La Dolce Vita Retreats

Plans are underway for the introduction of La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC’s newest program, “A Taste of La Dolce Vita Retreats“, a series of mini-retreats to be held at the The Resort at Pelican Hill  in Newport Coast, CA.   The resort is the only hotel property in the United States to feature retreats by Janice Briggs, founder of La Dolce Vita Retreats,LLC.  The sites for her other retreats are in France, Italy and the Bahamas.   Debuting at the Resort at Pelican Hill will be a mini-version of her signature Mother- Daughter retreat and a new series of women’s mini-retreats focused on writing workshops; portrait photography shoots; cooking classes and mixed media art workshops.  All classes will encompass her holistic practices of health and wellness, creating passion and balance in one’s life and creating the optimum life you want to live.

“The Resort at Pelican Hill  sits perched upon 504 acres of sun-drenched, terraced hillsides.  Inspired by the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, The Resort village- with its grand rotundas and stately colonnades” features luxurious accomodations and unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean.

Details for the mini-retreats will be posted in late February.

Are you giving away the “front seats” in your life to the wrong people or issues?  I’ll share a paragraph with you that really describes the evaluation process for me that led me to create La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC.  The author is unknown.

Front Row Seats

Life is a theater – Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize, your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships.

Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don’t really understand, know or appreciate you?

The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life. You cannot change the people around you…but you can change the people you are around!

–Author Unknown

I created the idea for La Dolce Vita Retreats, LLC because I wanted to create a positive “space” for women who wanted to live exceptional lives - lives that embrace learning and sharing;  new experiences and challenges; mutual support and nurturing; growth, health and wellness.   I realized that I wanted this first and foremost for myself.  The path to La Dolce Vita enabled me to create the life I envisioned, incorporating my values and my interests,  and to stop procrastinating and making excuses for putting that vision on the “backburner”.  To do so required that I really evaluate how I was spending my time and with whom I was spending my time.  One of the most difficult questions I pondered was  ”to whom and/or to what was I giving the ‘front seats’ in the theatre of my life?”  Why? What was it costing me in terms of manifesting my dream?

So I ask you?  Are you giving away the front seats in your life appropriately?  Do the people or issues taking that space fulfill you, encourage and support you?

Blessings,

Janice

Everyone has their own style of working, living etc.  We often compromise that sense of style because of external factors.  Ultimately, we need to find the style that works for each of us so that the end result is success.  Success is many different things to many different people.  Once you define what it is in life that you wish to accomplish, once you have created the vision for the life you want to live, what are the next steps?  What is your plan of action that will enable you to manifest that dream?  Here’s an example of someone who is planning her nexts steps in her way.  Kudos to her!  In her own words, ….

Michelle McCullough, Startup Princess Business Development Manager and Owner of Doodads Promotional writes: I don’t believe in New Years Resolutions, but, before you judge (or think that I’m judging you) hear me out. In the past, I have started each year with a renewed sense of accomplishment and positive thinking.  I follow up this cheery thought with ambitious goals.  Lose 20 pounds, make X amount of money, send birthday cards to family on time…the list goes on. A couple months later I lose my positive attitude and stop focusing on my resolutions and then I fall into a slippery slope that ends in a mild depression. Then it takes me a couple of months to get out of my why-can’t-I-keep-a-resolution funk and get on with my life. Last year, at the beginning of 2008 I didn’t make a single resolution or a single New Years goal, I created a vision board and it was the best year of my life. 

Though I haven’t been able to get back to my pre-baby weight (my son, Gavin, was born January 8th), I’m still struggling with getting birthday wishes to the ones I love BEFORE their birthday, and I had one of the worst years for revenue (are there bailouts for small businesses?? Just kidding.).  All that said I’ve never felt better about myself.  I didn’t have to get over the why-can’t-I-keep-a-resolution blues, which made my year all the better.

