ENTERPRISE + INITIATIVE Page 6 of 33

How To Kickstart Your Productivity This Weekend

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This is a guest post by one of the UK’s leading experts in digital distraction and digital detox, Frances Booth, author of The Distraction Trap: How to Focus in a Digital World, A Writer For All Seasons, and more productivity tips. Find out more about her here.

Frances Booth

Could you use your weekend to be more productive, not by cramming it full of work, but in other ways? 

Time away from the office is an important aspect of productivity. For a start, that’s when we get to choose for ourselves how we spend our time.

Often, however, when it gets to Monday morning we don’t feel refreshed or productive. We feel in need of another weekend before the week has even begun. [Tweet “What should you do at the weekend to help boost your productivity for the following week?”]

Here are some suggestions of strategies to experiment with.

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Do What You Love interview – Gemma Church

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Today we’re delighted to bring you this interview with Gemma Church, specialist journalist, blogger and copywriter for the science and technology sectors. Gemma runs her own successful freelance business and is a mum to two young boys so she knows a thing or two about the reality of juggling home and work life. She also has a pretty cool claim to fame: she appeared on the legendary Channel 4 game show ‘Countdown’ and managed to win one of the show’s elusive teapots!

We caught up with Gemma to find out about what life is really like as a freelance writer…

Gemma Church

1. How are you doing what you love?

During my career, I have worked between two of my greatest loves: writing and technology. Now that I work as “the freelance writer who gets tech”, I get to work on both.

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Do What You Love interview – Colin Wright

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Ever dream of living a life less ordinary? Then meet a man who is doing just that. 

Colin Wright is an author, entrepreneur, minimalist and full-time traveller. The world really is his office.

After living a corporate lifestyle in Los Angeles replete with a townhouse near the beach and so much excess income he owned eight computers, seven years ago he sold almost all his belongings and took a leap into the unknown.

He now moves to a new country every four months and has readers of his blog, Exile Lifestyle, vote to decide where to go next. Since 2009 he has lived all over the world doing everything from building brands for other companies in LA, to consulting on branding from the road, and building brands for himself. He has also started, and run, nearly a dozen medium, and small-scale, businesses in industries ranging from sustainable product design to subscription-based publishing technologies.

Now Colin makes a living by publishing books through a publishing company called Asymmetrical Press, which he co-founded with fellow authors, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus from The Minimalists. He also speaks around the world at schools, conferences, events, and businesses, and teaches classes and workshops.

The most important thing to know about Colin? He is fiercely devoted to creating a life that, in his own words, “leaves every option on the table.” ~ Rachel

Colin Wright standing
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Do What You Love interview – Nely Galán

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Today we’re excited to bring you this interview with Latina media dynamo and women’s empowerment advocate, Nely Galán. 

Galán is an Emmy Award winning producer, an advocate for gender equity, a successful entrepreneur, a real estate mogul, an inspiring teacher, speaker and consultant, a mother… and above all, she is SELF MADE.

Dubbed the “Tropical Tycoon” by The New York Times Magazine, Galán is one of the entertainment industry’s most savvy influencers. Through passion, hard work and determination Galán worked her way up to become the first female president of U.S. television network, Telemundo Entertainment and throughout her career she produced over 700 episodes of television in English and Spanish. She was also the first Latina ever to appear on “Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump” on NBC showing, on national television, that a multi-cultural woman’s place is in the boardroom.  

After becoming self-made on her own terms, Galán has made it her mission to teach women – regardless of age or background – how they too can become entrepreneurs. Her book, SELF MADE: Becoming Empowered, Self-Reliant, and Rich in Every Way, is inspired by the new revolution in women’s entrepreneurship led by multicultural women. ~ Rachel

Nely Galan profile

 

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Do What You Love interview – Andie Cohen-Healy

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Be Your OWN Event! That’s the call-to-action upon which Owner/Designer Andie Cohen-Healy founded and built her company, The Feathered Head. Inspired by past images of elegance when women of style dressed for dining, travel and soirées, Andie custom-designs, creates, collects and curates one-of-a-kind couture headpieces that combine old world luxury with a touch of whimsy, for weddings, special events, black tie affairs, Day at the Races and cocktail parties. 

