It’s a funny question to ask now. My husband and I have been talking for years about where would we live. We both enjoy warm weather and sitting outside. I also love the change of seasons. My good friend Leeanne talks about living in a place 3 months at a time. So.. I’m a little confused. What would home look like, would I be able to move from place to place to place without having any roots’ One that that would have to change is I’m a paper JUNKIE! As I’d transition my life — I’m going to have to do 2 things. 1. be less messy so that I have what I need and can travel lightly and 2. learn to go paperless. Those are HUGE hurdles for me, but once I make that transition the question still is where will I live”

I would love to spend my summers locally here in New England. Summer at times is slow to arrive but when it does boy is it glorious. During the winter the month of February can get a little rough. I know it’s only 28 days, but those 28 days can be LONG and did I mention COLD. In February I’ve had my fill of coats, hats and gloves.  I’d like to find a nice warm place to work for that month. One of my husband’s friends feels the same way and over the past few years, she’s gone to Argentina, Miami and the Bahamas. Her only requirement is that where she lives is in the same time zone as the East Coast. That seems like a good idea as I’d love to go with my husband and need to do that for his job.

So.. I don’t have a answer for that question. As look into my heart I have to ask am I’m looking to be a “suitcase entrepreneur” or just looking to be a entrepreneur that can travel with her business as needed. My gut is telling me it’s the later.

As we head into day 20 of the blog challenge I’m asked to find the tools that I will need to help me with make my vision of what Fab Fit Squad will become. Here are 3 tools that I will use:

1. Leadpages — this will be a simple way to explain on one page what I’m offering clients.
2. e-junkie — as I talked about in an earlier blog post, I told you I’d plan to offer information products. I’ve been wondering how to do it, so that once folks purchased the products I could easily let folks download it. This  product allows me to do just that.
3. Virtual staff  — UNCLE!! Since 2010 I’ve been saying I was going to learn SEO for years and it’s just not something that comes easy for me. I’m putting out some really good stuff and I want folks to find me. So. I will need to find a resource that can help me with this project.

What are you working on’ What 3 tools will you need to put in your toolbox to make it work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, we all need a helping hand from time to time.

Today’s blog challenge is all about how will I build and grow influence. It will be a three step approach.

1. Reach out to bloggers and other social media folks.  In the past Ive been really active within the blogshere and social media. I need to get back into the habit of connecting with other bloggers and folks on social media. I will research 10 bloggers that I can partner with to do joint ventures as well as work together to guest blog on each others blogs and social profiles. Be consistent with my social media presence. Make sure that I’m active on social media daily for at least 15 min so it doesn’t become a time suck.
2. Build a PR database. Last week, I meet with a local business icon and she told me the way she built her business was by doing PR. In the late 90s I knew how to do this, but this is a whole new era. I will now  need to figure out who the local fitness PR players are as well as the influential fitness/health blogs.
3. Be visible. I’ve been told to make videos for YEARS!! Now is the time to step up and do it!!
4. Find a good writer. I talked about this in building my team, but I need to do this ASAP. To help me build my growing audience and to reach out to the press.

Last but not least is take action. This blog challenge has been AWESOME. I was told that I have many ideas, but I never follow through for the past almost 19 days that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been making this challenge a must day. Even if I get behind by a few days I make up for.  Thank you Suitcase Entrepreneur for showing me what taking action looks like and feels like.

I know that I can’t do everything alone. I will work with my friends and current clients to help expand and shout my message from the roof tops Okay maybe not rooftops. But you get what I’m trying to say.

It’s taken me a few years to realize that while YES I can do it all by myself. It’s really not the FUN!!!. As stated in an earlier blog,  one of my main goals is to have FUN! To do this I will work with others who can help support me and my clients.  The first company I have partnered with is Isagenix.

They are based in Aroniza and thier products and company culture embody what I want my company to be about. They have a no compromise policy — this is taken directly from their website. The company strives to meet and exceed the very GMPs that the Food and Drug Administration requires under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. These guidelines cover authenticity, quarantine/release procedures, potency and purity testing of raw materials and finished products, cleanliness of the facility, employee training, documentation, and other areas. We also adhere to detailed written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and safety in each phase of our manufacturing process. To read more about it click here.

