Authenticity is critical for creating a powerful personal brand. But, how can you truly capture and communicate your authenticity, especially online? What’s the real impact of one-of-a-kind images on your business – as well as your confidence? Get ready for some answers!

In this episode, I spoke with Kim Brundage, a photographer in Richmond, VA who specializes in personal branding sessions for women entrepreneurs and professionals. Her unique approach is designed to remove the awkwardness of a photo session so you can capture what your best customers and clients really want – the real, authentic you.

Click to listen and learn:

• Why creating a powerful personal brand is critical for every business owner and professional
• Why authenticity is a big deal in today’s market place
• How to have personal branding consistency without being boring
• Kim’s unique personal branding process for capturing your essence and authenticity
• The impact of unique personal branding images on your business and your confidence

Whether it’s changing regulations or new funding options, obtaining a loan for your business can feel like a mystery. It’s time to pull back the curtain and demystify commercial lending.

In this episode, I chatted with Chris Layne, Senior Vice-President and Director of Commercial Banking at EVB. For over 10 years Chris has been helping local small business owners get the funds they need to operate, expand, and grow their business. He’s also made an impact on his hometown of Huntington, WV as a co-founder of TeamKRL, a non-profit organization that provides life skills to middle school and high-school students.

Click to listen and learn:

• The most common reasons business owners need a loan
• What’s the difference between a business loan and a line of credit
• The most important aspect to getting a loan that most business owners overlook
• Why you should be wary of unsolicited commercial loans from unfamiliar institutions
• What steps to expect in the commercial loan process
• Who ultimately decides if your business loan gets approved
• How you can benefit even if your loan isn’t approved

Your business is growing, you need more room, and you’ve found the perfect space! In all your excitement (and relief), don’t sign on the dotted line until you fully understand the leasing agreement and negotiate what you want. Today’s guest reveals her pro tips to negotiate a commercial leasing agreement so you avoid common pitfalls and get the best terms.

In this episode, I spoke with Katherine Watson, President of Manakins Farms, a real estate and development company, and Co-Founder of Office Alternatives, a co-working space, both in Richmond, VA. A big part of her day is spent leasing space to tenants. So, we tapped into Katherine’s expertise about what to do and what to avoid to set yourself up for the best commercial leasing agreement possible.

Click here to listen and learn:

• The biggest mistake most make when entering into a commercial leasing agreement
• Exactly when you should hire an attorney to review your lease
• What should be included in a Letter of Intent (LOI)
• The savvy question that will reveal hidden Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees
• How to turn landlord funds for Tenant Improvements (TI) into your rent abatement
• How to avoid being stuck with HVAC repairs that can blow your budget
• A big mistake tenants assume regarding water, sewer and utility costs

Is your personal productivity in the tank from the daily deluge of email and requests? Tempted to leave everything unanswered and start over somewhere else? You’ll be good for a week, maybe.

A savvy gal Amy shared with me that she was about to start the new position. But she had a big dilemma:

“My new position involves managing and tracking a LOT more activities. My email inbox has grown beyond my comfort and I want to implement some good strategies to start my new position positively, to being organized and to go full speed ahead.

Any advice, like going to my local office supply store to see if they have some type of magical notebook?”

Oh, if only there were a magical notebook! Whoever creates that product will save the world by increasing every hard working professional woman’s productivity, efficiency, and, most importantly, her sanity.

Until then, here are 3 ideas I shared with Amy to create her own magic. Not very glam, but they work. They can give your wand some new mojo, too!

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LinkedIn is one of the largest social media platforms in the world – and it’s changing. How will the new platform design affect you? How can you use LinkedIn to actively grow your business?

In this episode, I talked with Cheryl Matt, owner of CBM Business Consulting in Richmond, VA. Cheryl implements practical tools and strategies for business owners and professionals to get more done in less time. With four proven strategies, her clients save 2 to 10 hours or more per week – and become more profitable.

