Ready for Payment

My friend Angela Dayton, a very successful seminar presenter, gave me advice in January. Angela told me that to start my business I should give 10-15 free seminars. By mid May I will have given 10-11 free seminars and every one of them have gone well.

After my 10/11th seminar I will start to charge for my seminars. I have already contacted my block club that I'm a member of and I also was able to speak to the women that is in charge of all the block clubs communications in my community. That women has offered to send a massive email to all the block club announcing my availability to teach a workshop on self defense to any and all clubs for a charge.

April 16th seminar

Last night I gave a seminar at the Cattaraugus Branch Relief Society, I was expecting the Young Women to be in attendance but some how that did not work. The seminar went well, I gave out my business card to every one, and I announced that I will be charging companies for my seminar in the very near future. One of the women asked if I taught this in a school setting and when I said yes, she said that she would bring it up to her school district.

May's Schedule

In May I have three seminars so far scheduled. I will be presenting at Everywoman Opportunity Center, Inc., Buffalo Ward Buffalo New York Stake Relief Society and Young Women, and Women for Human Rights and Dignity

Everywoman Opportunity Center, Inc is a "...not-for-profit corporation to help women (displaced home makers) achieve economic and personal self-sufficiency, and has been a regional employment service provider for 30 years."

Relief Society is "Female Church members ages 18 and older belong to the Relief Society. The Relief Society was founded by the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois. In the days of its founding, it had two main purposes: to provide relief for the poor and needy and to bring people to Christ. The organization continues today, staying true to those original guiding principles as women in the Relief Society meet together on Sunday and in other settings as needed."

Young Women's is "The purpose of the Young Women organization is to help each young woman, ages 12 to 18, "come unto Christ" (Moroni 10:32).

By following the Savior's example and teachings, she can:

• Solidify her testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.
• Fulfill her mortal mission.
• Return to live with her Heavenly Father."

Women for Human Rights and Dignity was organized during the 1970's due to a horrific tragedy that occurred to a mother and her children. One of the missions of the organization is to empower and support the role of motherhood.

April's schedule

This month I will be having one seminar so far. The seminar will be held at Cattaraugus Branch Buffalo New York Stake and I will be presenting to the Relief Society as well as the Young Women.

Relief Society is "Female Church members ages 18 and older belong to the Relief Society. The Relief Society was founded by the Prophet Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842, in Nauvoo, Illinois. In the days of its founding, it had two main purposes: to provide relief for the poor and needy and to bring people to Christ. The organization continues today, staying true to those original guiding principles as women in the Relief Society meet together on Sunday and in other settings as needed."

Young Women's is "The purpose of the Young Women organization is to help each young woman, ages 12 to 18, "come unto Christ" (Moroni 10:32).

By following the Savior's example and teachings, she can:

• Solidify her testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.
• Fulfill her mortal mission.
• Return to live with her Heavenly Father."

Todays Seminar

Today I gave a seminar that went very well. Not as many women were there as were supposed to be.

I gave my business card to every one. Each woman at the seminar said that they knew another group that could benefit from my presentation.

Every seminar is an opportunity to network and get other seminars scheduled.

Another Seminar

Tomorrow I will be giving another seminar on Women's Self Defense. I will be going to the orgainzation Church Women United.

Church Women United is part of a larger group called Network of Religious Communities

From their web site http://www.religiousnet.org/
"The Network of Religious Communities (NRC) is an interreligious/ecumenical organization of denominations, congregations, and religious organizations located in Western New York State, U.S.A. and the Niagara Peninsula of Southern Ontario, Canada.

Our purpose is to:
*foster interreligious, ecumenical, and interracial understanding, dialogue, and cooperation
*facilitate collaboration in areas of common concern and in response to the needs of the residents our region
*promote justice, peace, and the common good — as expressed in the faith traditions of our members. "

Incredible Seminar

Today I had an incredible seminar. I had the Seminar at the Joan A. Male Family Support Center. Before going I had asked what the main concern would possibly be that I might want to discuss during the seminar on self-defense. The main concern was that most of the workers were needing to go into neighborhoods that weren't always safe.

I will post the comments that I received today on my other blog Seminar Comments

I addressed that concern through 1) being aware of ones environment, 2) listening to the inner voice, 3)de-escalating a situation, 4) planning an alternative means by which they visited their clients, 5) basic physical self defense moves, 6)teaching them that they had the right to defend themselves and never to give up.

Today was a great networking seminar also. One of the participants is going to call me to set up another seminar to give to a group of teen age girls. The director also spoke to me about a larger organization that their organization is a part of. She told me that when I was ready to sell my seminars that I should tell her because that larger organization pays for presenters to give seminars on a number of topics. She told me that I should keep in contact with her about the future seminar topics so she could tell the other organization---she would sell me to them.

This weeks Seminar

This week I will be giving a seminar at Joan A. Male Family Support Center. The seminar is on women's self defense but there will be a couple of men in the group. One of the topics that I will be discussing is abuse in the marriage and what to do.

