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Being a mom-preneur ain’t always easy…

I have a confession to make: I love being a mom, but being that alone isn’t enough for me, because I also love helping change peoples’ lives with my business too. I know that this isn’t always a popular thing to say or feel among moms (I’ve found that out the interesting way), but it’s my truth and I’m not going to change who I am just to make someone else feel better about her decisions. We all have to find the path that works for us…..right?

But here’s the thing that I’ve found – being a mom-preneur ain’t always easy. Even those people out there who make it seem so seamless and flawless are experiencing the same mom-preneur blues at times behind the scenes. I’ve talked to them, I’ve tried to see what secret they possess that I don’t. But there’s no difference, except that some people have more help than others, and a few other small things, but nothing that’s a magic pill to make this any easier.

When my daughter Reese was born almost 3 years ago, I honestly felt like my world was turned upside down. I’m a very independent, high-achieving go-getter. And I have a tendency to sink myself into whatever I’m doing completely. But I found that when Reese entered my life, I could no longer be that way. Her needs came first.

For months after as a wedding planner, I struggled. I just couldn’t bring myself to put her in daycare like so many others. Something just didn’t feel right about it. But, I couldn’t find a sitter or a nanny that fit our needs for the first year. This put a major kink in my plans … I mean big-time. And it certainly didn’t help when Reese went through an “I-hate-Daddy” phase for about 2 months, in which she screamed, cried and basically lost her mind when I had to go to work at weddings (while Ed kept her at home). It was so bad that Reese made secret guest appearances at two of my weddings because she was so upset. As I was able, I would sneak back to a room to hold her, rock her, nurse her. I didn’t know what else to do.

Now none of this even covers the extreme lack of sleep that I endured for the first 8 months of her life. I experienced such depression from not having enough sleep that I gained tremendous amounts of weight and my confidence levels dipped in my personal and professional life. This was not what I thought it was going to be. It was so much harder than I expected, and I felt like I was all alone in this rocky transition.

But then things started to shift, and life started to settle into a new rhythm. I stopped fighting and trying to go back to life as it used to be, because that Natalie no longer existed. And I had to make peace with that and mourn the loss of a life that used to be, while celebrating the new life that had just begun.

Now, two years later, I’m still reinventing the rules as Reese grows and her needs change. I’m not one to say that her needs come first, because when I did that consistently I started losing myself and my own needs. I’ve found that especially as a mom-preneur it’s important to not only acknowledge the importance of your child (or children’s) needs, but to also equally acknowledge that you still have needs that need to be met. You still need to create, feel alive, appreciated and important beyond just being a mom….and whatever other needs are important for you right now.

There are still those times – even with our schedules ironed out, and having help from sitters and more – that I find myself feeling guilty that I’m not there for Reese all the time, especially when I travel without her around the world for business. But, I always remind myself that life wasn’t meant to be perfect. It was meant to be an experience – a journey. And that means making mistakes and correcting as I go. And just allowing myself to be a mom and an entrepreneur and everything else that comes with just being….me.

So, I’d like to take a moment to celebrate all the mom-preneurs out there who are being it all, during easy and difficult times.

Cheers to us,

Natalie

Don’t miss your chance to “Boost your Bridal Biz with Social Media!”

We have less than 15 spots left in our one-time only tele-class series on “BOOST your Bridal Biz with Social Media”!

Don’t miss your chance to learn how to effectively use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more to actually book more brides!

Get a sneak peak of what you’ll learn in this 2-part call series and reserve your seat here today!

How “Eat, Pray, Love” changed my life

by Natalie Bradley

In 2007, right after my daughter Reese was born, I heard Oprah talk about how Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and that it was a must read. And in true-to-form fashion for me, if Oprah puts her stamp of approval on something, I check it out. And I’m so super glad that I did!

In a time when I was having my own personal Liz-style personal crisis, I felt like her words were a beacon of hope for me. And, Eat, Pray, Love became a spiritual experience that awakened something that seemed to be asleep within me for years. It was exactly the sign and the words I’d been praying for.

