Don't be overrun by Creativity Killers...check out the Small Business Summit 2011

Creativity Killers:

"Everything that can be invented has been invented."

— Charles H. Duell, Director of US Patent Office 1899

"Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote."

— Grover Cleveland, 1905

"Who in the heck wants to hear actors talk?"

— Harry M. Warner, Warner Bros Pictures, 1927

"There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom."

— Robert Miliham, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923

"Heavier than air flying machines are impossible."

— Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society, 1895

"Ruth made a big mistake when he gave up pitching."

— Tris Speaker, 1921

"The horse is here today, but the automobile is only a novelty - a fad."

— President of Michigan Savings Bank advising against investing in the Ford Motor Company

"Video won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night."

— Daryl F. Zanuck, 20th Century Fox, commenting on television in 1946

"What use could the company make of an electric toy?"

— Western Union, when it turned down rights to the telephone in 1878

Do you have an awesome idea?

How many times have you been told that it won't work?
It could never be sustainable?
You are not the right person for the job?
It's impossible?
Many people have been victim to this same logic...the ones that stay relevant are the ones that have more faith in heir ideas than the ones that have faith in failure.
The Small Business Summit 2011 is committed to those who want innovation, motivation and creativity to be a part of their business and personal brand. Register at http://smbizsummit.eventbrite.com/

March Sneak Peek

How are you handling your time, space and life management?
Do you ever feel like you could use help with those areas?
Let's face it with all of the responsibilities of life it is easy to let these things slide. Even though we are doing more-we can always ask for help. Sheila Hawkins is the CEO of Third Eye Group, a company that has been helping people get their lives in order since 2000. She will be speaking at our March BWBB. Did you save your spot yet?
You don't want to miss this one! Sheila allows her clients to get help with customized personal and professional organizational services that are tailored to their needs and specifications. She provides services for your home, business and personal needs. Check out her website for additional information and a sneak peek of info www.thirdeyegroup.org.
This month's meeting will take place at The Hampton Inn, Northville from 9:30-11:30 on March 19th. Remember our meetings are open to any and all who want to focus on professional success, growth and development.

Transition and Transforming: Careers in our generation

Many of us remember being told that we need to go to college and find a good job. Discussion over. Today the rules have changed. In many cases we make them up ourselves. Going to college is still a great idea. The experience, relationships and curriculum prepares students for this adventure that we call the real world. The game-changer is the job. Do we work for someone? Invest our talents, ideas and hard work and plan on this being our sole career purpose? Do we take a chance and begin our own venture to see if it can pay the bills? Do we do both? What about life balance? What about our social-life?
These are all great matters to consider and the answer is different for everyone. We have a special treat coming up this Saturday with Tiffani Stokley as our featured presenter. She will be leading a discussion on Career Transition. So please register because you don't want to miss this one. Join us for a productive time of Networking, continental breakfast and promoting your business goals and career needs.
The BWBB is committed to helping you take your idea from thought to thriving. We are equal opportunity and invite anyone with a positive attitude to join us.

Happy Black History Month Quotes by inspiring Black Women-Read something great!

You don’t become what you want; you become what you believe.
Oprah Winfrey

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.
Maya Angelou

Sometimes you’ve got to let everything go—purge yourself . . . If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.
Tina Turner

Don’t settle for average. Bring your best to the moment. Then, whether it fails or succeeds, at least you know you gave all you had. We need to live the best that’s in us.
Angela Bassett

I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.
Nikki Giovanni

I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminshes fear.
Rosa Parks

Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.
Susan L. Taylor

Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is Love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.
Ella Fitzgerald

When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
Audre Lorde

Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.
Wilma Rudolph

Networking for Success prelude Guest blog by Angela Samuels

Networking requires people to confront their fear of talking to other people that carries a risk of rejection and great opportunity.

Many people have a distorted view of marketing. They believe that marketing is only used for the marketers own advancement. This can not be farthest from the truth. They think of profiting from other people's efforts as something that is negative and not fair to them. In reality, successful networkers will tell you that it doesn't work that way at all. Networking doesn't have to be at anybody's expense and the business of network marketing doesn't reward anyone for taking advantage of others. It actually rewards people for helping other people to succeed. In that respect it may very well be the most ethical business model in the world today.

A lot of the negativity around networking can be explained by the different types of networkers. Some can be considered 'hunters', moving in for a quick kill, after which they move out again. They often operate without regard of the other person’s interest and because of this they will enjoy the fruits of success for only a limited period of time. Often it will not take long before people find out what's really driving the hunter. Once they see that he or she is only looking after his or her own interests, their willingness to interact with this person will quickly evaporate. By contrast, truly successful networkers are often 'farmers' who spend a lot of time sowing and nourishing their relationships, instead of just focusing on reaping. They invest in their network, they energize their network. They use their network, but they never ever abuse their network! And their network knows this. A true networker will always keep the interests of others in mind. That's why working with a true networker is so enjoyable. Networkers are often very likeable and as such people like to interact with them.

Networking is a skill that is essential to all businesses not just network marketing. Although network marketing differs in many ways from the more traditional forms of doing business, the importance of networking is just as prevalent. If not more so. Network marketing is first and foremost a people business and this implies that the ability to effectively work with people is absolutely critical. Business owners who have started a network marketing home based business on the side often apply their enhanced networking and people's skills in their traditional business with great success. Eight months ago I started really studying networking and how it can help me to improve my business. I’ve gained so much knowledge and expertise in that time by reading a lot of books on network marketing. My business is continuously growing with my new found knowledge. Currently, I’m reading a book called The Likeability Factor by Tim Sanders it has helped me to build bridges with my network.

So whether you are in network marketing or in a more traditional type of business, don't underestimate the importance of becoming an effective networker. And if you really want to master this skill you may find there is a lot to learn from good network marketers. So if you happen to know anybody that fits that description, try and benefit from their knowledge on the topic. It will surely help you network your way to success!

On January 22, 2011 I’ll be doing a presentation on specifics about being successful in networking at the Black Women in Business Brainstorm meeting. Join us. At the meeting I’ll also have copies of Charlene Proctor’s books “Let Your Goddess Grow!” and The Women's Book of Empowerment. I’m the marketing and communications coordinator for Charlene Proctor, a best selling spiritual author.

Angela Samuels is a distributor for SendOutCards, entrepreneur, creator of CardShopBlog.com and a marketing coordinator for a bestselling spiritual author. She received her bachelor’s degree in business at Eastern Michigan University and later received her masters from Wayne State University instructional technology.