Tell us about how you chose your career/business and what your responsibilities include?

When I went to college I decided to major in music and found that I very much enjoyed what I was learning and I learned very quickly that I was very good at connecting emotionally with an audience—offering them entertainment, comfort, and ease. This is a very high calling indeed—to be at the service of up to thousands of people at one time! I sing orchestral and concert pieces (think the Mozart Requiem, Handel’s Messiah) and song programs I’ve created like Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving. I am a solo-preneur, so I am my brand, my own agent/manager, assistant, marketing specialist, and copywriter.

Tell us about the company you work for or own?

I am a fresh face in classical music and my goal is to bring fresh air and a new perspective to classical music performances—there are so many conductors and organizations working to maintain and grow our cultural heritage via classical music and to educate the public on what music can do for you—spiritually, culturally, emotionally. Just this morning Jason Mraz was on the radio quoting an older woman who once told him “Music is a weapon in the war on unhappiness,” and she was right. Now, with the new economy, with tough decisions we face every day, we need more comfort and soul-rest than ever.

What are some of the most fulfilling projects you have been involved with so far?

Last Fall I was honored to be hired to sing at 9.11.11 United We Stand – performing the Mozart Requiem in Milwaukee, WI with the Bel Canto Chorus and the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. It was an outdoor performance and there were 4,000 people in attendance—in lawn chairs, on blankets, people from every walk of life, all of us experiencing our common humanity. I was in New York on September 11, 2001, and was supposed to go downtown that morning for some sight-seeing, however I overslept. My good friend was supposed to be in the second tower on a temp job, but her previous temp assignment was extended by a mere three days. It goes to show that we are all so closely connected and what happens to another community affects our own. It was even more meaningful to be performing for first responders, policemen & -women and firefighters who were in New York that day and responded around the country. One woman told the Assistant Conductor, “Everybody needs somewhere to be on September 11th.” And she was right. We need it on September 11th and we need it every day, too—now more than ever.

Are there any people in your field you would like to meet and/or work with and have not yet had the opportunity?

Yes, and that would be any conductor in the US with this same mindset!

What are some of your favorite ways to network?

Some of my favorite ways to network are genuinely greeting and complimenting my singer colleagues and conductors on their work. I stay in touch with those that I find to be hard-working, ethical, and grounded and let the rest just be. There is too much good work to be done that I just concentrate on those who are doing the same or similar work.

Do you have a mentor – if so how did you choose one another? If not, is this something you think would benefit your career and is there anyone you would like to have as a mentor?

Most classical singers doing what I’m doing actually live in a big city on one of the coasts (New York of L.A.) or close enough to commute in for auditions. I live in the Twin Cities and don’t have the possibility to miss work and fly to New York for lots of auditions. I’d LOVE to meet other classical singers who are doing the same—working from where they are to regional work and on upward. If someone doing the same as me reads this, please contact me via www.nicolewarner.com! Even if we are in the same stages of career development, we can support and mentor one another!

I also follow Ali Brown, the “Entrepreneurial guru for women,” whom I first saw on ABC’s “Secret Millionaire.” Realizing that I am an entrepreneur (and a solo-preneur at that!) and being connected with Ali’s community and programs, finding entrepreneurial resources have made a huge difference in how I run my business. I’d definitely like to coach with her, although that will surely be a later date.

What’s been the most surprising thing that has happened to you so far in your career?

It is a pure and joyful surprise every time someone either falls asleep while I’m singing (no joke), or they sit back and relax and close their eyes, just to take it all in, or whenever someone is so moved they cry. “That moved me” is another big, beautiful surprise. It’s truly a gift to receive such comments and I take care never to take them for granted.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

I LOVE to do Zumba® and I love to watch movies–I’m a huge fan of Netflix. And any time spent with friends is time well spent!

Any parting advice for someone who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Realize first that you are running a business and get your basics together—initial website, business cards (carry them with you everywhere!) and keep your eyes peeled for possibilities. You just never know where something might come from. Keep in touch with people you want to work with again and remember that music is a long-term investment.