I'm exited to be going to this particular place, due to all of the great things that they are doing to help families. They have many different services. Below is a discription, and here is the link http://www.joanamale.org/index.html

"The Joan A. Male Family Support Center program combines immediate response with the provision of concrete services for families experiencing issues of child abuse and neglect. Simultaneous, multiple interventions focus on improving coping skills, educating parents on child development, facilitating bonding and communication with children, and increasing parents’ ability to approach helping resources. Family need and individual service plans dictate the combination of services provided."

Things that I have learned

This is what I have learned from each seminar so far

1) Know your audience. This makes the seminar more meaningful to the participants.

• Each seminar needs to be a bit customized, based on the needs of the participants.
• Before presenting ask the organization what their major concerns maybe about the topic. Have they had any major incident or problem that has made them want the seminar?
• Try to learn as much as you can about the organization and the people that are part of it.

2) Always get feedback from your audience. How else will you improve? How else will you know if you gave meaningful information?
These are some helpful questions

• Ask your participants at the end of the seminar to write their comments
• Ask your participants if they would change the seminar in any way
• was the seminar interesting---why?
• was the seminar helpful--why/how?
• will they be using the information that they learned--where/how?
  

3) Have a handout. This will help the participants remember what you presented. This may also give you another seminar some where else---networking

• place your contact information
• summary of information---short one

4) Sell---something that you have written, recorded, items...etc.

• ask the following questions before doing this step

1. does it pertain to the seminar topic
2. is it something that the participants will find a value in

Tuesday is a long day

Tuesday I have an appointment, in the early evening, to go and explain what my seminar is to an organization that helps women. I look forward to learning more about their organization.

Later during the night I will be giving a seminar to a group of women that belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They belong to the Niagara Falls Ward Relief Society and young women

Team Building Seminar

Recently I was given the idea to ask for feedback from my participants after I give a seminar. Ideas; create surveys, hand out post it notes, hand out pieces or paper. In the education world we sometimes call these Ticket Out the Door. Give the people time toward the end to collect their thoughts and write them down.

The last seminar I co presented at (Team Building) we gave out post it notes to each participant and a pen. Each one of us that presented stood strategically around the room so that we would make sure we got the post it back as well as the pen. I stood right at the door.

The seminar went very well. We received a great deal of positive feedback from our presentation. I think I will be creating another blog that just shows the different feedback from the seminars that I am involved with.

Too Funny

Today while making follow up calls to offer my seminar to women's groups I called one and asked to speak to my contact. The secretary told me that my contact wasn't at that specific office today. I than asked the secretary if the contact was at the other office. The secretary told me yes, and than put me no hold. After being taken off of hold the secretary came back on the line and asked me my name and what I was calling for. I was put on hold again. Than the secretary told me that she wasn't sure where my contact was and if I wanted I could leave a voice mail for her. I left a voice mail. I have made three calls and 1 email to this contact within January and Feb. She hasn't returned my calls yet, so I'm moving on.

Another Day

Today I went and subbed at my regular job. While subbing on my break I got a call for another seminar, yahoo!!! This seminar is a free one also. I'm still trying to build my reputation up as a speaker.

I decided to write a book after much contemplation as well as struggling with the Lord. The only reason why I am under going this venture is because I believe that the Lord wants me to. I'm not sure why He wants me to, at times it concerns me why, but I can't think of that.

Busy Day

Today I gave a seminar with Susan Dayton and Adrian Dayton. I presented on Team Building. We were paid, Susan was kind to share the pay. The seminar went very well. I used the yarn experiment and the Helium experiment.

After I was done with the seminar I went and collected another story for my book. My book will be about different women that have had trials, have overcome them and come out of them stronger. I hope that this book becomes a place that women can draw strength from. I hope that the women reading the book will find out how these women, that I interview, have survived as well as flourished and become the strong women they are today.

Saturday I will be collecting another story. I am trying to get my mom comfortable with giving me her story.

This weeks agenda

This week I will be giving two seminars. The topic of one is Bullying and Self-Defense and being taught to youth. The other topic that I will be giving a seminar on is Team Building and that will be taught to 60 social workers.

Disappointments

I am posting this in the attempts of helping any women that ever thinks of going into business for herself or is trying to achieve a dream. I hope that my posts can encourage, uplift, as well as show you how I accomplished my dream.

At this point my dream is now a major goal, it has not yet come to fruition, but I am working on it. I have to tell the truth some days are a bit disappointing and I some times even wonder if this business will ever come together and actually earn me money one day.

In the process of trying to start my business I have called many different businesses and offered them free seminars and many of them just don't return my calls. Some tell me that they will call me back but never do.

What's still propelling me forward in my endeavors? My husband is my greatest cheerleader and believer in my cause. I am grateful to him. I also have a fairly strong vision of what I want---and to continually remind myself of that.

Any thing that I have ever have wanted I have had to work for. I don't mean just work a bit and than get it but really work for it, some times blood, sweat, tears and mighty prayer. I am pulling on those experiences also when I get discouraged, realizing that I have been able to do all the things in my life due to hard work as well as divine intervention....this is where my power lies.

How do you get business?

