belts |
Last weekend when I headed to California to visit my family,
I had a short list of things I wanted to do while there. One of those items was
to visit Betty Belts, a small shop in Ventura which had recently bestowed one
of their tote bags on my sister Margaret in a store contest. Although I didn't
need a belt, Margaret insisted I needed to see the store.
She was absolutely right. From the moment we entered this
cozy shop, I knew we were in a special place. I learned that the store is named
after a pioneering woman surfer who inspired other women to master the sport.
We began our visit by admiring the beautiful silver jewelry
made by the group of artisans that stock the store. Owner/Designer Donna von
Hoesslin was puttering about the place. Within a few minutes, I discovered that
she was passionate about jewelry, the environment, surfing and Bali, Donna has
found a way to integrate all these passions into her life.
She also proudly announced that her business had recently
reached its seventh anniversary. The shop is a recent addition to the
successful online business that Donna's run for most of that time.
When I admired a bracelet she was wearing she told me the
story of its inception. She and several members of Team Betty had gone to Bali,
Donna challenged them to each come up with a new jewelry design, give it a name
and choose a cause that would receive 15% of the profits from its sales. The
bracelet she was wearing was called Compassion and the designer had been so
moved by the huge number of stray dogs in Bali that her cause was a pet rescue
mission there.
Jewelry wasn't all that this shop had to offer, however.
There are magnificent scarves imported from Bali, large framed photographs of
surfers taken by Donna's boyfriend, and her own signature beaded belts.
I'm quite sure that Margaret and I were both smiling when we
walked back to my car.
"I just love meeting people who love what they do so much,"
Margaret said. Of course, I agreed. All that passion is positively contagious
when it's put to such good use.
After I got home, I paid a visit to her gorgeous Web site
where I read, "Donna von Hoesslin takes her inspiration from her love of the
ocean and the beach lifestyle, combined with the influence of 17 years of
living in Europe.
"She believes in giving back where she can and does so by
supporting many causes, among which are environmental fundraisers, at-risk
youth, women's surfing (through athlete and event sponsorship), 1% For The
Planet Membership, Coop America, and support for the mostly female artisans in
Bali who make the products and much more."
This lovely field trip reminds me that people who practice inspired livelihood just
keep spreading all that goodness around.
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APRIL SHOWERS
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 Years ago, I decided to designate April as the Month of
Abundance. After all, I reasoned, there are many kinds of showers so why not go
for the good ones? Now that this harbinger of spring (and new ideas) is here,
I've rounded up some resources to help expand abundance in your life.
The first of these is a terrific new e-book from the
creative sisters, Sally Evans and Susan Volpe. I had a sneak peak and loved the
ideas and attitudes they share in Creative Money Saving Ideas.
Here's how the book came into being, according to Sally.
One of the most common things I hear
friends, family, and clients say is that they don't have the money to do the
things they want.
I've said it myself many times.
And then I remember that there is a
solution to every problem!
My sister, Susan, and I were talking one day
about how we manage to live a good quality of life, even when finances have
been tight.
Susan and I decided to write an e-book
about some of the things we do to create abundance in our lives without being
penny pinchers or cheap. It's about really doing the things you want to do
and enjoying life.
We are proud to announce the birth of our
e-book, Creative Money Saving Ideas.
It is part abundance mindset, and
learning to think about possibilities so you can choose to have the things that
will bring you more joy and happiness and what you really want in life.
And it is part practical and fun
strategies to help you save money. It has over 100 tips. Some of them are
great reminders and some will be brand new to you. And they may spark
some of your own ideas too.
Creative Money Saving Ideas
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TELECLASSES ARE BACK
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 After a bit of a hiatus while I was working on several
exciting new projects, comfy teleclasses are back and all three are aimed at
helping you create more abundance in your business and life.
The new series kicks off with How to be a Thrifty
Entrepreneur Without Being a Cheapskate. on Monday, April
12. How can you be smart, thrifty and creative in building your business
without be cheap and stodgy? That's what we'll be exploring here along with
showing you practical ways to use your imagination more and your pocketbook
less.
The following week, we'll be going Beyond the $100
Hour where we'll explore ideas to help you develop a healthier
relationship with the money aspect of your entrepreneurial life and develop a
relaxed and confident approach to creating a steady cash flow. This is not a
Make Big Money Fast approach, but a thoughtful exploration of incremental
growth. Tuesday, April 20
The series concludes with the ever popular I Hate
Marketing on Thursday, April 22. Since developing ease with marketing is a
big challenge for many new (and not so new) entrepreneurs, this teleclass will
give you ideas for marketing in ways that are both fun and effective.
You'll also receive a nifty discount if you register for two
or more seminars at the same time. And, as always, all teleclasses will be
recorded so you'll receive the audio download whether you can attend in person
or not.
Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses
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| WHO EARNS MORE? |
According to the Small
Business Success Index, more than half of homebased business owners, from
artists to contractors, are 55-plus. Roughly 35% bring in more than $125K and
owners' median household incomes are about $75K-above the national median of
just over $52K.
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LIVING ABROAD
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 Lately, I have been reconnecting with some of my favorite
expats. Frances Mayes new book, Every Day in Tuscany has been
delighting me and on my recent road trip to California I took Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country audiobook along for company.
Then there's DeeAnne White's 100 Reasons to Become an
Expatriate. When I posted this list on Facebook, it got a lively response.
Bet you can find a reason here that fits you.
100 Reasons to Become an Expatriate
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YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED
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Pay a visit (or several) to Buon Viaggio blog this month
where the theme is Richly Resourceful. I'll be sharing lots of ideas for
mobilizing the resources you already have.
We've also extended the deadline for joining our Pardnership
Posse until April 10. There are two spots left and if you want to claim one of
them, do it now. Besides having the fun of helping shape our upcoming Jamboree
in Austin, TX, I predict our Posse members are going to find new long-term
friends. Awesome group assembling here.
Pardnership Posse
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Buona fortuna,
Barbara Winter
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Winning Ways | PO Box 800971, Valencia, CA 91380
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