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

http://www.nicolewarner.com

http://www.facebook.com/NicoleWarnerMezzosoprano

Twitter http://www.twitter.com/MezzoNicole

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/NicoleWarner

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/NicoleWarnerMezzo

iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nicole-warner/id414322784

CDBaby http://www.cdbaby.com/artist/NicoleWarner

Jessica Kizorek is Founder and CEO of Badass Business Women

Jessica Kizorek is passionate speaker, author and the founder of Badass Business Women.Though she primarily works with sassy female entrepreneurs, she feels strongly that young women should grow up self-expressed, vocal, and proud of their ambitions.

To receive her tips, articles, and special members-only invitations, go to BadassBusinessWomen.org and enter your name and email.

For more information, visit: http://www.BadassBusinessWomen.org

Note: Jessica is one of WE Magazine for Women’s Top 100 Women in Ecommerce™ for 2012. To read about the other 99 women, visit (PDF): http://bit.ly/whoswho2012 or (turning page): http://bit.ly/wewhoswho2012

Kristina Jaramillo is Founder of Get LinkedIn Help

LinkedIn marketing expert, Kristina Jaramillo is the Founder of GetLinkedInHelp.com and creator of the first and only Instant LinkedIn Marketing Templates that can only be found at http://www.InstantLinkedInMarketingTemplates.com.

Kristina was recently called a “Social Media Expert” by The New York Times and her articles can be found in magazines like Website Magazine, Electronic Retailer Magazine and Home Business Magazine. Her articles are also published on sites like: RainToday, National Association of Women Business Owners, SiteProNews and hundreds of others.

As a direct result of her products and services that include Live on Video Profile Reviews, LinkedIn Profile Makeovers and Ongoing LinkedIn Marketing Services, Kristina’s clients are getting found on LinkedIn and expanding their networks that are filled with prospects, referral sources and media opportunities.

Kristina plans to launch more services, products, free reports and free training teleseminars in the near future that will help small business owners with their LinkedIn marketing needs. To learn more visit: http://www.GetLinkedInHelp.com

Note: Kristina is one of WE Magazine for Women’s Top 100 Women in Ecommerce™ for 2012. To read about the other 99 women, visit (PDF): http://bit.ly/whoswho2012 or (turning page): http://bit.ly/wewhoswho2012

Faith M. Davis is the President of Enchant ~ designs for the soul (Started in 2010)

Enchant ~ designs for the soul was birthed out of an ever-existent yearning for Faith Davis to express her artistic talents and to fulfill her inner calling to help people transform their lives. Throughout her journey in life, Faith has floundered from an artist, to a marketing manager, a life coach, and a freelance writer, only to discover she was not floundering at all. Every career change Faith made has presented her with a beautiful combination of the necessary skills she needed to bring her business into being.

Every piece of art Faith create is intended to uplift the soul. Each piece is offered as journals, note cards, wall hangings, bookmarks and lots more to come. Just as she is on a journey and has come to discover herself and continues to transform herself, Faith uses Enchant to help inspire the journey in others as well. She offers a free program called Inspire Your Inner Journey, to help people use her inspirational products to transform their lives.

Faith’s vision for the future is to continue to add far more depth in value to her products and their accompanying program so that a huge impact can be made on the world. For more information, visit: www.enchantgifts.com

Faith M. Davis is one of WE Magazine for Women’s Top 100 Women in Ecommerce™ for 2012. To read about the other 99 women, visit (PDF): http://bit.ly/whoswho2012 or (turning page):http://bit.ly/wewhoswho2012

Meet Britt Warner, Twenty-something child of the Eighties – a Singer/Songwriter

Tell us about how you chose your career/business and what your responsibilities include?

I spent the majority of my childhood and teen years competing as a junior equestrian and training intensely. While I treasured the bond I shared with horses, artistic expression was something I sought out constantly, whether it was drawing, writing stories and poems, or singing. I wrote my first song when I was five, coming up with the lyrics and melody and singing it over and over again to my pony as I cantered around. Horses were my main audience for many years, as I was too shy to sing in front of anyone else. By 19, I’d developed a whole slew of back problems and had to quit riding to preserve my physical well-being. Shortly thereafter, I was befriended by a music producer, Joel Simmons, and after learning of my writing abilities, he coaxed me far enough out of my shell to get me to start singing and recording. I’ve written close to one thousand songs since then, constructing melodies based on the emotion of the lyrics and how I feel about the subject matter. I didn’t really choose music as a career; music chose me. If I don’t write or sing or play for even a day, I feel restless and incomplete.