Does that mean that I don’t periodically set goals or evaluate where I am and where I can improve? No.  Does that mean that I didn’t have goals last year or things that I wanted to accomplish?   Certainly not.  I had a very productive year and made some great strides in my business.  I just went about it a different way.

Here’s what I do:

I create a vision board.  I updated it in September of this year for my session at the Startup Princess Touchpoint conference.  I have updated it for 2009 and am sharing a picture of it with you, here.  I like seeing my dreams in pictures.  I have a picture that represents my financial goals – even though I don’t put the actual number.  I have a visual of my marketing and media opportunities and ways I want to expand my business.  I even have pictures of the new office furniture I want, which sounds silly, but that’s the same way I got my new flatbed scanner.  I like visualizing myself having already achieved these goals.  I like to trust the universe and what God has in store for me, because I know that He thinks more good for me and my business, than I do for myself.

I take time, once a month, to relax, reflect, ponder and review.  I look at what I did, I look at what I didn’t do, and I look at what I want to do next.  Goals and resolutions are not a yearly thing for me; I work best in smaller chunks of time.  Though I get most of my success for imagining the end result and the big picture, from there I work backwards to break down my dreams into smaller manageable tasks and activities, and that’s where achievement takes place for me.

Finally, I say “no” a lot more.  I’ll admit I have a ways to go, but in 2008 I became a little more of myself and said no to events, opportunities and activities that didn’t bring me closer to the vision of my perfect life.  Sometimes that meant saying “no” to evening computer time and focusing on my family.  Sometimes that meant saying “no” to business lunches or partnerships that were more one-sided (and not in my favor).  I remind myself that my son is in the middle of my vision board for a reason.  I remind myself that I chose to own my own business so that I could have flexibility and so that I can rule my own time and not let others do it for me.

My final thought is do what’s best for you.  Though this one little change in my life has done wonders for my self-esteem and productivity, it may not work for everyone.  I don’t judge those who have blog posts on January first with New Year’s Resolutions.  In fact, I read them and send good thoughts to friends and family that want this year to be a good year.  I believe that there’s room for all of us to create the lives we want to have – even if we go about it differently.

What about you? Are you a successful resolution maker and keeper?  Do you have a system that has helped you grow in business and family? Are you making resolutions this year or is this the year that you give yourself a chance to try a new approach to life balance?

Besides being the Business Development Manager for Startup Princess, Michelle McCullough is mom to a sweet little baby boy and runs her own startup, Doodads Promotional  Products, which has been in operation for over 9 years

This is a message I received from my colleague Marta Soto, a real whiz in internet marketing.  What I appreciate about Maria is that she is so confident about her knowledge and expertise that she is not afraid to share it.  By sharing it, she not only provides benefits to others but she also projects herself as an expert and thereby creates business for herself.  She creats a buzz!   It’s a win-win for all.  As many of you who already know me are aware, I thoroughly embrace collaboration, the sharing of knowledge and the creative co-partnering among diverse and/or competing businesses in order to acheive the bigger picture and better benefits for all.  My middle name really should have been collaboration! 

So, kudos to Marta Soto!  Enjoy is suggestions listed below as you begin another exciting week!  Visit her website if you want to lean more about her!  www.prdepotchicago.com

Blessings,

Janice

Sometimes all you need is a good read….My favorite business books!

Each book on this list was chosen because it was fresh and remarkable in some way and offer practical advice for entrepreneurs and those running small businesses that you can implement right away. Each book can help you get and keep profitable customers, and be a better, more successful business owner. Be prepared for lots of things you thought you already knew. * Special offer at the end.

1. GROUNDSWELL – People are talking about companies and their products all over the Web … it’s a groundswell of activity. Written by two Forrester analysts and based on actual research with real companies of all sizes, this book introduces you to the world of social media and online communities.

Why Read This Book: Social Media isn’t going away. This book shows you how to weed through the morass of social media tools using a 4-step process to build a social media strategy for your business.

Key Take-Away: Start a blog and build a customer community around your product or service.