Click to listen and learn:

• How LinkedIn has changed and what to expect from the new platform
• The number one reason why every business owner should be on LinkedIn
• Savvy ways to use LinkedIn to identify new prospects
• Three essentials every business owner must have for a powerful Personal Profile
• What is a Company Page and how to leverage it to showcase your business
• Practical ways to make LinkedIn part of your daily routine

Other than being dressed appropriately, weddings and professional events don’t have much in common, except for one big thing.  There’s little to no planning for what happens afterward!

As one meeting planner told me:  “The event is the thing.  Check the box and it’s done. It’s like focusing on your wedding with no real thought about what happens after.” Another meeting planner shared:  “Post-event engagement.  That’s where I’m a loser.  I’m burnt out and so is my committee.”

Here are 3 strategies to increase your event’s take-away value and “happily ever after.”

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Want to spend less time at the bank and more time growing your business? Love the idea of the cash in your account making you money while you sleep? Ever had someone try to cash your check with extra zeros?

In this episode, I chatted with Barry Almond, Senior VP and Director of Treasury Management at EVB. You might be thinking “Treasury what?”

Treasury Management at EVB is all about helping business owners just like you save time, save money, make money and protect your hard-earned money. From one-person businesses to organizations with dozens of employees, Treasury Management can help savvy business owners at every level.

Click to listen and learn:

• How to easily manage your business banking while you’re on the go
• Two simple, quick ways to deposit checks without going to a bank branch
• What are bank “sweeps” that have nothing to do with a broom, but offer a possible way to “clean up”
• How to make money overnight with the cash in a business checking account
• Several electronic payment options that trim costs and save time
• The smart way to hold on to your hard-earned money by verifying checks in real-time

Did you run out of time today? Again? Ugh, it seems you never have enough time.

You begin your work day with full intention of being productive and before you know it your boss asked you to take care of something, your co-worker needed information for her 11 am meeting, a client called with an emergency, and your chatty colleague just had to tell you all the details about their weekend hiking trip. The day is over and your list is hardly done. It might even be longer!

Understandable, responsive, and entertaining, but you are left with a lingering to-do list and a really loud sucking sound from the time vacuum cleaner.

Productivity experts offer helpful suggestions such as managing your e-mail and social media, using productivity software, and getting organized. These can be useful tactics, but they can also be useless. You will never have enough time until you consistently do these two things.

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You work hard all year for your money. So make sure you don’t miss the most overlooked small business deductions when filing your taxes. And make sure you document them in a way the IRS likes!

In this episode, host Mary Foley talks with Donna Barwick, President and CEO of Barwick & Associates, a certified public accounting firm in Colonial Heights, VA. Donna shares frequently missed and often misunderstood write offs from over 30 years working with small business owners.

Plus, she gives great tips about how your business structure can save you taxes and strategic ways your accountant can help you run a better business.

Click to listen and learn:

• What is the best small business entity to reduce my taxes and risk?
• What are the most overlooked small business tax deductions?
• How do I legally write off meals as a business expense?
• What is the home office Safe Harbor deduction and should I take it?
• What real difference does it make if my personal and business expenses are in the same bank accounts?
• 3 ways an accountant can help me improve my business beyond filing taxes

Today there are more ways than ever to create a big marketing impact on a small budget. But how do you figure out the right marketing strategy and plan for your business so you aren’t throwing away precious time and money?

This episode I found out by talking with Michelle Hastings Simon, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at EVB and co-founder of the P.O.W.E.R program. Michelle’s creative brain never stops, which is one reason why she’s been so successful. Another is that her positive energy is contagious.

She’s loaned her talents to agencies like Charles Ryan and financial institutions including Bank of VA, First Community Bank, Cap One and now EVB. One of her biggest strengths is moving easily from vision and strategy to implementation, problem-solving and follow through. Now we get to pick her brain!

Click to listen and learn:

• Why a marketing strategy is so important
• 4 steps to develop a successful marketing plan on a small (or large!) budget
• One common mistake when creating your marketing plan and how to avoid it
• How to know what your customers really want so you can truly connect
• Practical ways to stretch your budget and produce results
• How the EVB P.O.W.E.R. program can help you develop your plan and promote your business