Tell us about the company you work for or own?

As an artist, I am my own business. Ironically, as an artist, being my own business does not come naturally. I want to hole up and create all day everyday and leave the number-crunching to the Suits. It is crucial for artists to know their business, however, so that they do not get taken advantage of. The music business is a fallen empire, which is bad news for the giants and good news for the little guys. As artists and bands, we can cut out the middle man and access distributors and venues and fans directly and maintain more creative and business control. It’s a lot of research and work and communication on top of creating the art itself, but new, innovative opportunities are rising from the ashes of the industry constantly, and it’s my job to stay informed.

What are some of the most fulfilling projects you have been involved with so far?

I recently released my first full-length record, entitled Return To Me. I worked with Daniel Dempsey and Dominic Massaro, two incredible multi-instrumentalists who co-produced the album. I set out to tell a story in hopes that it would have an emotional impact on listeners, that people would relate to or identify with some of the lyrics or simply vibe with the melodies and instrumentation. That album started as a mere idea, so to look back at the process as a whole now that it’s finished and released is surreal and gratifying.

Beyond making music, I volunteer at a battered women’s shelter and would ultimately like to do benefit concerts where the proceeds go towards helping victims of rape or domestic abuse.

Are there any people in your field you would like to meet and/or work with and have not yet had the opportunity?

I would love to work with Thom Yorke of Radiohead in some capacity. I admire that he continues to grow and innovate instead of sticking with the first sound or feel that initially garnered fans, as so many bands and artists tend to do. He seems like he challenges himself and pushes his own boundaries. Beth Gibbons of Portishead is another person I’d love to meet and/or work with. The emotion she brings to her singing is so palpable and intimate.

What are some of your favorite ways to network?

Again, being an artist, business and networking are so counterintuitive to my personality, and blatant self-promotion can be off-putting. Merely getting out of the house and meeting people while supporting a friend’s show or event always leads to exchanges of information in a more natural, enjoyable context. Amidst the lightning-speed rate at which the technological takeover continues to evolve, I still believe that nothing beats the lasting impression of face-to-face interaction.

Do you have a mentor – if so how did you choose one another? If not, is this something you think would benefit your career and is there anyone you would like to have as a mentor?

Ian Webber, a musician friend, referred me to Daniel Dempsey for recording and producing, and Dominic Massaro joined the production team via Daniel. They’re not technically mentors, but I have learned a great deal from them as musicians and admire both of them as people. Dominic always tells me what I need to hear at the exact moment I need to hear it. As an artist himself, he creates according to his own whims, never paying heed or bending to what’s “in” at any given moment. He and Daniel have both encouraged me from Day One, simultaneously nurturing my creative process while also pushing me to keep striving for my own personal best.

What have you learned from your mentor? What do you hope to learn?

I’ve learned that it’s important to trust my own instincts, that everyone has an opinion and it’s impossible to please everybody. I hope to learn how to apply this knowledge on a consistent basis!

What’s been the most surprising thing that has happened to you so far in your career?

The most surprising thing is that I feel successful just by virtue of the fact that I am doing what I set out to do: make music, and by any means necessary. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl, and in a world where so many people get thrown off course or do not have the freedom to pursue their dreams to the fullest extent, I feel surprised every day that I am fortunate enough to be doing what I love.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

For fun/relaxation I write, play music, get together with close friends and family for food and laughs…I’m pretty mellow.

Any parting advice for someone who would like to follow in your footsteps?

Only be an artist/writer/musician if there is literally nothing else in the world that you can picture yourself happily doing. There is no guarantee that you will ever make a living on this path; however, if this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, with or without the promise of financial pay-off, devote yourself to it whole-heartedly. Create and then create some more. Play and then play some more. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and unless you have aspirations to be a manufactured pop-star, don’t be in a hurry. Take your time, take baby-steps towards the larger goal. Build a grass roots following of people who can’t get enough of your music, who love and appreciate your own unique way of expressing yourself. Do what you love, maintain artistic integrity, and maybe, the money will follow. If not, at least your soul will feel rich.

