Tag: marin davis

How To Tell If You’re Acting Like An Amateur Or A Pro

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Are you acting like an amateur or are you acting like a pro?

Oh, yessss, it’s time for some tough love. Tough self love that will put you on the track to some insane self-improvement.

But only if you take action. 

As an entrepreneur it can be easy to fall into the idea that your ‘schedule’ is extremely flexible or non-existent.

As a work-from-home professional it can be easy to believe you can do whatever you want with your time and still be paid.

 

Sure. You could do that. If your goal is to 1) Lose your job or 2) Never move forward from where you’re at.

You’ve read the articles about what successful people do every day.

You know that if you don’t dedicate one hour toward cardio each morning then you must not be dedicated to your health.

You’re slapped by a vegan-cruelty-free-grass-fed hand that you didn’t eat enough sustainable, ethically grown organic food.

You’ve felt the guilt of balancing an 80 hour work week with enough fun retreats.

 

There’s so many things we are supposed to be doing in and outside of the office/the gym/the home that we get overwhelmed and end up not doing a thing.

How can we start small and grow big? How can we create that discipline to be the person who ROCKS at working from home instead of the person who COULD NEVER work from home?

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What are you doing daily?

What time are you waking up? Are you snoozing? Do you drink coffee before a workout or after? Analyze your daily habits step by literal step and see what gets in your way.

For years, a phone calendar was not something that worked for me. I preferred a paper planner. But then I started telecommuting and Google calendars were a lifesaver when adjusting to other pros in other timezones.

Now my calendar is filled with blocked out chunks of time to guard my schedule from any other commitments. Since my Discovery Session calendar is linked to my personal calendar, blocking out time is VITAL!

I also treat every weekday as a workday. I start at 9 am which might be earlier or later depending on the day but I know I have my mornings to myself.

Yes, I know my times are all in military time. It makes communicating with my husband a lot easier and I’ve just gotten in the habit! Cringe if you’d like, it’s all good. 🙂

0600-0615: Wake Up

0630-0800: Walk my dog and workout

0800-0900: Breakfast and shower

0900-1700: Work

I know if I don’t start my mornings like this that I won’t do it the rest of the day. There’s nothing worse to me than cranking out work all day only to wrap up and know I still have to put in 100 percent to a workout instead of winding down.

I know this can be tricky for people who never have the same schedule every day but ensuring you have ‘white space’ or work time for a couple hours a day gives you a blank space to fill with whatever you need.

At the very least I encourage you to map out each week at a time! When you know what to expect you will be less stressed.

As humans consistency and order are needed.

We are creatures of habits. Good habits, bad habits…they will always be there. It’s up to us to decide if we want to be filled with the good or the bad.

It’s YOUR choice.

Here are Six Fundamental Human Needs

I also have certain days marked out for certain things. I have a blog that is published every Tuesday. I block out time to write those posts on Thursdays. I try to avoid meetings or calls on Fridays. What works best for you? What patterns do you usually find yourself repeating on your most successful and unsuccessful weeks? Face those then create solutions to overcome them. 

Amateurs think they’re fine where they’re at.

Professionals know their time is invaluable.

 

What are you changing?

As you’re looking at what should change or what should stay the same actually list them out. With pencil to paper or copy/pasting on your desktop. Here’s my challenge to you…

Get it on one page.

One page of what your actual commitments are. If it doesn’t fall in your top three, can you pay someone else to do it? Can you ask for help? Can you outsource or place more/less of a focus on it?

What are you committed to every day? What are you committed to every week?

Maybe that’s meals. Can you get them delivered to your car or house for efficiency?

Maybe that’s the home. Can you hire a maid once a week or once a month for a deep clean? Hire a lawn service to take care of the outside while you tackle the inside?

If you’re a stay at home mom, the answer is probably your kids. So what’s your second focus? Yourself, I hope!