Most days that I am not giving seminars or working, I am calling businesses and offering them a free seminar. Angela Dayton, a very successful women business owner, suggested that I give 10-15 free seminars before I start charging people. I am fairly an unknown speak at this point, so Angela told me to be a known speaker I need to get out and show people what I'm made of---make a name for myself.

After giving my first seminar one of the other presenters that day asked me for my business information because she was interested in getting me to give a seminar at her place of business. She gave me her information also. This is what people call networking. After the seminar I called the other presenter and offered the same seminar to her company, which she was very pleased with. I sent her an outline so she could get it okayed with her company.

When any one requests information about this seminar I send out an email that outlines the basics of the seminar along with my background. When the women saw my back ground she invited me to come to her office and gave my resume to her boss. They asked me to fill out an application for an adjunct instructor. I filled out the application and there is probably going to be a position come open in April that I will take.

So the first seminar was very good for me for a number of different reasons; 1) I gave an excellent presentation and feel that I was able to empower a group of women that are vulnerable, 2) I was requested back in May to give a follow up seminar, 3) I networked and got another seminar day scheduled, 4) I may be working as an adjunct instructor at a good college where I maybe able to network more.

I am grateful for the wonderful guidance from Angela Dayton. I believe that I will be able to succeed due to her guidance as well as doing my part. My part? Calling, making appointments, following up, networking, and giving great seminars (always reflecting after each one).

Got Lemons? Make Lemonade.

What inspired me to start this business?

I am a Math teacher by profession, I have a permanent NY State Teaching Certificate. I have a Masters in Education a Bachelors in Communication and an Associates degree in Math, Science and Liberal Arts.

Since November I have been substituting with no full time work. Before that I was teaching full time at a WNY school. I left that school over principle. I as a teacher was not allowed the autonomy to provide the education I proved I could provide in a system that has year after year failed those children. The curriculum became more important than the student, that is to say a certain pace needed to be maintained department wise wether the students were "getting it" or not. Many teachers were upset with this, but were able to live with it and tow the line. I could not. Perhaps the system isn't ready to get fixed yet but I can't voluntarily be part of the problem. In my oppion maintaining integrity is more important than keeping a job.

Since Christmas there hasn't been a great deal of need for substitutes at the schools I sub at, so in essense I am unemployed. My husband was laid off right after Christmas from his job so he's unemployed too.

So what do people do when they are unemployed? They write tons of resumes, go to career fairs, register at temp agencies and wait for a job.

On top of that, my husband and I decided to review our talents, skills, abilities. We have both decided to start business's.

I have been taking martial arts for the last 5 years clocking over 1000 hours. I have been teaching in inner city schools for the last 5 years. Before becoming a teacher I worked in corporate and volunteer capacities mostly involving teaching and/or presenting.

I realized I have a talent for teaching and presenting. Seminars just made sense---why not make money doing something that I enjoy so much?

As for my husband, he is starting a business as a web designer as well as computer repair and computer training.

We both are working on a book.

What a great year, what a great new adventure!!!

Got Lemons? Make Lemonade.

4th and 5th seminar scheduled

I am so charged up for my 4th and 5th seminar. My fourth seminar is going to be at the Bell center that seminar will be on self-defense/bullying. The seminar will be presented to youth 12-14 years old.

My 5th seminar is going to be in March. International Women's Day is March 8, which is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women. I will be giving my seminar on women's self defense at Bryant & Stratton College later that month.

First Seminar a Smash Hit

Today I gave my first seminar on women's self defense at Women for Human Rights and Dignity. What a great group of people!! Women for Human Rights and Dignity is a not for profit that helps homeless women and their children. All the women are given an apartment to live in as well as strongly encouraged to further their education and training. They have quarterly seminars to help encourage and uplift their participants. I was extremely impressed by the women who run the programs as well as the women who are participants of the program.

Today I learned that Women for Human Rights and Dignity was organized during the 1970's due to a horrific tragedy that occurred to a mother and her children. One of the missions of the organization is to empower and support the role of motherhood. They feel that the role of motherhood is sacred. WOW what a great concept.

I have felt honored to have presented to this group of extraordinary women. I will be giving another seminar there in May---more advanced self-defense.

Third Seminar

I have scheduled my third seminar, February 19. This one I will be team teaching with Susan Dayton. The topic of this seminar will be The Importance of a Team. It will be a very interactive and fun seminar.

2nd Seminar scheduled

I got another seminar booked for May 16th. This is my 2nd. I have a couple more organizations going to call and set something up with me soon. I just sent some information out to them via email.

I am getting excited to see how many places see a need to educate their clients/employees on the topic womens self defense.

First Seminar Prepared

Hear-Me-Roar's first seminar on Womens Self Defense is all prepared and will be given January 24, 2009. I hope this is one of many.

I hope that the women coming to Hear-Me-Roar's seminar will gain some knowledge, empowerment and confidence.

The Start

Check out my new web site
www.Hear-Me-Roar.com

I have created my web site to help empower women. There will be many articles, information, and support for womens issues. Some of the issues that I will be covering are; self defense, motherhood, how to strengthen your marriage, dating ideas, homemaking ideas...etc.

I would love your feed back about my site.

Along with launching my web site I will be giving seminars on self defense to womens groups.