I met Jenee Dana, The Have Fun & Get It Done Expert With My Focus Book, LLC, at the Rock Star Marketing Boot Camp in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago. Her story was so inspiring that I knew WE magazine for women just HAD to share it with our readers. She is really a Woman on the Move!
Jenee, tell us about your business.
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
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?
http://www.facebook.com/jenee.dana
