Recipes

Appetizers, casseroles, and delicious desserts all your guests will enjoy.

Party Themes

Looking to invite your friends over for a night of fun, these themed parties will entertain them till the party is over.

Traditions

Creative ideas for instilling your children with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Design

Looking to redecorate or need some inspiration. These are my favorite looks.

Gifts from the heart

Nothing is more personal than when you make a gift and share it with your loved ones. Here are some creative ideas.

Look for love

My thoughts on love and why you should always look for it. You never know when or where it will show up.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Make $ with acai.

Many of you have driven by a car that has the sticker on the back with the words MonaVie applied to it.  Or a person who is glam'd up with this companies name all over their hat, their shirt, jacket and even on their jewelry.  MonaVie is a juice drink featuring the acai (/ah-sah-EE/) berry.  I interviewed numerous people to share the business module and product information.  The interview featured is from Jean and Steve Schulte (JSS) who are extremely passionate about sharing MonaVie.

30daysof: What is the name of your business?
JSS: We are Steve & Jean Schulte - MonaVie Independent Distributors
We have a BOTTLE OF FOOD...19 Superfruits - each hand picked for their superior nutritional value - with the #1 Superfood in the world - the Acai Berry being the CROWN JEWEL!  Combining the BEST of Science and Nature, this singular nutritional beverage is packed with a broad spectrum of phytonutrients and antioxidants to help you feel and look your best!

30daysof: Why did you get started in this business?
JSS: Because we wanted HEALTH AND WELLNESS in our lives on a LONG TERM BASIS and knew our family wasn't eating the 7-10 servings of fruits and vegetables we are supposed to be getting each and every day we started drinking MonaVie - and were SO COMPLETELY blown away by our own personal results we knew we had to share it with others!  I  had Cancer 8 years ago and NEVER wish to get it again...and I fully appreciate and understand the power of ANTIOXIDANTS eliminating FREE RADICALS in our bodies - which are the pre-cursor to cancerous cells.  My main goal has and ALWAYS will be to help people get HEALTHY  both physically AND financially for those who wish to create an additional income stream!  The WELLNESS Industry is the LARGEST sector of industry right now and within that SECTOR the primary driving force is the Functional Food Category or Functional Beverage Category. 
 
I saw HUGE opportunity mixed with a much higher purpose of helping bring a tremendously healthy product to market worldwide.  Initially, we started to share MonaVie to just try and "earn our product for free".  Needless to say....it went WAY beyond that very quickly!  In just 18 months, we've created an additional income stream that matches my full time corporate career annual salary!  And we've created that.....PART TIME!! This is passive, residual income that will bless our family for many years to come!  Now we get the privilege of showing others how to create that for themselves!
 
30daysof: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars?
JSS: The TYPICAL start up cost is a $39 Enrollment Fee and whatever product you purchase at wholesale.  As a MonaVie Stimulus Package - the Enrollment Fee is WAIVED so you can put that into your Product instead!  If you want to be a consumer.....you just need one case per month per adult in your household.  For less than $4.00 a day...you can get the equivalent of 13 servings of fruits and vegetables from an antioxidant content in just 2 oz. twice a day!  MonaVie is a great VALUE....it's always there and ready for you - pour your shot and it tastes great!  If you were to TRY and eat 13 servings of fruit a day - you would no doubt have waste and fruit you would have to throw away due to it "going bad".....you don't have ANY waste with MonaVie!  It's quick, it's easy and it's a value!  Exactly what people want and need! 
 
If you want to build a business.....we have bulk order options that allow you to greatly reduce your cost on a per bottle basis to anywhere between $20-32 a bottle.  You can order 3, 6 or 12 cases to get your business launched and have "no lag" time in being able to put product in people's hands when they say "YES".  

30daysof: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who inspire, etc...
JSS: I read and listen to alot of motivational authors and speakers!  A few of my favorites are Jim Rohn, John Maxwell, Mark Yarnell and Joyce Meyer.  Leaders are readers......and investing in ourselves and in our ongoing personal development is an important aspect of my personal philosophy!

"Success is neither magical nor mysterious.  Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals."  - Jim Rohn

What we think about, we bring about....so feed your mind positive messages and surround yourself with positive people!  It's infectious!  We become our environments!!  
 
30daysof: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer?
JSS: My favorite product is the MONAVIE ACTIVE juice!  It's an amazing whole food that has made a world of difference in my health and my family's health!  I also have to say the MonaVie Gel packs in individual servings refrigerated or frozen are GREAT for  traveling!! (Kids love it too!) 

30daysof: What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?
JSS: Finding ENOUGH time to make ALL the visits and calls to EVERYONE I know and LOVE to share this AMAZING product!!