Dedicated to celebrating a woman’s individuality, The Feathered Head’s bridal and cocktail collection online include fascinators, restored vintage hats, headbands, clips, veils and combs decorated with interesting textural embellishments such as billowy feathers, vintage jewelry, Swarovski crystals, mixed media, silk flowers and heirloom millinery. They are wearable works of art.

 Andie was in her late forties when she started The Feathered Head. She was motivated by a deep-rooted desire bring more creativity into her life and increasing dissatisfaction with her high-powered job as a television executive. In starting her own company Andie has completely changed the way she lives and works and she couldn’t be happier. “I allowed things to unfold the way they were supposed to,” she explains, “and in exchange for giving up one lifestyle I got another completely unexpected one filled with wonder.” If you ever needed proof that it’s never too late to dream a new dream and make that dream come true, this is it… ~ Rachel

AndieProfile1(Photo credit: Ecadnak Photography)

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Win a private mentoring session with DWYL Founder Beth Kempton!

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Over the past few months I have received many enquiries about private mentoring for people wanting to develop their own e-course. It’s hardly surprising as online courses can be a fantastic way to generate a flexible income and share your gifts with the world, but… and it’s a big BUT… there is a lot to navigate to get your work out there in the hands of the right people.

I know that it can be a long road, and it can make a huge difference to have someone experienced to bounce your ideas off. Although I am consumed with writing a book right now, I am planning to start offering a 1-1 mentoring service later in the year to go alongside our online course ‘Reach Teach Profit: The E-course Creation Masterclass’.

As a trial for this, I am offering one free mentoring opportunity (in person or via Skype) to someone registered for the class. If you think this would benefit you, read on! (Note: You can register with a £50 discount if you join by May 31 – just use the code ‘rtpmentor’ at checkout).

Not only is this course packed with our unique insight from several years and several million dollars’ worth of e-course sales, it really translates. One current participant recently launched her first course with 70 sign ups in the first 24 hours. Yours could be next!

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THE PRIZE! ** PLEASE NOTE THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED**

Your choice of the following:

  • 2 x one-hour mentoring sessions with me via Skype OR
  • A two-hour mentoring session in person (only available in the UK)

During this time you can ask me anything at all regarding the creation of your online course, or business in general.

*Please note you must be registered for ‘Reach Teach Profit: The E-course Creation Masterclass’ by May 31, 2016 to enter this competition. The Masterclass contains a huge amount of valuable insight into the overall development of your course, and the mentoring is designed to go alongside that teaching. You can register with a £50 discount if you join by May 31 – just register here and use the code ‘rtpmentor’ at checkout.

TO ENTER

Answer the following questions in writing or in a short video (3 mins max):

  • What is your motivation for creating an online course?
  • What is your course about and who is it for?
  • How has the course helped you so far? (Note: If you are a new registrant and have not yet had time to dive into the course, it’s fine to omit this question)
  • Why would mentoring from me help you?
  • What specific topic(s) would you like to discuss in our sessions?
  • If you were to win, would you prefer 2 x one-hour Skype sessions or 1 x two-hour in-person mentoring?

Send your entry to [email protected] with ‘E-course Mentoring Competition’ in the subject title by Friday June 3, 2016 and include the following:

– Your written answers to the questions above or a link to your video (please upload to Vimeo.com and be sure to send the password if you choose to make it private)

– Your full name, and website if you have one

Please be sure to read the small print below before entering.

I will select the winner based on who I think would benefit most from mentoring at this time. The winner will be announced by Friday June 10, 2016.

If you want to take advantage of this rare opportunity to pick my brains directly, please make sure you are registered for the course by Tuesday May 31, 2016, and submit your application by Friday June 3, 2016. (Remember, you can register with a £50 discount if you join by May 31 – just register here and use the code ‘rtpmentor’ at checkout)

Good luck!
Beth

Beth profile - winter coat

THE SMALL PRINT

  • This opportunity is only available to individuals registered for Reach Teach Profit by Tuesday May 31, 2016, who submit their entry as per the above guidelines.
  • Beth Kempton’s decision on the winner is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.
  • If the winner chooses to have the in-person mentoring session they will be responsible for all travel, accommodation and other related costs to attend the meeting, which will take place in Southampton, UK or London, UK
  • The mentoring sessions will take place at a mutually convenient time, to be completed before December 31, 2016.