As I move forward and further flesh out my brand, I will be looking to work with companies that I can truly stand behind and with confidence tell my clients that they will help them to achieve their goals. My business is about sharing my passion and if it’s not a product I have taken or have used, it’s not something I would promote or recommend to my clients. I have integrity and want to earn and keep your trust.

I’ve had this blog since 2008 and since then it’s been a little wishy washy.  I’ve written about many health topics and they have been all over the map. Now I need to put a stake in the  ground and get real about what this blog is about and how you and I can interact and help each other. It’s about to get real up in here!

Today’s blog challenge is what 3 ways will I work with you to build credibility and trust.

1. Being myself and speaking my truth. For the past 6 months I have been bloated. As ladies we all know that we go through the time of the month that you are bloated. Well.. for me it was a gradual process as a health person, I focused on my diet and exercise. I increased the intensity of my workouts, cleaned up my diet as well as eliminated certainly food groups that are known to cause inflammation. Well.. little did I know I had a fibroid. It’s roughly the size of an orange. That is why I was so bloated. When I went to see my gyn she told me that my uterus was the size of someone who was four months regnant. So.. I guess that explains why I’ve looked like I’ve had a big lunch for the past few months. I’m working with my gyn on  a treatment protocol. Because of my bloating I had hid behind words until I could get my physique to the way I wanted it before I stepped in front of the camera again. Now, no more hiding!!
2. Find folks who resonate with me. I am driven, I enjoy helping folks achieve their goals, I can be a little hard core, I something don’t have social foreplay, I believe that my clients have the answer and that by asking the right questions, I can help them find their truth to what’s hold them back. I do misspell words, my grammar sucks when I get excited about what I’m writing about. I was a corporate marketing professional who traveled 100,000 miles so I know what it’s like to be crazy busy and have someone else determine your schedule. I get it.
3. Be social regularly. When I do it I’m great and consistent. Then I fall off the wagon completely. When I am regular folks comment and like pics of what I’m doing. I don’t post those selfish (no offense to those that do) that’s not me style. I use social media as a running commentary. I post pics of what I find humorous, what’s going on around me and occasionally forcing a couple selfie with my husband.

One last thing I plan to do is reach out to my blog community. I was really good about talking to other bloggers when I started, but since I’ve become a bad friend. So.. I want reach out to other fitness and health bloggers who can compliment my message.

When you start your business you thing you are going to do everything yourself. Mainly because that’s all you can afford. Then one day you find that you are doing more work in your business than on your business and your are drowning. You are doing more administrative tasks and less business building tasks and worst not spending time with your clients.

So.. over the next 90 days I will work to develop someone who can help me with writing. Not because I’m not a good writer, but writing takes me awhile and I’d rather have more frequent blog updates by someone with whom writing comes really easily.
The other place I plan to outsource is having someone help me with videos. I’ve been saying for YEARS that I’m going to do videos and I have never done them. I need some help.  Someone who’s good a shoot them and helping me with the editing. I know they don’t need to be oscar worthy, but don’t choppy and shaky. I’m a bit of a control freak so I’m going to go out of my way to ensure that I empower the folks who will be part of my team.

Each month I send out a newsletter to everyone on my list. I share with you recipes, workouts, an interesting healthy article that you take action on and a new product that I’m using. I would like to increase my communication to you to every other week.

If there is anything else you’d like to hear about, please let me know.

I’ve been doing a newsletter for over 3 years. I started doing it weekly and then found that when I changed to monthly readership increase. So.. I’m hoping that when I start to do it bi monthly you will like it as well.

For those of you who , get my emails I ‘m sure you see the value in it, but I would love to have other receive it as well. I need to develop an offer on my website and on my social media channels to recruit new member for the squad.

Today is day 14 of the blog challenge and it’s starting get REAL. I’m digging deep and really putting together a sustainable and most importantly FUN business.
Today’s blog is about the 2 habits that millionaires have that you will incorporate into your business.