30daysof: How do you get paid? 
JSS: First of all - MonaVie has the FINEST Compensation Plan in the Industry!  MOST Network Marketing Companies payout only 10-15% of total profits to their Distributorship.  MONAVIE pays out 50% of the GROSS profits on a weekly BASIS - every week for the past 4 years.  

WEEKLY we get paid every FRIDAY.....we call it GOOD FRIDAY in MonaVie!  We get an email notifying us how much MonaVie is depositing to our Mona-Visa card!  

Right now in America.....an extra $500 a month can sometimes be the difference between a family keeping their home or losing it.  We show people how to create that additional income stream coming into their household with this amazing home based business!  And whether your goals are an extra $500 a month or $5,000 - it's all possible!  We are living proof of that!


30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)?
JSS: ABSOLUTELY!!  There are over 300 M people in the US and only about 2 M people thus far consuming MonaVie and only 7% of that figure actively Distributing it!  MonaVie was founded in 2005, and is just 4 years old - and proud to be a Debt Free Company with the profile of a Fortune 100 company.  MonaVie reached the $1 Billion mark in sales in just 3 years - thus making it the fastest growing Network Marketing Company of all time. Faster to the $1 B mark than Amway - which comparatively took them 11 yrs - with a vast product line.  The Management Team is a team of EXCELLENCE!  Our long term goal is to be a $20 Billion Company in 20 years.  At this pace...that won't be a problem!!

30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours?
JSS: When we looked at the Functional Beverage Category -we realized this was the LARGEST sector of the Wellness Industry.  The Functional Beverage Category is a $50 Billion market sector (including MonaVie, Red Bull, Gatorade, Monster, etc)  We felt MonaVie was superior due to it's HIGH antioxidant AND phytonutrient components. It was a HEALTHY beverage that packed much more "punch" than the competition!  There are 11,000 Baby Boomers retiring everyday.  They all want to be healthy, active and stay looking and feeling young!  What if YOU knew what 1 Billion people worldwide needed?
1) We particularly LOVED the fact that the primary Ingredient was the #1 SuperFood in the World, the ACAI BERRY from the Amazon Rainforest.  

2) MonaVie holds the PATENT called the "Opti-Acai Process" that allows them to LOCK in 100% of the nutritional value of the Acai Antioxidants thru a patented freeze drying process.  Other companies spray or air dry their Acai only capturing 2/3 of the nutritional value.  

3)  MonaVie is the largest purchaser of Acai from Brazil - thus allowing us to get the PREMIUM fruit. Acai is the #2 Export from Brazil next to wood.

4)  We were completely impressed with the Five Star Opportunity of MonaVie!  The Right Product, The Right Timing, The Right Management Team, The RIGHT Compensation Plan and The Right Cause - The MORE Project which stands for "MonaVie Operation Rescue" which was founded to hep disadvantaged children overcome their circumstances and become self-sufficient through education and training.   


30daysof: How can they contact you or learn more about the company?
JSS: Please contact us so we can share this AMAZING product and opportunity with you!  We welcome your phone call or email and promise you will be impressed with our commitment to providing outstanding service, Leadership and support to our team of consumers and Business Builders!  
Get in touch with me so I can share the Opportunity with you either over the phone or in person!  You can check out my website at www.mymonavie/jeanschulte

Steve & Jean Schulte
Corona, California
(951) 898-9317 home / (951) 642-3396 cell
email:  TheAcaiAdvantage@prodigy.net
website:  www.mymonavie/jeanschulte



Thursday, April 23, 2009

Turn a hobby you love doing, into a business you can do!

I interviewed over 30 different business owners to learn more about how to make $ doing what they love.  As I await all the interviews, here are links to some businesses many people are supplementing their income with.  


Other businesses I interviewed included the creators of products, a wedding coordinator, a money making blogger, a capital marketing start up group, a photographer, and a florist.  These interviews will be posted as I receive them.  

NOTE: It is not my intent to promote any business or person through April topic...making $ your way. These links go directly to the website and do not include a distributor link.  The interviews are meant to inspire and to inform people of the various opportunities to help supplement an individuals income. The interviews will provide a distributor's contact information in which you can contact them to learn more. As with any goal you want to achieve, ultimately it is up to the hard work and passion of the individual person.  

Tatata!


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Make $ texting!

Get paid to text?  Now you can with ChattoText.  If you are on a social networking site and have a cell phone, there is no reason why you shouldn't be utilizing this new tool.  

30daysof:  Why did you get started in this business?