If you’re a construction worker or plumber going out on last minute jobs, your life can look a bit chaotic. If you get that call that you don’t have to go to the job site today, what CAN you get done to feel accomplished instead of calling it all a wash and sitting on the couch doing nothing?

There is always a solution to every problem. Everything is figureoutable. 

Amateurs think they know it all.

Professionals know there’s always something to learn and room to improve.

What’s the theme?

If it rains, is it pouring?

No. Stop complaining.

There are days when I am hurt and can’t work out. Where I know my body needs rest instead of forcing it to wake up with the sun.

There are interrupted schedules with client deadlines, personal trips or emergencies.

That is the beauty and flexibility of knowing I will have time to get it all done and what I wanted as an entrepreneur. I respect the fact that I get to work from home with freedom and flexibility frequently used in my vocabulary.

I don’t take for granted or mooch off the fact I can walk downstairs for lunch or adjust my work to my husband’s schedule. This is what I wanted and I STILL get to do what I love.

You should always place work before play. How else would you enjoy the hell out of playtime without feeling guilty?

Amateurs do what they want, when they want.

Professionals do what needs to be done; like it or not.

What are the fundamentals?

Cut out the crap.

Yuck. Or Yikes. Or Yuck and Yikes! 

What is holding you back? Money? Time? Resources? People?

 

Figure it out then clean house.

If your business requires certain funds or equipment start doing what you need to do to get those so you can transition into doing what you want to do.

Get your legalities figured out. Reach out to people who can teach, mentor and help you. Do the research and stay grounded in reality while playing with the creative ideas bouncing around in your head. That’s what these people did and now their dreams are launched.

You have to start somewhere. It doesn’t need to be pretty, clean or perfect but it needs to be out there. People need to know what you are up to. They need to know you exist and this is what you’re doing. You can only edit an essay that’s been written; you can’t edit one that doesn’t exist. (ahhhh so wise, wise one.) 

You’re either committed to being a professional or you’re not. Be honest with yourself.

Prove it to yourself every day.

*I’ve got a post coming up on what you can do for free vs. what you should pay for. Subscribe on the right and, until then, feel free to search my blog and website!

 

 

Do I expect to have everything done in one day? No. Don’t expect instant gratification (with anything, really). 

Do I practice what I preach perfectly? Absolutely not. But I repeat to myself that THIS is who I am and I’m going to keep showing up for myself, my business and my goals. No matter what.

But I find great pride in the fact that I show up every day and keep myself focused.

I’ve seen it pay off bit by bit and I know it will all add up to something wilder than I ever dreamed.

 

Cheers!

Marin

Looking for help writing blogs? Want ideas for creating content? Need to revamp your website’s copy?

Lucky for you, that’s something we do! Start here. 

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Marin Davis Founder and Owner of Local Collaborative

You’re Not Too Good For Hashtags. The Importance of Branding on Instagram

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If you’re one of the 1 billion people who use Instagram each month, you’ve likely seen the shift from food pictures and sunsets in sepia tones to the mecca of influencers. With more than 500 million people using the platform every day, it’s no wonder there’s been a massive surge of effort placed on a photo and IG presence.

You’re likely using the platform for personal use to keep in touch with friends but you also follow comedy accounts or your favorite brands.

If you were to search La Croix, Nike or McDonalds would you be surprised if an official account didn’t show up?

If you were to search Melania Trump, the Obamas or an SNL cast member to follow and support them would you be bummed that nothing came up? Remember how big of a deal it was when the British Royals got on the platform?

 

Instagram is a visual brand. Humans are visual beings.

More than 80 percent of people will buy something solely based on how it looks.

If you have a brand you need to be utilizing Instagram and one other platform. End of story.

Another reason the grid of squares dominates the online world is of the intimacy of it. You can post stories to keep people updated every minute of your day if you’d like, you can go Live to bring them into a moment in real time or you can interact in the comments or DMs.