It was one of those experiences that changes you forever. Once that door was open, it would not close (thank God)! After that book, I discovered things about myself I never knew, in terms of spirituality, passion, love, values and relationships. To this day, I know that I’m a better person, wife, mother, entrepreneur, friend and more because of Liz sharing her own experience. And this is exactly why I’m sharing this with you today too. When we share our stories, and what moves us, molds us, and changes us, we help others do the same for themselves.

Then, when I saw the movie this week, everything came rushing back in. It was fun, inspiring, and beautiful…and it also lit a fire in me once again. Thank you Liz Gilbert for being brave enough to be you and to share your authentic self with all of us out here.

Here’s to being brave enough to just be,

Natalie

“Boost Your Bridal Biz with Social Media”

A little over a year ago, Michelle Salater, president of Sūmèr, showed me exactly the right steps and formula to maximize my efforts on these Social Media Marketing sites. And, not only did I implement exactly the recipe that she taught me, but I also made over $50,000 directly from my social media efforts. (I bet that got your attention…. It definitely got mine!!)

In this 2-part tele-series, we’ll share that same system so that you can drastically boost your own bridal biz by using social media sites immediately! Reserve your seat and learn more here.

“There’s always a ‘Virgin’ market”

by Natalie Bradley

Last Friday, as I was waiting to board my first flight to come back home from California, it became crystal clear why there’s always a “Virgin” market. I just knew that I was about to be the next misdemeanor sensation on YouTube for going toe to toe with the crazy gate lady who has obviously never understood customer service or just common human decency. But, before I went to the bad place, I took a deep breath and almost starting laughing out loud. You see, everything that happens in my life these days always teaches me a lesson or serves as a huge flashing reminder. And this little experience was no exception.

In that brief moment of clarity following my insane anger at the way I was being treated, I realized that Richard Branson may have had a similar incident that gave him the brilliant idea of “Virgin” airlines. And so, this got my wheels turning…how many of us are looking for that “Virgin” market out there right now? Heck, all the time?! It’s imperative that you are always, always, always adapting, changing and growing to the market demands and going where the brides (who are willing and ready to pay your services) can be found in large numbers.

I created my own wedding planning business years ago after seeing a similar opportunity to serve a market hungry for what I could offer. Here’s my own example for you to help prompt you to look more closely in your own area market and how you can capitalize on something huge….right now!  Over 7 years ago, I saw that there were no full-time, full-service wedding planners also offering event design. I saw countless brides come and go in my area as I worked for others, and they were literally wasting tens of thous’ands of doll’ars by spending ignorantly. I also saw that no one was delivering this service in the way that I knew I could, with a good dose of passion and and a lot of heart. And bingo … I was able to create a six figure wedding planning company in a market that everyone said was impossible to make a living (who’s laughing now?).

So, consider in your wedding market where you can have your own “Virgin” opportunity! What is not currently being provided to brides in your area? Is it excellent customer service? Is it a luxurious experience at your facility? Is it capitalizing on the DIY market? Maybe doing a volume budget bridal business?  Or, is it simply adding that extra oomph to what you already do to make your brides feel like a queen for the day? You need to always have your eyes peeled for what excellent opportunity exists right in front of you right in this moment.

Once you discover the market opportunity, it’s so very imperative that you act on it immediately. After all, you don’t know how many other people may see the same chance unfolding at the same exact time. The only time is now, so act on this market opening with lightning fast speed!

© 2008-2010 Natalie Bradley, BrideAttraction.com

Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Event Planning entrepreneur Natalie Bradley publishes the “Bride Attraction” weekly e-zine. Get your F*REE audio course: “5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Wedding Business…Starting Today!l” at www.BrideAttraction.com

”Jump Start Your 6 Figure Biz” Program with Natalie

Do you feel like you need some direction getting to your 6 figure business, but you don’t need a long-term coaching program?

Do you want to bypass all the costly mistakes and discover the system to manifest your dream business quickly?

Do you need a solid blueprint to attract clients quickly and consistently?

Are you looking for a super quick jump start to get you started in the right direction?

Great! This is the perfect program for you.

With the Jump Start Program, you’ll get exactly the boost you’ve been looking for to start you in the right direction. And, you’ll be prepared to move forward on your own like never before!