Chattotext User1:  At first it was the products features that interested me as I didn't realize it could be a business.  I learned about it when it was launched through Facebook as an application.  The product, Chattotext displays on my profile page and if anybody needed to contact me by phone they could text me right from their computer!  In addition, I could text right back to their computer...from my phone.

30daysof: Is there a start up cost? 
Chattotext User1: Yes, there is usually a cost for most conveniences in our lives.  To utilize ChattoText it is $5.99 a month.  I watched the video and learned that I could also make money with the product.  I purchased it and invited a couple of friends to watch the video.  Those friends who signed up to use the chattotext service ended up making me money.  For every person you sign up to use chattotext, you get $2 back.  So technically, I did not pay for the first two months becuase I had signed up 6 people.  If you sign up 3 people every month, the service is free.  If you sign up more, then you make money.

30daysof: How do you stay motivated? 
Chattotext User1: Money and a great product that I believe in motivates me.  I do not like hidden agendas, long-term commitments, or poor communication.  Chattotext did have some problems in the beginning due to its newness, however the developers handled all the fixes professionally.  I was impressed with their follow through and determination to resolve any problems. In fact, they just hosted a webinar to discuss and share all the new changes.

30daysof: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer?
Chattotext User1:  The website Chattotext it so easy to use.  They have codes you can cut and paste and put on your blog, your website, or any of the social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.


30daysof: 
What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?
Chattotext User1: When Chattotext was new as an application through Facebook it got pulled due to a violation of terms.  One month later all issues with Facebook and Chattotext are resolved and the product works great.  If you want to solicit the product as a business however you can not talk about it or mention it in any social networking status updates.  For instance you can't say in your status on Facebook: JANEDOE Want to make money texting? click on this link, http://cahttotexkj.com.

You can only have the box on your profile page and tell your contacts about it through emails, websites, or blogs.


30daysof: How do you get paid? 

Chattotext User2: Every month you get money put into your paypal account or bank account. Whichever you sign up for.

30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)?
Chattotext User2: You start to create a downline for yourself.  The more people you have signed up under you, the more your money grows.


30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours?
Chattotext User2: I haven't found any other product that texts my phone from a computer and vice versa.  I believe this tool of communication will become even more popular in the next two years.


30daysof: How can someone contact you to learn more or purchase your product?
Chattotext User3: After interviewing and trying out this product, I myself love it.  I am using it for my blog to get feedback on new topics to post.  If you want to sign up to use Chattotext as well, please do so by clicking on this link. http://www.chattotext.com/amember/go.php?r=795&i=l0


Here's hoping that you make money texting away with your friends and family.

Make $ with your simple idea!

Have you ever had an idea and thought, wow I should do this? It could really help make a difference.  I interviewed Heather Sievers, creator of the TIME OUT SPOT.  Time Out Spots are a discipline technique designed to help discipline children ages 18 months and up. Heather took a simple idea and created a business with it. Throughout her business cycle, this one idea has led to a product line consisting of Time Out T-shirts for mom and dad, baby onesies, wrist bands and even a Time Out Spot for your pet.


30daysof:  Why did you get started in this business?

HS: I was inspired by my three year old son. I started his time outs on a little wooden stool, which immediately became a problem. The stool would get flipped over and scooted around. It even started to damage the wood floors. The last straw was when he picked it up, held it to his bottom, and walked around saying, "I'm still in time out, my bootie is on the stool.” Time Out had turned into a game. So, it hit me. The family needed a new time out spot! Deciding that a rug would be great for this, I designed the Time Out Spot and went on a mission to have it manufactured.

30daysof: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars?
HS: I started Time Out Spots with a $5000 loan.

30daysof: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who inspire, etc...
HS: My motivation comes from customer feedback, press, and knowing that I can do my job during my own hours (even if they are 8 pm-midnight) so that I can take care of my boys.

30daysof: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer?
HS: Definately the Time Out Spot, although our Mommy and Daddy "Needs A Time Out" tees are very popular.

30daysof:
What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?
HS: Deciding who to advertise with, which blogs to send samples to, you never know.  Advertising is so expensive and very hit or miss.  Almost all of my major publicity has been free due to it getting into the hands of the "right" people.  See the press Time Out Spots have received.


30daysof: How do you get paid? 
HS: Huh?  Paid?  All money goes right back into the company.  

30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)?
HS: Always, but I personally am not ready for growth.  I like that I can still be mostly in charge of overseeing everything and would really need an investor to "go big."

30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours?
HS: There are a few small companies that sell similar products (under 5), but none are really the same.  So competition is not really an issue.

30daysof: How can someone contact you to learn more or purchase your product?
HS: They can visit the website at www.timeoutspots.com or email me at heather at timeoutspots.com.  Time Out Spots are available for purchase in a store near you.