If you have a business account you can check the exact stats of your audience but a majority of IG users are scrolling through the platform in the evening. Picture this (*Pun not intended but enjoyed). You’re lying in bed, scrolling through images before you go to sleep. You see photos of people’s faces, their homes, their pets and their kids. You read long captions filled with emojis teaching life lessons, selling products or asking you to take action on something.

There is a lot of potential for influence there.

You can check out some more stats here.

 

 

Maybe now you understand WHY Instagram is so important so let’s get into the HOW.

Much like imposter syndrome, it’s important to realize it’s not about YOU, it’s about YOUR BRAND.

I don’t personally do too much editing on my photos nor do I seek to be an influencer for a brand so I can do what I want and when I want. I do try to stay active with my friends online and share support and interaction with other small business owners. It’s a great networking platform.

Once you have your photo you can create a witty, catchy or serious caption. What are you trying to tell your audience? What do you want them to take away? Where do you want them to click? Where do you want them to go or what should they do?

While you cannot directly click on a link in captions you can direct them to your bio.

See how it’s one large loop? That’s why it is SO important for your branding to be complete and consistent. Here’s five steps on how you can do that.

Don’t want to overhaul your social media alone? We can do it for you. 

Start with your bio.

Start simple. Is your profile photo going to be a logo or your face? If it’s a personal brand, clearly show your face. If it’s a brand, show the correctly formatted logo.

Next, write your bio. I like following Jenna Kutcher’s suggestion of choosing five pillars to post around and make sure you pinpoint those in your bio. *CONSISTENCY!* While this is an old bio, you get the picture of what you can expect. 

I need to know exactly what to expect from you, who you are and what you do. Let your personality shine!

jenna kutcher bio

You’ll notice there’s a character limit on bios. Want to add more? Try this:

  1. Open the note app on your phone.
  2. Type out your bio, using the return button to create new lines of text. Emojis take up more character space than text but add them in place of words if/when you can! Cut any excess words or fluff and leave the good stuff.
  3. Once you’re happy with your bio, copy the text.
  4. Open your Instagram app and navigate to “Edit Profile”
  5. In the “Bio” field and paste your text into the box.

You are also only allowed one link. I would suggest this link be to your website but if you’re a company who regularly posts offers for your audience to take advantage of, I recommend creating a free Linktree account.

Linktree gives you the ability to post this month’s newsletter, your website, your Facebook page and your current offers all without having to update frequently. Simply say ‘Direct Link In Bio’ in your captions and you’re always set!

 

Make your grid consistent.

This might seem minuscule but by making your brand consistent online you will be able to showcase quickly to new viewers who you are, what you do and what they can expect. Like this.

ig branding grid

Is your brand outdoorsy and rustic or bright and cheerful? What preset for editing are you consistently making? Are you using reds and pinks or hints of yellow?

If I were to look at your grid as if it were a magazine would I be scrolling through seeing people’s faces, plates of food, or a mix of nature and quotes? Is it all product focused or are you also showing some BTS actions of those creating the product? Another favorite of mine is looking at grids where they follow a posting pattern like this.

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You can look at your competition to see what they are doing, get tips from major companies or start new. Whatever you decide, be aware that the highlights bar should follow the same ‘rules.’

 

Your messaging should be the star…

Are you known for long, story time captions? Or quick one-liners? Test out a few and see which get the best response from your audience. You don’t always have to say something poetic or a life coach lesson but if you have something relevant and pressing on your mind, share it. People always respond best to authenticity.

A problem many people run into while writing lengthy captions is spacing issues. To ensure your editing is accurate and your formatting is the same as it was in the notes app, remove spaces after each period. Go to the end of the last sentence and backspace. Add emojis in between paragraphs to emphasize your message and insert some character.

When creating your Branding + Positioning Strategy you were provided with a brand voice. The way you speak, the words you use, the repetition of your brand’s mission statement and phrases you repeat or stay away from are all part of your messaging. Stay consistent in your bio, captions, replies and videos and you will be set.

…and your hashtags the backup dancers.