This program includes 4 calls in one accelerated month, each call 30 minutes in length, to show you step-by-step where to begin and where to focus your efforts. We’ll strategize the exact steps and put them into place for your business. This program is perfect for the entrepreneur who’s okay doing the long-term steps alone, but you just need the right direction to get that incredible boost of confidence and clients you’ve been looking for.

We’ll work together on your action plan quickly, mapping out a plan for you and your business step-by-step. This program includes fine-tuning your manifesting skills while creating services, programs, and products to generate real money real fast! We’ll also focus on areas including (but is not limited to) grassroots marketing, social media marketing, team creation, strategizing alliances within the industry, marketing methods for the year, website and marketing collateral critiques, systematizing your marketing efforts, and maximizing viral and “word-of-mouth” marketing. We will customize what your program entails based on where you are presently in your business and where you want to be (in terms of goals and revenue).

In the Jump Start Program, you’ll receive these fabulous benefits:

• 4 (four) 30 minute phone consultations in one month   ($500 value)
• Review and Critique of Website and up to 5 Marketing Materials, Review of your Package/Program Structure and Service Pricing ($500 value)
• Strategize your Complete Marketing Plan for the next 3 months ($400 value)

• BONUS: Natalie’s “Back to Basics: How to Double Your Clients and Increase Your Profits in less than 12 months!” e-Manual and Audio Tutorial ($97 value)
• BONUS: Recordings of all phone consultations ($200 value)
• BONUS: Unlimited emails for quick questions on Marketing, Programs, Systems, Implementation, and Business Management while in the program ($150 value)

If you’d like to talk more and see if this program is the right fit for you, simply email info@NatalieBradley.com to schedule a quick chat with Natalie!

“The New Face of Business is More Familiar Than You Know”

by Natalie Bradley

Now is possibly the best time to not only launch a new fabulous business, but especially a small-or-solo-business. The internet has made it possible for us all to follow our passions AND make a fantastic in’come at the same time … more than ever before! And, now especially with social media added to the mix, it’s extraordinary and exhilarating to see what the average everyday entrepreneur is now capable of.

The key to understanding and knowing the new face of business is as easy and simple as getting to know yourself. First and foremost, get in tune with who you really are. Most people are so busy copying other “successful” people that they are no longer aware of who they really are. So, go within and follow your own heart and your own path. Above all else, always remember to be yourself.

Now introduce your authentic self to everyone else. This can be scary and intimidating to do in the beginning, especially if you haven’t fully been yourself in the past. But, this is key for the new face of business. People want to work with and buy from “real people,” not fake people or even big business. You can even see huge businesses putting a face to their companies to make them feel more “real” and down to earth. To see big pay-offs and extraordinary results, you must do the same.

Put your blinders on. Stop being absorbed with what and how everyone else is doing out there, and focus on the approach you want to take. What kind of conversation do you want to have with people out there? What makes you feel alive? What gives you passion to write about, talk about and teach people out there? Start there and good things will always grow and blossom for you.

Remember that no one really cares if you look good if there’s no substance under it all. I actually learned a huge lesson in what NOT to do from one of my mentors along the way. It’s so easy for us to get sucked in to the “idea” and the “image” of ourselves as we start branding our identity. But you must stay tuned into the real you and the real reason you’re in this. If you lose this, people WILL notice and they will stop looking to you for help. The new face of business always comes down to authenticity. If people feel that you’re becoming fake, or ego-driven, it’s all over. So, stay tapped in, tuned in and turned on to your purpose and passion, and you’ll always be sure to turn that into fabulous profits for yourself. Always.

Whenever I feel like I’m allowing myself to divert from my true path, I get out one of my favorite quotes to remind me to stay true to who I really am. I hope that this quote from Henry David Thoreau helps you as much as it’s helped me over the years.  “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

So, as you embody the new face of business, ask yourself, “What beat am I marching to?” and then…. stay true to your inner rhythm!

© 2010 Natalie Bradley, www.NatalieBradley.com

Want to use this article in your E-zine or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement:

Natalie Bradley publishes the “Marketing and Manifesting” weekly e-zine. Get your F*REE audio today on “3 Powerful Steps to Create Your Six Figure Business …Starting Today” at http://www.NatalieBradley.com