Heather is also the author of the popular blog, swankymoms.com and the creator of NurseryRhyme Tease. When Heather has an idea she goes for it and makes it happen.  You can too!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Make $ beautifying skin


For over fifty years JAFRA Cosmetics has been transforming women’s lives with innovative, quality skin care products and exceptional career opportunities. JAFRA is a party plan company with a multilevel compensation plan.
Over 500,000 consultants worldwide sell Jafra products catering to women, men, children and babies. I interviewed Noma Roche (NR) to learn more about the business. 


30daysof: What is the name of your business? 
NR: JAFRA

30daysof: Why did you get started in this business? 
NR: To make extra money

30daysof: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars? 
NR: It varies, Can be as low as $30, You can fill out an application on line, select your consultant case, place an order, send a payment, sign up friends and relatives, others who need to earn money, start your own lineage, they usually have a trip each year that you have to qualify for by selling the product and signing up new consultants.

30daysof: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who inspire, etc... 
NR: online videos, weekly conference calls with guest speakers telling how they sell and how to increase sales.

30daysof: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer? 

30daysof: What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business? 
NR: Not a problem, you just talk to everyone you meet about your products.

30daysof: How do you get paid? 
NR: As a consultant, you get 50% off every order you place at $300 dollars or more a month. As a Manager and above your paid a commission of your teams sales and also your own sales, the higher you go the more the commission is.

30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)? 
NR: Plenty, it depends on how much effort you want to put into building your business.

30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours? 
NR: Mary Kay, Avon... It's easy why I chose Jafra, nobody else has Royal Jelly Moisture Lotion.

30daysof: How can someone learn more about the product?
NR: They can review the product line online at Jafra.com and contact me by email.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Make $ the clean way!



 
In our everyday lives, we are exposed to elements that we can't avoid. They are harmful to ourselves and the environment.  Shaklee is a company that offers solutions that are safe for you,
your home, and your planet.  I interviewed Jennifer Poston (JP) with Shaklee to learn more about the business opportunity.

30daysof: What is the name of your business?
JP: Poston Partners in Health (Shaklee)

30daysof: Why did you get started in this business?

JP: The timing was right for us, along with an incredible first impression of the company and products.  My husband had just lost his teaching job and we were floundering as to what to do for money.  Also, the more we looked into the company, the more impressed we were by it's history, the science behind the products, their priorities about caring for the environment and people's health, and their ethics.  We knew it was something we wanted to share with other people, and we loved that we could make money doing it!
 
30daysof: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars?
JP: There are 3 ways to start, ranging from $19.95 to $299.  The higher the level you choose to start, the more opportunities there are to make significant amounts of money.  The great thing about the highest level ($299) is that what you are paying for is mostly products that you get to keep yourself, to begin familiarizing yourself with the products.  The concept is that it's hard to sell something you don't use and believe in yourself!  
 
There are always MANY opportunities for earning incentives.  There are trips that you can qualify for through doing different business activities and earning points for the trip through them.  The company likes to see their distributors succeed, and it shows!  You move up in "ranks" in the company simply by growing your business--through your customer base and the people you train to build a business "under" you.
 
30daysof: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who inspire, etc...
JP: Staying connected is crucial in this type of business.  It is easy slack off when no one is looking over your shoulder.  In Shaklee there are so many ways to stay connected!  I have an incredible mentor who has become a good friend, and she calls and checks in on me frequently.  She holds meetings at her house and over the phone with her business builders so we can support each other and continue to learn.  There are online meetings as well as conference calls.  I also have a variety of books that have been recommended to me by those who mentor me, that I can refer to when I need a mental boost.

30daysof: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer?
JP: I personally love all of our products, but there are two lines that are especially necessary in our family, and that are very popular with my customers.  One is our green cleaning line, which many people are interested in because of the surge in eco-awareness.  The other is our weight-loss/management line called Cinch, which is different than many other weight-loss products out there because of the emphasis on losing weight WHILE keeping you lean muscle.  Shaklee even has a "Biggest Loser" competition going right now for those using the Cinch products, and the prizes are big money!

30daysof: What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?
JP: The cost.  Because our products are the highest quality, they are not your Walmart prices!  It is sometimes hard to show people that you get what you pay for, especially with things like vitamins.  People don't realize they are not all created equal, and that some can even be harmful!

30daysof: How do you get paid? 
JP: Shaklee has 5 ways total that they pay people.  It is easiest to explain it using visuals that I have online, so if people want details I show them those.  The great thing, though, is that I don't have to keep track of ANY of it myself.  Shaklee keeps track of it for me, and I just get my check every month with my statement.  It is a very easy business to maintain money-wise!