You are not too goo for hashtags! Even if they seem to get annoying. That’s why I add

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.

.

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after each caption. To ensure my message gets across but my hashtags are still performing well for interaction. Posts with at least one hashtag average 12.6% more engagement.

7 out of 10 hashtags on Instagram are branded. This can be #Target or more specific #TargetStyle. While it may be tempting to #Love #Follow or something else popular you will actually get in front of more people by niching down. You’re not just a #blogger you’re a #KCBlogger or #LifestyleBlogger. If you’re new to this world try to get 3 niche hashtags, 3 location hashtags and 3 generic hashtags.

It’s important to note you will perform best if you stick to the 30 hashtag limit. **Reminder to remove the spaces after the periods, paragraphs and hashtags.**

CONTENT IS KEY. HASHTAGS ARE THE CHERRY ON TOP.

If you’re consistently posting the same type of content or if you’re posting for a client, I would create hashtag blocks and have them saved in your phone notes or on your computer to easily copy and paste.

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As Things Change They Stay The Same

The algorithms are always changing so you’re best bet is to test out a variety of things, share an array of photos and focus on moving forward. Stay consistent enough to give tactics a good shot but don’t be afraid to switch things up and play around.

At the end of the day you should never focus all of your efforts on one platform in case it were to ever shut down (which is why having a website you own is so important.) It can be the most influential platform you focus on but at the end of the day it is also just a page of photos. You can do everything right but if you don’t focus your main efforts on your customer experience you can kiss the likes goodbye.

 

Cheers!

Marin

Ready to brand your business? Let’s get started.

All You Need Is Less

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I’ve slowly been renovating my website. This usually starts with revamping the copy and then moving more in depth as I get into it.

While updating the main page, I came across a phrase I fell in love with.

All You Need Is Less.

When first starting this branding and marketing agency I knew I wanted to focus on a local business feel, a collaborative effort, starting from simple roots and providing endless potential. Like my tagline in the cover video here.

 

While working with small business owners I have noticed they are all seeking to start from the basics (usually designing a logo, putting out convertable content on a regular basis and/or building a website.)

I also see quite a few mental obstacles several entrepreneurs aren’t ready to face. Maybe they’re scared the products are too expensive (Spoiler Alert: Local Collaborative is more affordable than a majority of your subscription services!) or there’s a fear of commitment to sharing log-in info or having someone else’s vision navigate what you’ve put blood, sweat and tears into building.

So they attempt to go at it themselves. Because it seems simple enough, right?

Then what happens…

Things happen. Life happens. Business occupies all of your time and social media is the last thing you should be focusing on (NO, NO, NO!! Please share everything about your business online! People LOVE BTS of who and what they’re buying!)

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Similar to when I am on a run, I continually repeat You Can Slow Down But You CANNOT Stop. Would it be great to post 3-5x a week for your audience? Yes, that’s why you bring in help to make that happen. Is it more necessary to put out one post a week to let them know your doors are still open?

Absolutely. 

-You can slow down but you can’t stop.-

 

Your track record, so far, of making it through bad days is 100%. You have so far overcome or learned from every problem or issue that’s arose. Remember how many times you’ve been in that position and had that feeling? You’ve done it before. You can do it again. You can slow down but you cannot stop getting in front of your audience, serving them with massive value and putting yourself out there like all of your competitors are.

Make a goal RIGHT NOW to post at least once a week. Anything. A video, a photo, a client testimony or a helpful tip. If people aren’t seeing your posts or hearing from you then they don’t know you’re still in business and they will never refer or buy from you.

Check out our portfolio for the results and insane transformations businesses (like yours) experience with simple efforts.

 

Cheers!

Marin

Need a logo? Want a FREE review of your current marketing approach? Schedule a quick, FREE Discovery Session here. 

Two Romantic Weekend Getaways in Washington State

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Who doesn’t love a weekend getaway to celebrate an anniversary, Valentine’s Day or the solace of a long weekend off work?