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

Facebook

BandCamp

iTunes

Website

Britt was kind enough to share one of her songs with our readers for FREE. You can download Hello Old Friend here: http://brittwarner.bandcamp.com/track/hello-old-friend. Be sure to check out her album while you are there!

My Focus Book is a Bucket List Daily Planner. It is designed so you can manage your time, focus, and keep everything all in one place (Life Purpose, Goals, Bucket List, Project Management, Ideas, Calendar, Daily Accountability, I am grateful for… Journal, etc). Have Fun & Get It Done is our motto!

Our target market is Entrepreneurs and Sales Professionals interested in personal and professional development. We are also launching a new product line geared towards students.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?

Being a business owner means that I get to write and design my own future. I love to create and I feel like I am creating something with significance and that is fulfilling to me. I also wanted to be an entrepreneur because of the flexibility it offers. When I start a family, I want to be able to spend time and enjoy life with my husband and kids.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

My mom has been my greatest influence in business. I learned how to have a strong work ethic by watching her raise me, go to school and work full time as a teacher. When I told her I wanted to start the business she not only supported me emotionally but financially as well and invested in the company. My goal is to retire her from teaching in 2 years.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

My greatest professional accomplishment was starting the company and writing a book, ‘Have Fun & Get It Done: Graduate From a Top University in 3 Years or Less Without Being a Genius!’ within 17 months. I am launching the book in June 2011. The next book in the series, ‘Have Fun & Get It Done: Brilliant and Simple Strategies From Amazingly Successful Peeps‘, will launch in October 2011.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Larry Broughton shared with me: You need to understand what your strengths are and only focus on your strengths. Having to work on your weaknesses is an ugly myth. Once you understand and know what your strengths are (KOLBE A Index / StrengthFinders 2.0), you can then create a team that has strengths in the areas that you are lacking. The results: You are not having to deal with the painful, annoying, procrastinated tasks anymore, and others on your team also have an opportunity to shine in what they are good at. This increases productivity and reduces stress in the work place.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

The most effective marketing initiatives I have made are finding and building relationships with strategic alliance partners or joint ventures. Our businesses compliment each other, so we naturally refer business to one another. It makes my job so much easier. I love it. Plus I get to build relationships with great people.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

Have Fun & Get It Done. That is what I have learned over the years. If it is not fun and you are not passionate about it, don’t do it. Life is too short to be stressed and pissed all the time. Not to mention GREAT things come from passion. When you are excited and passionate about your work, you never work another day in your life. I definitely prefer fun over work.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?

1. These 3 resources all assess your strengths

a. KOLBE A Index

b. StrengthFinders 2.0

c. Octogram test

2. These resources help you delegate tasks at an affordable cost. This saves you time, money and headaches. You can get bids from all over the world, see the potential hire’s portfolio, and their rating from past clients.

a. Elance.com

b. Guru.com

c. Fiverr.com

3. Inland Empire Woman’s Business Center gives free or affordable workshops and free business consulting.

4. SBDC also gives affordable workshops and free business consulting

5. Hire a business coach and join a Mastermind. Research shows this grows your business 2.5 times faster. Shop around and find the right fit for you.

a. Larry Broughton is a Team/Leadership Expert.

b. Lisa Marie Platske is a Leadership Expert

c. Craig Duswalt is a Rockstar Marketing Expert

d. Ursula Mentjes is a Sales Expert

6. If you are thinking about righting a book to build credibility in your industry, consider joining a Book Mastermind with a Book Coach. Masterminding has helped me come up with a solid brand and strategic plan for launching my books.

Amanda Johnson with True to Intention

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

For fun I love to go to Zumba or Hot Hula class. I also love to just spend time with the people I love most (Mom, Adam, family and friends). My boyfriend and I have annual passes to Disneyland. Disneyland makes you feel like a kid again and brings forth creativity. I love to shop for shoes. To relax I either take a shower, take a bath, snuggle with Adam on the couch and watch Netflix, or get a massage.