Do What You Love interview – Vintagevibe

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We believe that it’s never too late to start doing what you love and these two mums just go to prove it! Meet cousins Lisa and Wendy, the talented duo who joined forces in 2007 to turn Wendy’s post-divorce shop business into a successful online home boutique… Vintagevibe.

Lisa Nutley (red top) and Wendy Thomas, cousins and founders of Vintage Vibe in Tonbridge. Seen here at their offices and storage facility, 12th May 2015. Commissioned by Claire Echavarry for First Voice MagazineLisa Nutley (pink top) and Wendy Thomas, cousins and founders of Vintagevibe at their offices and storage facility. Commissioned by Claire Echavarry for First Voice Magazine.

1. How are you doing what you love?

Lisa: We sell interesting and quirky home accessories, like large mirrors, bedroom furniture and statement lighting through our online shop Vintagevibe. We are passionate about offering affordable pieces, which are a little different.

2. What is your background? Talk us through your journey to this point…

Lisa: I have a corporate business background in accounts and was an assistant Bursar at a private school. However I’ve always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and from a young age I ran a stall at a market selling pop badges.

Wendy: My career background was sales. My first was for job for IPC publishing at their old Bowling Green Offices selling advertising space. I went on to break sales records selling, binding, laminating and collating office equipment for the General Binding Company as a London based sales rep.

I married two years after leaving school, having just completed my A-levels, and in 1983 gave up work to become the last generation of career housewife. I revelled in raising a family. I was married to an antiques dealer so I helped out doing all things that he didn’t have time for, like choosing fabrics for upholstery projects, paperwork, and meeting and greeting the dealers who would buy from our home, etc. We also moved house eight times in 25 years, renovating bashed up houses to supplement our income. Vintagevibe marked the start of a new chapter in my career.

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Conscious Living and Sustainability: The Capacity to Endure

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This is a guest post from Claire Le Hur who is cycling to China with her fiancé Stuart Block. The couple will start their journey in East Africa where they will follow new ‘silk roads’ charting the journey of key natural resources as part of an exciting new education project. Claire will be riding a bamboo bike, built by an African social enterprise and Stuart will ride a tandem, keeping the back seat free for those they meet en route. They will also be raising money and awareness for two great educational charities. Find out more about Claire’s big adventure here.

Claire Le Hur

Our endurance challenge has opened our eyes to the ubiquitous issues of drought and deforestation and the importance of doing our bit to help protect the Earth’s natural ecosystems and contribute to sustainability.

Here are a few of some of the small sustainable enterprises that we have encountered on this trip…

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Do What You Love Interview – Nick Christian

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Nick Christian, now retired, has pursued a life of personal freedom in all its forms. At the age of 70, his lust for independence has recently culminated in his first self-published novel of Historic Fiction. “You have only one life, live it, and where possible, by your own rules,” he advises, and follows his own advice daily.

Having grown up in the countryside at a time in history when the Nanny State and pressures of social media would only have been a fantasy in a futuristic Si-fi movie, he had the good fortune, along with a proportion of his generation, of having freedom thrust upon him.

Home was a small cottage, isolated from the nearest neighbour by fields and woods. Water was gathered from a deep well and the house was heated by a coal fired inglenook fire. In winter, glistening patterns of frost decorated the inside of his bedroom window.

This is how Nick describes his childhood:

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Do What You Love interview – Nicky Westbury

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There are now almost 1.2 million ‘mumpreneurs’ – mothers starting firms from home and setting up part-time – in the UK and their numbers are rising fast. The number of self-employed women has grown by almost 10% in the last two years, according to the Office for National Statistics. So why the boom?

We caught up with Nicky Westbury, one of the three founders of Scout & Co, an online kids’ lifestyle boutique, to find out what inspired her to leave her job and start a business doing what she loves…

Nicky Westbury profile

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