2. 7 TRIGGERS TO YES – By far, THE most practical book on the subject on sales and marketing influence and persuasion. What makes this book stand out from others on the subject is its simple, applicable practicality for the small business owner. Review of 7 Tiggers to Yes.

Why Read This Book: Russell Granger shows you how to apply the “triggers” in exercises that you can implement today to help you get what you want in your next meeting. Talk about immediate gratification.

Key Take-Away: Use the 7-Triggers Form to prepare for your next presentation.

3. NEUROMARKETING – The subtitle of this book reads, “Understanding the Buy Buttons in Your Customer’s Brain.” And that’s what this book explores, showing us how the right sales and marketing messages can bring a response from that part of the brain that decides to buy.

Why Read This Book: You will understand how the brain makes decisions and how you can focus your designs and messages to get customers to pick you.

Key Take-Away: Use vivid and contrasting examples in your marketing, like before and after shots. Tell an emotional story with the most important points at the beginning. Keep reasons to buy tangible and easy to grasp (a twelve-year-old should “get it”).

4. ILLUSIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP – Be prepared for lots of things you thought you knew about entrepreneurship to be debunked. Read a review of Illusions of Entrepreneurship.

Why Read This Book: Professor Scott Shane shows with hard data what it means to be a successful entrepreneur.

Key Take-Away: In an odd way this book is encouraging because it demonstrates that starting a business is hard work, and startups take time to grow. You may be right on track and doing better than you think, compared with others.

5. BUYOLOGY – Martin Lindstrom commissions one of the largest studies of what turns us on about particular products and marketing messages – and the results are surprising. Using MRI scanners to record brain activity, the study measures which products and ad messages evoke the most favorable response. For instance, you’ll learn why fear-based anti-smoking messages make smokers want to smoke more, not less. A fun and insightful read. Read a review of Buyology.

Why Read This Book: You will learn how to make ads and brand campaigns more effective.

Key Take-Away: It’s the emotions and colors that are tied to your brand experience that remind buyers of you.

6. REALITY CHECK – Hilarious, in-your-face business advice. Guy Kawasaki uses his engaging style to call out every moose on every boardroom table and then some. You won’t be able to stop yourself from flipping chapter to chapter to see what hysterical idiosyncrasy of entrepreneurship he’ll tear into next – and what you’ll learn from the process. Read a review of Reality Check. Another review here.

Why Read This Book: You can use this book as a sort of true-to-business encyclopedia. Got a difficult boss or client? Turn to the difficult boss chapter and get Guy’s insights.

Key Take-Away: Don’t ask for funding if you don’t already have customers. Another favorite is Guy’s 10-20-30 presentation rule; 10 slides, 20 minutes and 30-point type.

7. BACK OF THE NAPKIN – If you’re going to spend your meetings doodling, then you might as well use those doodles to solve real problems. This is an incredibly useful book for anyone that has to present complex persuasive information.

Why Read This Book: This book will make you a more creative problem solver.

Key Take-Away: The next time you have to communicate something – take the time to draw it out. You will get insights AND intrigue your audience.

8. RUB MY TUMMY AND IT’S A DEAL — A completely different business book, this is a collection of cartoons by Andertoons designed to make you laugh at yourself and your entrepreneurial or corporate circumstance. Use the cartoons to inspire your next meeting or get a message through with a smile. Read a review of Rub My Tummy.

Why Read This Book: It will make you smile.

Key Take-Away: You can use cartoons on your business cards or commission them for client presentations, to get your point across with humor.

9. MADE TO STICK – Why is it that some stories (like the juicy ones) go viral while your latest product launch stagnates? The Heath Brothers (Chip and Dan) give you the 6-step method on how to construct your own story or marketing message so that it will spread.

Why Read This Book: It outlines the six elements that make stories viral.

Key Take Away: Make your stories as visual and descriptive and emotionally charged as possible to make them memorable.