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?

#1 Best Selling Author on Amazon.com (WooHOO!!!)

I am writing a book on ‘Have Fun & Get It Done: Graduate From a Top University in 3 Years or Less Without Being a Genius!‘ This books helps students determine whether or not the 3 year plan is right for them. It also gives students great time management and study tips so they can study less and retain more.

I also am writing a book on ‘Have Fun & Get It Done: Brilliant and Simple Strategies From Amazingly Successful Peeps‘. In this book I interview amazingly successful entrepreneurs, actors, executives, athletes and sales professionals to see how they manage to have fun and get all “that” done. One of the featured successes in my book is Richard Hatch (Actor, Director, Producer, and Speaker) from Battlestar Galactica.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this article/interview. I just appreciate feedback.

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

www.MyFocusBook.com

http://www.facebook.com/jenee.dana

Last week a smart and interesting young woman contacted me asking if WE accept unsolicited submissions for WE Magazine for Women. I said that my team and I would be happy to review her work and let her know if it was something our readers might be interested in.

This essay, entitled WE Girls touched me as it made me remember what it felt like to be 21, in school and with the whole world before me. Most days I still feel that way (maybe not 21, but I am always in “school” and I still feel as if the whole world is before me).  Get ready for a little inspiration…

Heidi

WE Girls By Jen Kellogg

Yes, we girls are fair and witty. We take most everything seriously, including our vocabulary words and our workout and diet regimens, our relationships with our parents and our friends, and for the fortunate many it seems, our relationships with our boyfriends. We prioritize our studies over our social lives; except of course on Thursday nights, when we straighten our well-conditioned and highlighted locks, apply our eye shadow and lip gloss with an expert and subtle hand, and dress ourselves for the men and women in our lives, all the while appearing comfortable and confident in our own skin. Most of us were raised in households where every opportunity, every desire, and every whim was afforded to us. I, too, took the mandated piano and art lessons, played soccer and ran track, spoke three languages before graduating from high school, and volunteered weekly at the local homeless shelter. It was never doubted or debated whether or not I would attend a four-year college, or a private one at that, though of course, any institution where I believed I would flourish most was both encouraged and already paid for. We came from families, from mothers in particular, who wanted us to have everything they did not. We were bred to eventually become the women who have it all.

And yet, as I look around my less-than-spacious room, decorated to feel more like a cozy and sunny reading room than the attic in the student house it really is, I agonize over how at twenty-one, I am predicted to know how to choose the path that links my privileged upbringing with the charmed adult life that is expected of me. It is common knowledge, at least amongst us girls, that the decisions we make in our twenties will impact us for the rest of our lives. The first job we hope will become our career, the city we decide to relocate to, the man we meet in the used bookstore who just might become our husband—these are the things we young twenty-somethings fantasize about. We straddle that white-picket fence between adolescence and adulthood, fantasy and reality, while simultaneously striving to heed our mentors’ suggestion to celebrate who we are in this exciting chapter of our lives. And while this is certainly sage advice, the girls we know ourselves to be are oftentimes a far cry from the women we envision ourselves becoming.

I am not sure if across generations young women have always felt this way. Surely, when our grandmothers became mothers at the very age I am now, or our mothers received engagement rings and college diplomas on the same day, they must have felt pressured to be far more mature than they actually believed themselves to be. So it is not this societal or inherent pressure I question has always been present, it is the plethora of options available to us that is enormously overwhelming.

Because our mothers and all the women who came before us worked so hard to ensure these manifold choices existed, it is not at all with an ungrateful heart that I bemoan the expectations of young women in today’s society. And convincingly, while our manicured and polished angst-ridden teenage years were anything but easy, they prepared us for the stresses we now face. According to a New York Times article in 2006, women now make up 58% of those enrolled in two-and four-year colleges and are, over all, the majority in graduate and professional schools, as well. Furthermore, women are excelling at higher rates than their male counterparts with the vast majority of honors degrees being awarded to them. And while I do not at all pretend to be a sociologist or an expert in educational trends, for surely there are innumerable factors which have led to the dramatic increase in women receiving college degrees, I think so much of our success has to do with our capacity to multi-task without compromising our focus and precision.