We sure do! And we take advantage of time together whenever possible.

If you’re looking for trips on either coast, Midwest or anywhere else check out the Passport section of my blog for some awesome ideas and detailed itineraries. BOOM I’ve already planned it for you!

These two weekend trips are great for a three to four day weekend so you can drive out and really enjoy the areas. No matter what you like, there’s something for everyone. Check them out!

LAKE CHELAN, WA

Even though Lake Chelan would make the perfect warm weather destination for their lake activities, it was also a great Valentine’s weekend for hiding from the cold and wine tasting.

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Driving in there are so many wineries and fruit fields!

We stayed at Campbell’s Resort which will commonly come up on your searches as the main place to stay. The location and restaurant were great and while the rooms were decent, they were not what we saw in the photos. There are several different sections to the hotel and we were fine with the cheapest room block just to have a place to sleep. You’ll be exploring, anyway!

Campbell’s Resort stock photo

Campbell’s is also a great choice because this area is so spread out. We prefer to walk to the bars, drink and eat our way through town then walk back so we will pay a little bit more to do that. There are a few options in town for you to choose from if you want to walk, otherwise grab a ride to venture out.

We have a habit of visiting a local Italian restaurant whenever we travel and if there were ever a romantically lit room with fantastic food and delicious local wine, Andante‘s is it! This intimate restaurant is packed with style and character and made for a great date night.

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We enjoyed a few more drinks at some nearby casual bar, Stormy Mountain Brewing and Local Public House. Super friendly staff and laid back vibe!

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“Designated as an official American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 2009, Lake Chelan offers a one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience featuring over 30 wineries hugging the shores of a breathtaking lake.” – Lake Chelan Visitor’s Website

Our plan for the first full day was to go wine tasting in the Manson area. so while we waited for the vendors to open up we explored local shops and grabbed YUMMY (seriously) pizza at Westside Pizza.

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Getting to and from the wineries was my least favorite part of the entire trip. There are several options to get taxis, limos or other forms of shuttles but we opted for a local casino’s shuttle.

Of course they will stop halfway at the Mill Bay Casino where you will have to wait about 30 minutes until the next ride comes along. We decided to grab drinks and play a few games while we waited (it is a free shuttle so this is what they bank on you doing).

 DO NOT load one of their stupid cards, just use your money elsewhere. If you do load the card play, play, play until you use all of your money!

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This was a fun thing to do together except I was 24 hours post Lasik surgery so the smoke was not friendly to my new eyes. Getting off the shuttle in the village center puts you right next to the local restaurants, bars, wineries and shops. This is a great little strip! While you could drive and easily find parking, it was also smarter to just use the shuttle.

Walk around, try the wines, pair them with food and chocolate, grab a beer and supper at Lake Chelan Brewing Co. and enjoy the night. We caught the last shuttle back and went out for a few more drinks on the town.

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We wrapped up the trip with a breakfast in Campbell’s Pub and Veranda. Service will be very busy pretty much all the time so expect to exercise patience.

LEAVENWORTH, WA

Oh, how I wish we had visited Leavenworth more than one time. Everyone has a little German town near them but Leavenworth is popular for wedding and event destinations, beer, wine, great food and a gorgeous, intricate town. It’s especially popular (and insanely booked up + expensive) over Oktoberfest and Christmas time.

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Leavenworth is a Bavarian-styled village in the Cascade Mountains, in central Washington State. Alpine-style buildings with restaurants serving German beer and food line Front Street. The Nutcracker Museum displays thousands of nutcrackers, some dating back centuries. On the Wenatchee River, Waterfront Park is a habitat for ospreys and eagles. The village is a gateway to nearby ski areas and wineries.

-Source Online.

As you drive into this small town, every home and business is decked out in the appropriate Bavarian style architecture. Our hotel, The Evergreen Inn, hosted us in the Jacuzzi/Fireplace Suite ( #51 ) which was an awesome, large space for us! The feel is definitely that of an old family cabin but it was still a space entirely our own and not the typical cramped motel room.