1. Millionaires move forward and don’t let excuses get in their way. Powerful huh, I don’t care what goal you are trying to achieve it’s so easy to let your excuses tell you a story AKA lie.  You will tell yourself why things won’t work or why that person won’t want to hear from or why they wont’ help you. That has to stop. This past weekend I have written out my goals and really start to track my daily activities. I have typed out my goals and posted them through out my house.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask! Here is something that I recently read that just hit me like a ton of bricks.

• If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same spot.

Here something that smacked me between the eyes about how powerful this is. I met this women Yolanda at a business networking event. She ran an successful bridal and special event dress business in Boston for years. She was well known and respected. I sent her an email and she replied right back. I asked if I could run a business idea past her and do you know what she said’ She said yes!!!! WHAT!! She met me once at an event we had a little connection and she said yes.  That was such an AHA moment!!

How I will make money is I will sell ebooks about workouts motivation and setting goals. I will also continue to coach clients. I love working with clients helping them to achieve their goals and I will partner products and/or services that will help clients to achieve goals.

What price would you put on having peace of mind that your body is receiving quality protein daily’ Consider that a recent report from ConsumerLab.com found 31 percent of other protein powders reviewed failed to meet the claims they advertised and/or were contaminated with excess heavy metals.

For the report, ConsumerLab.com bought, tested, and analyzed the quality of 17 protein-based products that are used for everything from bodybuilding to weight management. What they found was surprising: some protein powders exceeded limits for lead, contained more carbohydrates or cholesterol than advertised, or less protein than advertised.

A total of five products out of the 17 tested and ConsumerLab.com gave them a “Not Approved” grade—as in “Buyer Beware”. The products were tested to check the accuracy of label claims (total calories, total protein, etc.) as well as possible lead contamination. The products that raised red flags were then sent to another independent lab to confirm the findings.

Of the five products that failed to meet testing requirements, quality problems they had included:

• Less protein than what’s listed: One product actually had 16 fewer grams of protein than listed on the label—that’s almost 70 percent less! Also, the same product had 16 more grams of carbs than listed, including 3 extra grams of sugar.
• Contaminated with lead: One protein-based meal replacement shake had 12.7 micrograms of lead per scoop, which can exceed daily limits (as outlined by U.S. and Health Canada regulatory guidelines) if two or more are consumed daily.
• More cholesterol and calories than what’s listed: One product that claimed to have “0 mg” of cholesterol actually had 10.2 mg. Another product had 25.7 additional calories per serving.

For consumers who are looking to meet health or athletic goals with products like these, it’s easy to see how inaccuracies could be problematic. That’s why it pays to have a company like Isagenix with a “No Compromise” quality policy.

Isagenix products are rigorously tested to be sure they meet label claims. This means that when the label says “24 grams protein,” it’s what you’re getting. Our Isagenix Quality Assurance department performs routine testing of label claim accuracy for the duration of each product’s shelf life, too.

The strict quality policy at Isagenix also involves testing of raw ingredients and finished products for microbial activity, pesticides, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. Isagenix uses independent laboratories for testing to guarantee quality and safety.

The process that Isagenix uses for continual inspection of raw materials and analysis of finished products is an expensive enterprise. Because of the high cost of testing, other companies will often cut corners and avoid such extensive testing. At Isagenix we believe that meeting and exceeding safety guidelines is absolutely necessary as integrity and the health of our customers, friends, and family is paramount.

Once again, as evidenced by this latest report from ConsumerLab.com, you just can’t trust every protein powder or drink product you come across.

Reference:  Product review: protein powders and drinks (for body building, sports and dieting). ConsumerLab.com 2013.

I love this blog challenge because it’s all about simple micro actions. This is what I tell my clients it’s not about big sweeping moving, but taking tiny steps forward toward your goals.

Today’s blog focus is what 3 things can I do change my blog.