In high school, we girls were expected to excel in the classroom, on the athletic field, and on the stage while still maintaining our youth and our lightheartedness. This is not to say, of course, that our male peers were not equally pressured to thrive in all of these arenas; the difference, I believe, is the paramount role our mothers played in our upbringing. The role of women, what is expected of them, what is discouraged of them, their so many opportunities and so little limitations, has drastically changed in the last half century. No longer are women relegated to the home (noting of course that there is absolutely nothing wrong with women who choose this role for themselves), but we are expected to compete with men in the classroom and in the workforce while ensuring our partners and children have home-cooked meals to look forward to. So it is this example, I think, the example our multi-hat wearing mothers set for us, that predetermined our desire and our need to multi-task in order to keep up with our growing number of responsibilities in our ever-changing world.

And while women’s roles have so significantly altered, men’s roles have, by and large, remained the same. Men have always and probably will continue to see and value their primary role in society as the breadwinners. And again, there is nothing wrong with this chosen path, as indeed, it has been one traveled down by most throughout history. The problem, and truth be told, I’m not even sure it is a problem, is when a woman yearns to obtain this same primary role. What happens, then, when both men and women are competing for identical positions within society? What happens when men see no other ways in which to improve, no other ways in which to support themselves and their families, than by doing that which they’ve always done? And women, who because of the examples of strong women set before us, and the guilt we would otherwise feel should we not take advantage of everything society now has to offer, are simultaneously basking in our newfound freedom and floundering amidst our many, many roles.

I am not sure when exactly the notion of “having it all” became vogue or even feasible, but alas, it is an idea we girls continually grapple with as we best determine how to make it a reality. Forgive me too, to those men who might be reading this, for perhaps in my narrow-minded, ever-so-focused female mind, I have overlooked the possibility that you all struggle with this concept as well. Nevertheless, I believe this is a primarily female-driven belief—the confidence we can graduate from the same universities as men (with oftentimes better grades), be hired from the same desirable employers as men (although women still only make $0.77 to the man’s dollar, young women between ages twenty-two and thirty are earning more than their male counterparts by 8% on average), marry the man of our dreams (presumably the one we met at the used bookstore), move to a house in the suburbs which, under our care, would be beautiful enough to grace the cover of Home and Garden, and bear and raise perfect children—daughters who would strive to emulate their “have it all” mother, and sons who would appreciate and strive to marry such a woman. It is no wonder our society has become a pressure-cooker for women!

I don’t know which question is more fascinating: one, why on earth do all women assumedly desire all of these things or two, why oh why do we believe all of this is achievable? The answer to the first question has plagued many women and me for a long time, and still the best answer I can proffer is because our modern-day society scoffs at the notion that women should desire anything else. Which woman does not want to have a wildly successful career, a stunning home and a loving family? I would imagine there are very few of us. As for the second question, well obviously, because we all know at least one woman who ostensibly does have it all. Needn’t matter if behind closed doors she is a nervous-wreck and habitually wants to pull her hair our, so long as she maintains her equanimity and picture-perfect life to all those eager women desperate to learn her secret, she will forever embody the every-woman and perpetuate this confidence that everything we should have, we can have.

And so, here I am at the humble age of twenty-one, with one more semester to go before I graduate from my first-choice university, in all likelihood with honors, toying with the indistinct line between girl and womanhood. I’m not sure how much good it does me or any other young woman to dwell on such thoughts as mine; but alas, I’m just here, in my student’s room adorned with mock-antiques, trying to find my way amongst a generation of accomplished women.

Works Cited:

Lewin, Tamar. “At Colleges, Women Are Leaving Men in the Dust.” Www.nytimes.com. 9 July 2006. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.

McDermott, Alice. “Our Girls.” The Hopkins Review: 363-75. Print.

“USATODAY.com – College Gender Gap Widens: 57% Are Women.” News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World – USATODAY.com. 19 Oct. 2005. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.

“Young Women Outearn Men By A Mile For Awhile – 24/7 Wall St.” 24/7 Wall St. – Insightful Analysis and Commentary for U.S. and Global Equity Investors. Web. 28 Nov. 2010.