Private entrance to our suite at The Evergreen Inn.

It was walking distance to the main strip and, even though it was cold and still decorated from Christmas in February, we didn’t mind the walk one bit.

We stopped in for drinks at several awesome breweries and distilleries, one of our favorites being Icicle Brewing Company! We also got a tour of a local distillery.

Vodka Distillery
Vodka Distillery
Vodka Distillery tour. They were making mango vodka here.
Icicle Brewing Co.

I’m sure if you walk around you will end up in all of the same places as we did but a majority of these places you walk into for a drink will be casual; come and drink as you are. There are basement wineries, rundown pubs, karaoke, classical music, corner bar and cafe’s…something for everyone to enjoy!

If you want a beautiful view with a more upscale feel, the infamous Visconti’s will give you a gorgeous date night. You also need to have an empty stomach for the authentic German food at another popular choice: Andreas Keller. You will want to make a reservation at these two places, or anywhere that you visit.

Another bonus is this town is very family, kid and dog friendly. If you’re a couple or looking for a family vaca, head out to Leavenworth. You will NOT be disappointed!

There are so many stores, shops, shows and things to do in Leavenworth and just outside of town you don’t need to drink the whole time if that’s not your thing. On our way out of town we filled up on a breakfast at Sandy’s Waffle Haus and hiked riverside through knee deep snow at Wenatchee National Park just outside of town.

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No, not the most prepared compared to the snowshoing visitors but it was incredibly fun and we still laugh at memories we made there. We always love playing hard then getting out to work hard.

Hope you had a great time visiting! If you have any places we must visit on the east coast, please let me know.

 

Cheers to another year of traveling and exploring!

Marin

Need a website update? Or maybe you need a website created in the first place? Let’s Talk. 

My Favorite Takeaways from Rachel Hollis

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After reading the extremely hyped-up book Girl, Wash Your Face and a recent feature in Success magazine, it’s easy to tell why everyone fan-girls over Rachel Hollis. With her new book, Girl, Stop Apologizing out now I wanted to come back to some of my favorite takeaways.

Whether you’ve read them or not, here are some great pick-me-ups for you today and to share with your friends!

 

Looking for ways to set goals? Download our FREE Goals Sheet! 

 

Rachel Hollis Girl, Wash Your Face Chapter 3

“In order to be loved I felt like I needed to produce or achieve something as a kid. I’m always reminded of something bigger I could be doing. Prove my worth in career and personal life.”

I FELT this. I grew up always playing sports, competing in 4-H, putting myself out there and getting used to some kind of activity that had an outcome of an award to be won. Now in the ‘real world’ there aren’t always awards to be won, titles to be earned or end goal in mind. You’re either satisfied or unsatisfied with what you’ve done.

Rachel Hollis Girl, Wash Your Face Chapter 4

“Imagine what you would have missed if you had just showed up for yourself.”

Accountability comes from love. Judgement comes from hate, jealousy, etc.
The Number One thing women crave is friends.There’s that need for connection, belonging and networking. Yet we struggle with how to make friends, keep friends and/or find friends.
Going off that, a different quote I saw online said:

“If you look for outside validation to feed you, you will always be hungry.”

You’re not the only one who feels guilt, regret or the only person who has gone through something. Every day you’re setting expectations for yourself.

 

Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business.

This includes the bad reviews. The gossip. The comments. Never hold other’s opinions over your own. Comparing those opinions of someone 100% not invested in you and your company to creating something from your heart and something you hope finds recognition.

If you’re doing this as a gift. you can’t make others like it. I have a majority of friends and family who don’t read, interact or like my stuff. That can’t make me stop working.

A mean review can’t make you a bad writer, restaurant owner or wood builder. You have to care more about what you’re putting out there than how it will be received.

 

Being Told No. “No is only an answer if you accept it.”