30daysof: Is there room for advancement (growth)?
JP: Definitely, that is part of what drew my husband and I to it!  There is no "glass ceiling".  You can give yourself a raise anytime you want, as long as you are willing to put in the work to do it!
 
30daysof: Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours?
JP: Melaleuca is one of them.  I haven't personally looked too much into it...I just know how over-the-top impressed I am by Shaklee and their products! 

30daysof: How can someone contact you to learn more about the product?
JP: They can visit my website at http://shaklee.net/kjposton

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Make $ painting hands and feet!

You can make money doing whatever you love,  even if you paint fingers and toes!  I interviewed artist, Lollie Kienz of Fullerton who paints hands and foot prints of your children and turns them into art.  

Piggies and Paws is a home party business which focuses on the creative preservation of children’s growth. Our main service is to provide a fun and creative way to preserve children’s hand and foot prints. Unlike casting and plaster impressions, which are typically done only in a child’s first year, our hand and foot art can be done throughout a child’s lifetime, actually documenting their growth.



30 days of: What is the name of your business?

Lollie Kientz: Piggies and Paws.  I create custom, frameable artwork out of the hand and footprints of children.  

30 days of: Why did you get started in this business?
Lollie Kientz: I am a person that truly loves creative projects and my number one priority is being a mom.  When I was pregnant with my second, I wanted something to keep me busy, bring in some extra cash, and ultimately let me stay home with my girls.  Piggies and Paws popped into my head one morning and I started the process of interviewing.  It was an absolute perfect fit.

30 days of: Is there a start up cost? Describe the start up cost and what you need to do to qualify for promotion or revenues, trips, cars?
Lollie Kientz: There is a start up cost that you learn more about in the process of interviewing.  You make your money back quickly.  There is no promotions or cars or incentives like that but there is also no big sales push.  I am not a big sales person at all so I really like how the company is structured like that.  

30 days of: How do you stay motivated? Books, quotes, people who inspire, etc...
Lollie Kientz: I actually stay motivated by working on creative projects in between work.  Sometimes it can get monotonous so I just pull some other project out that I am working on for my girls or the house that I am really excited about and work on that.  

30 days of: What is your favorite product or the best selling product (service) you offer?
Lollie Kientz: My best selling product is the only product I offer and that is the artwork itself.  There are hundreds of prints to choose from and all of them are unique and adorable.  Priceless!

30 days of: What is your biggest challenge in marketing your business?
Lollie Kientz: I actually have never marketed my business. Word of mouth is how I get my referrals.

30 days of: How do you get paid? 
Lollie Kientz: I send everything into the company and they cut me a check.

30 days of: Is there room for advancement (growth)?
Lollie Kientz: Within your own business and booking galleries, yes.

30 days of:  Who is your competition? Other companies that sell the same products or services? Why did you choose yours?
Lollie Kientz: I am not aware of any other product or company like this one.  

30 days of:
How can someone contact you or learn more about the company?
Lollie Kientz: You can learn more about the company through the website at piggiesandpaws.com.  I am the artist in Fullerton, Lollie Kientz, so you can contact me through the website too. Simply enter your zip code to find a piggies and paws artist in your area.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

30 days of...Making Money Your Way


My idea of the ultimate life is to make money doing what you love.  For the month of April, the 30 days of...blog is featuring home businesses to help inspire you to make money YOUR way.  

The remedy for creating a successful business person is not available by prescription...if it were pharmacuetical companies would be even wealthier.  I have found that the people whom I deem the most successful have passion for what they sell, they do it with integrity, and they are persistent and tenacious.  

I interviewed 30 different home businesses owners and asked them the same questions about their product or service.  The businesses range from services such as prepaid legal services to products lines such as drinks, vitamins, candles or jewelry. I was shocked to learn all the various products out there.  May you be inspired by one of these businesses and start making money YOUR way!

Tatata!






Wednesday, March 11, 2009

30 days of...Party Themes- St. Patricks Day

Have a little Irish in you, do you? This St. Patricks Day Party theme features three activities, delicious food ideas, music, invitation ideas and decor for yourself, your guests, and your cupcakes.

stpatricksblog stpatricksblog beobimonkey

Thursday, March 5, 2009

30 days of...Party Themes

It's time to Partay!  I just posted 30 days of...Party Themes for you to choose from.  The list is comprised of themes for kids as well as adults.  My favorites are:  Scavenger Hunt Party, Fear Factor or the Regifting Party.  Here is a list of all 30 to inspire your next gathering with friends and family.