This family plays together and stays together. Kate and Diana’s mother, Jenelle is the back-bone of the family, keeping her husband and daughter’s in-line and on-track. Jenelle is an integral part of the operations and mechanics on the race vehicles, the head chef, the mentor, the guidance counselor, and the behind the scene’s negotiator.

Kate and Diana travel with their parents Steve and Jenelle to some eighteen NHRA race events per season spanning the United States. Jenelle is always there when the twin’s race, she is the first one to hug them with their father after a pass down the race track and keeps the encouragement spirits high. Jenelle has been married to Steve for thirty-three years and has never missed a race event. Mrs. Harker gets her hands dirty working on the race vehicles and so do the twins as this was a stipulation that they had to know and understand the mechanical aspects of the race vehicles if the twins were to drive these powerful machines.

“We are very lucky to have mom” comments Kate “Not too many mothers get involved in the racing like our mother does, which is a great encouragement for our careers. Our mom works on the race vehicles and knows as much of the mechanical operations as dad. Mom is a great role model for us simply because if mom can do it so can we. ”

“Mom is always our pillar of support and strength” said Diana “Mom works alongside us to promote our racing careers and never stops, just keeps going and shows us that we can achieve our goals by working hard. Our mom is hands-on not just a cheerleader for our careers and we are grateful to have her.”

“The twins have accomplished a lot in their racing careers and continue to grow everyday learning new business or marketing concepts” tells Jenelle “I am glad to be there for them and will support them as much as they need and in whatever decisions they make. Kate and Diana have a unique opportunity because they compliment each other so well in their personality and abilities it is wonderful to watch and encourage them to grow in their careers and in life.”

Kate, Diana and Jenelle will continue to work together in their coming NHRA 2010 racing season. Jenelle will be at the fore-front of every event the twin’s race, ready to work alongside her husband and daughter’s to help them succeed. And the twin’s will have their mother’s dedication, support, love and encouragement with them when they speed on down the race track.

For more information about Kate and Diana Harker please visit: www.harkertwins.com

Or contact Kate Harker at kate@harkermotorsport.com

Meet Scarlett Rosier (Under 30), Account Director/New Business Developer/Partner with Rhyme Meet Scarlett Rosier, Account Director/New Business Developer/Partner with Rhyme & Reason Design

(l to r) Karen Pearson Mckenzie, Scarlett Rosier, Erin Morris

Tell us about your business.

Rhyme & Reason Design is a boutique advertising and design firm specializing in developing dynamic communication online and off. From logo development to website designs and everything in between, R&R offers clients customized solutions for their marketing needs.

Our target audience is Female business owners and decision makers. As a woman-owned business, we have first-hand understanding of the business world from a female perspective. Our design aesthetic leans heavily to bright, clean and modern layouts that appeal greatly to women and are interactive enough to keep any viewer man or woman engaged.

As we have been lucky enough to start our own business, one of our core missions with the business is to provide custom designed work for the For-Profit world in order that we can provide the same to the Non-Profit world. Since opening our virtual doors, we’ve aided in the design and development of websites, Facebook Fan Pages and marketing materials for 5 non-profits at no cost to the organizations.

Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?

Being a business owner means that I don’t have to choose between having a career and having a life. With R&R, I am able to define both as they relate to my personal goals. I wasn’t planning on becoming a business owner in my twenties, I figured I would be wise beyond my years before I stepped out on my own. But, as they say, “Never say Never.” I became an entrepreneur because the opportunity arose and I couldn’t say no. I worked with one of my business partners at a small advertising firm in Atlanta, GA and then together we said good-bye to our cubicles, packed our bags and headed to China for a month of introspection. Now by no means am I promoting quitting your job and traveling to foreign lands to decide what you want to do in life, but I am suggesting that you not be afraid of the unknown. Because when I returned from my trip abroad, I had no job and was scrambling to come up with a plan. However, both my business partners are tremendously intelligent and talented women and I knew that together we had what it took to bloom in the business world.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?