I had big dreams and plans. I thought I would work in top-notch advertising agencies or marketing firms with awesome clients and work my way up.

What was my reality? I was crying with what felt like a sense of relief paired with feeling like a failure. I had six months of zero income and was questioned about things I felt guilty on doing for myself. After 12 months of being ‘in business’ people are still saying comments about how I’m getting this off the ground and if I want a job they can help out.

It’s not always about talent, skill, money or connections.

“My dreams are not something for someone else to manage. No means slow down.”

– Rachel Hollis

Even if slowing down means you need to change course to reach your destination, even though I don’t know what that is, that’s okay. It’s not happening TO you; it’s FOR you.

You need to decide to stop giving up.

Decide to stop believing the excuses you’re making.

If Rachel had been told her book would never sell, she never would have been a best-selling author. Just because someone is listed as a ‘professional’ in their field doesn’t mean their words are life or death. Nothing that lasts comes quickly. No legacy is based on any one moment.

 

The things you think are difficult are someone else’s dream. The chaos you want is something others are wishing for. Babysitting, kids, move, changing, scary, hard, overwhelming. You name it. Find something to rejuvenate you and your love for what your life is.

 

At the end of Girl, Wash Your Face they have a Q&A section that I particularly loved.

When you look at your goals and where you want to be in the next 5-10 years, ask yourself ‘Who am I? Where am I? Where do I want to go?’

Is your current schedule reflecting that?

I always get asked how I’m able to work from home but this is what I want to do. For my job environment, for our schedule, for our future.

My health and fitness, get that same attention every morning because that’s important in my goals.

I want my own money and career and success so I make sure I put in a certain of hours for my clients and for my own brand.

I based hourly off of what I want income to be and my annual income goal shows me how many clients I need to bring in through brands and services. This is how I keep myself accountable.

It’s easy for me to get s*** done when I am extremely clear on what I am doing. I want to be a great wife, a great friend and a great mom and boss in the future so when I work hard during the day I know I can close the office door feeling accomplished. When that happens, I can 100% enjoy cooking, playing with my dog, spending time with my husband and enjoying things I love doing with people I love doing them with.

 

I hope a few of these rambling thoughts and spin-offs are something you’re able to look for in your everyday life. I hope you wash your face, stop apologizing and put your own passions above other’s opinions of you.

And I wish you luck!

 

Cheers!

Marin

Looking for ways to set goals? Download our FREE Goals Sheet! 

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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Every April in Washington state there’s a liiitttllllee thing called the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Even if you haven’t heard of it, I am sure you’ve seen the photos. We went April 22, 2018. 

Before going, I was curious about where the festival was, how much it cost, what there was to do and I had a few other questions.

First, you need to know this is an area full of tulip farms near a town where they host the actual ‘Tulip Town festival’. Because of the draw of the attraction there will be a lot of traffic so plan for extra drive time. We parked in the back lot near a bank and walked into the main street of the town for their festival which was more like a street of live music and vendors.

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We stopped in for a beer and lunch at a local pub after checking out the tents and tried to decide which tulip farm we wanted to visit. There are several to go to and, from what I was seeing, for free. As you drive out there are loads of signs to turn into different fields but we only visited one. I was extremely pleased with the the one near Swinomish Village.

 

You’ll have to remember it is an actual working farm so it’s very muddy. I know you’ll want to wear a cute outfit but incorporate boots you don’t mind getting muddy into that outfit!

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It’s hard to understand just how gorgeous it is in person vs. photography. The fields are separated by colors, solid vs. mixed pattern flowers and toward the back were daffodils and other types of flowers.

 

For a majority of you, this will be several hours of a drive. Before you go you can check out the weather in the area, the bloom times, and other news updates. It’s worth taking your kids and friends up for a day trip! Note that pets are not allowed and walking in the fields is not allowed. More information begins here. If you’re looking to stay up there for a weekend there are several things to do in the area and the surrounding areas. One of which is Anacortes.

