My One Word for 2017 – Flourish

This year, instead of a list of resolutions, I’ve decided to focus on “my one word”.  To do that, I’m replacing a long list of new year’s to-do’s with one, simple word that I can focus on all year long. The word sums up how I want to feel and how I want to live. The idea is that by keeping that one word in mind all year, I will align my actions and decisions in a … Read more

6 Steps to Taming Your Big, Hairy-Assed Business Goals

Ah, December.  The most wonderful time of the year!  It the time of year when my energy starts to ramp up, my creative juices start to flow, and I get all warm and tingly inside. What’s that?  Am I excited for the holidays, you ask?  NO!  I’m excited because December is when I start to set my business goals and intentions for the new year.  Every year about this time, I find myself ramping up … Read more

4 Secrets to Building a Vision Board That Works

This week I’m all aflutter because I’m hosting my first Vision Board Party on Friday.  *squee!*  I’ve got 12 amazing, dynamic women business owners coming to commit their dreams and goals for 2017 to paper.  And I am. So. Excited! I love, love, love vision boarding.  Probably because I’m a creative soul and a visual learner, so the act of collaging something beautiful I can look at all year is deeply satisfying.  But also because … Read more

10 Steps to Crush Your Next Networking Coffee

Many years ago, when I was but a young entrepreneur, I joined a local Chamber of Commerce Leads Group.  After my first few meetings and getting to know the other members, a gentleman asked me if I’d like to go to coffee so he could learn more about what I did. “This is it!”, thought my naïve, innocent self.  “He’s going to hire me for his marketing.  Damn, this networking thing is paying off already!” … Read more

Is Networking Harder for Women? 5 Ways to Overcome Your Fears and Gain Confidence

katherine mcgraw patterson networking for women

Networking for women can be scary.  There, I said it.  The thought walking into a room full of strangers, the associated burden of being bubbly and witty, and the pressure to succeed can make even the most confident of us weak in the knees with nerves.  Fear of embarrassment, fear of strangers – everything that networking is can leave us feeling fragile and timid, and turning what could have been (maybe, possibly) an enjoyable opportunity … Read more

I Hate Networking…Or, Do I?

Full disclosure – until recently, I loathed networking.  Loathed. It.  The thought of walking into a room full of strangers filled me with all sorts of ickiness.  Like most entrepreneurs, I could happily spend my days planning and plotting and scheming to take over the world with my business, without ever leaving my happy little solitary office.  Networking? Blah! No thank you. This went on for years.  YEARS.  Until earlier this year, when I was … Read more

4 Levels of Building Business Relationships

If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you’re happy to while away your days dreaming up new products and fantasizing about your grandiose visions of success.  While those are important drivers for any business, there’s another task that’s equally important and a little more down-to-earth – networking. Networking gets you and your company out in front of people, introduces you to new partners and clients, and builds personal connections.  Plus, it’s good for you and your business.  … Read more

8 Duran Duran Songs That Will Inspire Entrepreneurs

Um, peeps? It’s Duran Duran Appreciation Day. Full disclosure, I was a huge Duran Duran fan. In fact, the band’s “Rio” tour was my first ever grown up concert without parents. This was waaaaay before cell phones (or pagers for that matter) so I remember my dad drove my friend and I to the venue, then napped in the truck while we rocked out to Simon, Nick, and the boys. Little did I know at that … Read more