10. TOILET PAPER ENTREPRENEUR — Mike Michalowicz tells it like it is. This is the no BS guide to taking that idea and actually putting some action behind it. It’s written as if he’s right there in the room with you – not pulling any punches. Read a review of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.

Why Read This Book: You will feel better about your entrepreneurial prospects when you see how many creative low-cost resources are out there.

Key Take-Away: Mike’s 3-Sheet plan gets you inspired and focused to build, grow and manage your business right away.

11. COMPLEXITY CRISIS – Just walk through any supermarket and you’ll see an incredible proliferation of products. What you may not realize is that with all that choice comes more complexity. And the more complexity there is, the more cost there is. (Our bonus pick.) Review of Complexity Crisis here.

Why Read This Book: You will see the tell-tale signs of complexity that can bleed your profits dry — and how to eliminate complexity.

Key Take-Away: John Mariotti (previous CEO of Huffy and Rubbermaid Office Products) shows you where and how to recognize when complexity is hiding in your financial statement. If you’re not an accounting wiz – this is worth every page.

Marta Soto
PR | SEO | Online Marketing
Website Design Consulting
Marketing solutions for those on a budget.
www.prdepotchicago.com *Free ad spot for new customers.

 I am thrilled and honored to announce the appointment of Rita Farin to our roster of guest faculty.  Rita brings wonderfully creative writing workshops to our retreats, adding yet another vehicle for enriching our experiences and self-discovery.

Rita Farin is a writer, artist and creativity coach, dedicated to helping others unleash their imaginations to bring about new realities. Using a compassionate, nurturing coaching approach and playful techniques, Rita guides clients in releasing the issues that come up during the creative process and times of transition, including overwhelm, procrastination and resistance. The coaching process enables clients to create positive shifts in thinking and new habits needed for successful goal and dream attainment.

Through her interactive workshops and presentations, as well as her written articles, Rita provides additional support to those ready to create the lives they’ve always wanted. Workshops enable participants to reach deep inside themselves, remove blocks and begin taking small steps toward their biggest dreams. A contributing author to the Creativity Portal, Rita also blogs on her own transition to a creative life.

Rita’s professional background has always combined her love of business with her passion for creativity. Graduating from the University of Miami with a degree in International Finance and Marketing, Rita has created global brands and communications programs for high-tech companies in the US and Israel for the past 20 years. In 1998, she founded Calico Communications, an international marketing communications consultancy that continues to service select clients today.

As she pursued her marketing career, Rita continued to study the creative process intently over the years. She participated in numerous writing, art and language programs and workshops, including creative non-fiction classes at Stanford, Emory and Lesley Universities. To deepen her understanding of creativity, Rita interviewed artists from Cuba, Israel and the US and independently researched how expressive art therapy, acting, movement and guided imagery techniques affect the writing process. In 2005, Rita created an online artist community.

Rita grew up in a multi-cultural home, speaking Spanish with her Cuban mother and French father. Because of her love of language, travel and different cultures, she’s lived and studied in Israel and France as well as various cities in the US.

Workshops and Presentations

As part of the La Dolce Vita Retreats Guest Faculty, Rita teaches the following workshops:

Unleashing the words within

Through relaxation and play, this workshop series lets participants rediscover their own natural writing abilities. Using different modalities, including music and movement, we disengage the mind and let the words that have wanted to come out, flow through us and onto the page.

Dreaming with words

Through a series of playful, guided imageries and writing exercises, this workshop not only lets participants envision a new future, but also unleashes the power of their own words—helping manifest their innermost desires.

Take one small step toward a creative life

In this interactive presentation, participants learn ways to shift their thinking and actions to create the life they’ve always wanted. The stages of the creative process are explored, as well as how to take small steps, start playing and other compassionate ways to make transition easy, fun and sustainable.

We are thrilled to have Rita participate and proud to introduce her to our La Dolce Vita Women!

For more information about Rita, please visit her website at www.ritafarin.com.