1. Clear Calls To Action — How do we interact with each other. Make it easy for you to understand what you are a suppose to do once you get to the site. How can you work with me’ How do I make so you want to hang out with me and join the squad in some capacity.
2. Clear and Consistent Content — This challenge has really helped me get clear about what I want the blog to be about. During this challenge I want to get consistent with my posting.
3. Clean Up My Service Offerings — What is it that I offer clients’ KISS ~ Keep It Simple Stupid.

How about you’ Think of 3 things that you can improve and leave me a comment below.

Today is all about what makes me special. It’s about why you would choose to work with me. This one was particular hard for two reasons. 1. I don’t really like to shine the spotlight on me, I’m more of a background stage manager type person. and 2. It caused me to get really deep and think about what I really want and be very open. I’m usually the one asking the questions to help you open up and get to the heart of  what you are really feeling. Now.. this was the spotlight being put on me and my feelings and that’s not something I really do. I’m the one asking questions (not in a police interrogation kind of way) or the smart ass in the corner telling jokes.

1. 1. What are you better at than anyone else’ No, I don’t think I’m better than anyone. I just think I have a different approach from a number of trainers. I believe the YOU the client has the answer. I don’t. I work with you to meet you where they are. Using questions and listening to you to better understand your motivations behind making a changes in your life.
   2. What do you enjoy doing the most’ Helping you achieve your dreams. I can see the strengths in you and will breathing belief into you when you don’t or can’t believe in yourself. I enjoy showing you how to stop dieting and embrace your changes as a lifestyle.
   3. What do (or could) you provide that no one else is providing’ I listen to all the facts and work with you to brainstorm different solutions that will work best for you. Together we create a road map leading you to your dreams. This is so POWERFUL!
   4. What annoys people the most about your industry or blog area’ When folks get on their high horse and telling YOU  what YOU need to do without any flexibility. I also get frustrated with the bootcamp type instructors/fitness professionals who believe in no pain no gain. If you aren’t hobbling the next day it’s not a workout. Running/treadmill sprints and balls to the wall cardio each and everyday is not the way to get leaner it’s the way to an over training, overuse injury.  Now.. I’m not giving your carte blanche to eat fried foods and ice cream. But I do believe in meeting you where you are. I also believe in a safe and sensible approach.
   5. What is remarkable about you’ I have a sense of humor. I don’t take myself so seriously. I’m honest to a fault. You will always know where I stand. I will also hold you accountable to helping you to achieve your goals and dreams. If you want to achieve your dreams I’m your girl.
   6. Do you have an unusual combination of elements’ What is unusual about me is also remarkable about me is my unusual combinations of elements. I have a sense of humor, a way of explaining fitness concepts in layman terms to you so that your really understand.  I have a way of putting you at ease, encouraging you to answer questions openly and honestly. This is the first big step toward permanent change.
   7. Do you have a big personality’ Yes. I can sometimes be a loud and over the top type of person. It’s just that I”m sure passionate about what I do for a living that I can be a get a little excited.

They say no 2 snowflakes are a like and I feel the same way about trainer relationships and their clients. Each relationships has its on fingerprint and each client approach is different based on where they are in life.

This day 11 of my blog challenge is here is where it great real for me! I have to choose. I need to make a clear and definitive decision! For years, I’ve been you must have multiple streams of revenue. To me this meant you did a little of this and a little of that and in the end it all helped to pay your bills. I was told by a very wise person and it took quite some time for it to sink into my thick skull.  Scattered focus. Scattered attention. The other quote that has been popping up in my head is Guard your focus like it’s a briefcase filled with $1 Million dollars.  Now’s the time to put it out to the world!!!

I will sell myself.  Now get your mind out of the gutter! =) I will sell my knowledge. I’ve been a health and fitness professional for several years and in that time have gained  a ton of knowledge. My main focus has been working with women who are in their forties and who are looking to get their groove back, they want to get their health and fitness back into their lives. Selling myself includes — regularly blogging, getting in front of the video camera and letting my clients hear my via podcasts.

As I’m selling myself, I will work create information products and work with other manufacturers that sell products that will enhance my clients goals. This will enable to me make residual income.