The encouragement and support that I receive from friends, family and strangers is what influences my business behavior and decisions on a daily basis. Knowing that people other than the three of us believe in what we do makes the long hours, the struggles and even the tears completely worth it.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

There have been so many accomplishments that go into the biggest one of all, which is growing a business from the ground up. Through the experience, I’ve worked to find our first client, launch our first website and typed our first blog. From there, we’ve signed several national accounts, watched as our blog was featured on Word Press’ Freshly Pressed and each of us receiving accolades for jobs well-done from clients, peers and industry executives.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Love what you do. If you don’t, get out now.

What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?

Social media. Over the past two years, we have received about 30 percent of our new business from our social media efforts. As a design firm, we do have a leg up on most companies in the fact that we are able to customize everything from our Facebook Fan Page to our Twitter account.

With the help of customization, we are able to better distinguish ourselves in a very content heavy world. We are also careful to not over-promote ourselves and instead focus on providing content that is useful to our clients and our prospects.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?

You’re going to make mistakes. There I said it. It’s true, it will happen and when it does, don’t beat yourself up, just figure out how to fix it, move on and don’t make the same one again.

Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?

Smartbrief emails: SmartBrief.com ~ These emails are incredible. I receive several a day depending on the industry or information I sign up for. Each email includes the top articles of the day found for say, social media or entrepreneurship. The emails include excerpts and links to each article and it provides an easy way to stay up on the news without wasting time searching for articles.

The E Myth by Michael Gerber ~ The first business book I ever read and one that I plan to read over and over again. So many times, as human beings, nonetheless business owners, we get caught up in the minutia of it all and forget to take a look at the big picture and how to make the big picture run smoothly. In the E-Myth, you realize that being an entrepreneur is not easy and you can’t just focus on one area to be successful, you have to focus on creating a business that can run seamlessly with or without you at the helm.

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi ~ Never Eat Alone offers very simple, almost elementary advice on how important it is to build relationships. Most of it you probably already know, but when put in the business perspective, you realize how utterly important it is to cultivate relationships with everyone.

Small Business Development Centers ~ The Small Business Development Center in my community is amazing, At the Center, they offer paid and free courses to help grow your business from the ground up. Plus, there are advisors who are available for one-on-one advice, counseling and support. Not to mention, the Centers are the first to promote their own entrepreneurs and often allow them to speak and make presentations at seminars and classes.

What do you do for fun/relaxation?

I grew up riding horses and I don’t plan to ever give that up. Although I don’t get to enjoy the thrill of jumping or the steady stride of my horse as much as I used to, it is still my most treasured pastime. If you don’t find me on the back of a horse, you’ll most likely find me in sweating it out in the gym. Other than those two places, you may find my nose shoved in a Harry Potter book or laughing over dinner with a few close friends.

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?

Sign at least two more national accounts to our client roster and sorry, I know you only asked for one, but we’d love to open a brick-and-mortar shop. The virtual world is amazing and doing business via, cell phone, email, skype, text, social media and carrier pigeon works incredibly well and is ultimately the way of the future. However, nothing can replace the atmosphere of a creative studio with your shingle on the door.

You want to write a book on … oh gosh, I have so many books that I want to write, but for business, I’d like to write a book about business ownership as a twenty-something female. It would be targeted towards tweens and young adult women who don’t realize the opportunities that are available for them. It will discuss the difficulties of being discriminated against for age and looks, as well as the importance of believing in yourself and following your dreams, even if they go against the grain.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

If you want to take the entrepreneurial leap, know that it isn’t the easy route, but it is the most rewarding. There are going to be days where with tears in your eyes you ask yourself, “What am I doing?” but, there are also going to be days where you are floating on air saying, “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else”. Also, find a support system and even someone or a group of peers who are in the same place as you. I have a very close friend who is also in her second year of business and it’s always nice to have another ear to bend, who is experiencing the entrepreneurial path as well.

In addition to your website, how else can our readers connect with you online?

http://www.facebook.com/rrdesign

http://www.twitter.com/RhymeAndReason3

http://www.RhymeAndReasonDesign.wordpress.com

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Master Class Writers’ Retreat – August 27-29th 2010

Intensive Non-Fiction Writing Retreat – October 8-10th 2010

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