Cheers!
Marin

Are you looking for someone to create social media content for your company? Write your monthly newsletters? Create a logo? Great news. Local Collaborative does all that and more. Reach out here. 

How To Own Your Business Before It Owns You (And What You’re Doing Illegally On Facebook)

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What’s your name?

Ok, now go buy YourName.com.

Even if you’re unsure of what you want to do, in what industry or what to call it. The number one way to own your business is to create, manage and improve your sites and systems. You cannot improve or evaluate something that isn’t happening.

The countdown is on: March 31st is the LAST DAY this year we’re offering 50% off of our Branding and Positioning Strategy. Even if you’re curious, unsure or have a few questions, let’s talk!

I can’t tell you how many people come to us looking for one solution and end up realizing where all of the gaps in their business actually are. This isn’t your fault that you’ve missed this…sometimes you just need someone with an outside eye to help out. You might not even be aware some solutions existed.

Opportunities are problems in search of solutions-Denis Waitley

The FIrst challenge is…

Figuring out what you need and why. Like social media and website pages for instance. You either ‘think you need it’ or ‘think you don’t.’ But this isn’t about YOU. This is about your clients and potential clients. Where do they go to read reviews? Where do they go to view your portfolio? Where do they go to book a call or service with you?

Then there’s the days you find all of your eggs in one basket…and the basket was tossed around in the trunk of an off-roading pickup.

If one site were to crash how else do you stay in contact with your friends? You should always have a website and then one or two of the main social media sites where your target audience hangs out.

Whether working for yourself or a MLM (Multi-Level Marketing: Arbonne, MaryKay, Senegence, Herbalife, etc.) never assume they will be around forever. They are just as susceptible to going bankrupt or shutting down as anyone else. They could get reported, blocked or shut down.

 

Did you know it’s actually illegal to do business on your personal facebook page? 

 

How many times were you added to a LipSense Facebook page only to silence notifications or stealthily sneak out a few weeks later? *Raise your hand with me.*

Using a company’s branding on your personal page or creating platforms not only drives people away from you but it’s also against Facebook Terms of Service to do business on your personal page. If the attraction of an MLM or owning your own business and freedom how are you protecting it? If you were reported or had your page taken down, what would you do? Where would you go?

How do you avoid losing everything you’ve worked so hard to build? I repeat.

  1. Create your own website. If you like the freedom, the structure and the support then establish a website page under your name or your business name.
  2. Create your own business page. Not sure what platforms your target audience is on? Not even sure who your target audience is? Luckily for you that’s what we specialize in.
  3. Own your own business. Do not depend 100% on any platform or business. If something goes down, keep your business going and serve your clientele base.

 

The second challenge is

Interaction. If you’re blaming the algorithm (ugh, please don’t) for not showing your content to your people then increase your MEANINGFUL interaction. Block out 10-20 minutes a day to COMMENT, READ, AND MESSAGE real life people.

Avoid mindlessly going through and tossing emojis but supporting someone. Make it a goal to interact with 10 people while you’re online during your Netflix shows. Business and Pleasure.

Treat your social media as if it were a Spotify playlist. The more people see you post, like it, interact and comment, it will help boost you.

 

A man’s glove should show what he has done not what he hasn’t.
(I do not own the rights to this photo)

The THIRD challenge is

…One I’m going to toss in because you should hear it. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you should or need to. If it feels overwhelming or tedious, hire someone to help. Hire someone better, faster or smarter than you. What can you outsource in your business and in your home?

What is important for you to focus on? What are the things you want to be known for? What do you want to be really freaking good at?

Chase those. Focus on those. Protect your business. You’re obviously doing something that you’re passionate about for one reason or another so OWN IT.

 

Cheers!

Marin

The countdown is on: March 31st is the LAST DAY this year we’re offering 50% off of our Branding and Positioning Strategy. Even if you’re curious, unsure or have a few questions, let’s talk!