Don't Trust Long Distance Lover

Sep. 25, 2017

Dear Cathy:

My boyfriend has a job where he has to travel for work. I don't see him as often as I would like and I just feel like he is being unfatihful to me. I would like to walk away from the relationship, but he won't let me. What can I do to reassure myself, that he is not involved with another women? Anonymous, Houston, TX

Dear Anonymous:

It's very important to have total trust in a relationship. If you have trust, but you still feel that your boyfriend might be unfaithful to you, then you should walk away from the relationship because that is not trust.

All relationships, especially if you are living together or married, should have these 4 things -- Love, Communication, Respect, and Trust. 

If he is away for long periods of time and doesn't reach out to you to stay in touch with you by email, phone/skype, or invite you to join him on trips, then there might be a good chance that he is up to no good. 

Relationships takes nurturing and if anyone in the relationship is not willing to do this, then it might be time to go your own way. 

As far as not letting you go, no one can keep you in a relationship, if you are unhappy and especially if you don't trust them. 

The fact that he is not always there, should give you time to walk away and get involved in other things, that will truly bring you the happiness that you deserve.

New Work Sniff Policy

May 29, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I miss wearing my perfume at work. We now have a Sniff Policy at work, where we can’t wear any loud perfumes, soaps or shampoos. Is this policy fair? Work Sniff Policy, Alabama

Dear Work Sniff Policy:

Even though I think jobs and the government have gone too far these days, I do agree with many of these policies. Have you ever went to a movie that was packed and the last seat that you were trying to save because you did not want others sitting all around you, but you had to give it up to someone with loud perfume on?

Whether you know it or not these jobs is doing you a great service by helping you stay away from toxic perfumes and other smells, which does nothing but render your liver dysfunctional.

Most people's livers today, because of GMOs, are only operating at 30%. The liver is in charge of energy, obesity and emotions. So if you want to lose weight or have tons of energy, you need to cut down on the smells that you come in contact with or in other words you need to GO NATURAL - from head to toe.

The liver is the organ that has to clean up what you eat, touch and smell, and it can’t do that when you wear loud perfume and other smells from your soaps and shampoos. Many people don’t even like going out today, especially to clubs, not just because of the smoke, but also loud perfume.

Look at it like this, the more natural you are, the more energy and the healthier you will be, so your job is actually doing you a favor, whether you realize this or not.

Amazon.com E-book Dilemma

May 24, 2017

Dear Cathy:

Amazon.com told me that I needed to include a Table of Contents link for my line of erotica books on Amazon.com, but I am not familiar with this process. Where can I find out how to do this? Book on Amazon.com, Phoenix

Dear Book on Amazon.com:

Amazon.com has certain guidelines and like every book publishing company, when you write an e-book or paperback, they need to be followed. Amazon is the largest book publishing company in the U.S. and most authors know to put their books there so every book in America is on Amazon.com.

There should be instructions at https://kdp.amazon.com 
on how to place the Table of Contents (TOC) in your e-book for Amazon.com. But they also have services that can help you with this so just pay extra for their services if you can’t figure this out.

You can also read Chapter 5 of my writing book “How To Write A Book: The Complete Guide To Writing and Publishing Your Own Paperback and E-book," which is available as an e-book, paperback and audiobook. This section of my writing book will walk any author through the complete process of placing an e-book on Amazon.com. Remember if you don't have a lot of money when you write a book, just publish an e-book first.

How Do I Get Started With Starting A Business?

May 22, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am in my early 20s. I really want to start my own business, but don’t know if I have what it takes. How do I get started? Future Business Owner, Florida

Dear Future Business Owner:

You might not have what it takes at this particular time to start a business, but it certainly doesn’t make sense not to find out if you do. You could very well have everything that you need, including a business mindset, within the next 6 months to a year down the line. 

First of all you need to understand that it will take dedication and commitment. Starting a business is like starting a project. It can be a short project or a long project, but once you are all set up in business, it will be a rewarding experience.

My first advice to you is to get around others who have businesses and watch how they operate their business. Do this before you even figure out what type of business to start because being around business owners will help you realize, what type of business you need to start.

You only want to start a business that you are truly passionate about. If you are not passionate about the business you start then chances are you will not want to do it. So go all the way back to school and start thinking about some of the things you have really been passionate about over the years. They might be hobbies or some topics that you seriously thought about majoring in. 

Your passion will lead you to your purpose so once you figure out your passion, everything else will fall into place. Then decide if you can set up a business on your own or if you need to work with coaches, consultants and other mentors that can guide you along the way, especially keep you from making too many mistakes. 

So form business alliances, strategic partnership and co-ops with others in business groups, who should offer some type of mentoring program for new entrepreneurs. Or start your own research yourself by going to libraries or buy business books online. 

I have two business books “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-HelpGuide to Starting Your Own Business (Series 2)” and “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Step Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs.” If you already know what type of business to set up then you only need to read the first book that list every step you need to take to be build and grow a successful business. Both books are available as e-books and paperback books. 

Fired From Job So What’s My Next Steps

May 11, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am a black male and I was fired from my job. I was fired from my job at a tire company in my city. I was texted by my manager and told this through a text and told to bring in my uniforms.

I did as asked and brought in my uniforms and 20 minutes after I left the job site, I was called private by a police officer and asked if I stated that I was going to shoot up the building. 

I’m a felon and the reason I was told I was fired is because I left without telling management when I’ve been told before that as long as we let someone know, i.e. the head technician or another employee, when we were leaving or going on break, it would be okay. I did so and this is the conclusion. I’m really pissed off this happened to me. What can I do? Fired, Georgia

Dear Fired:

First of all sorry about your dilemma. At this time you want to sit back and take a deep breath simply because when black men are fired from jobs, even when they are not felons, one of the tactics used in most workplaces is to have them arrested by telling the police that they are violent, even when they are not. 

Therefore, you need to really watch your next move. First of all, go to your local Department of Labor (www.DOL.gov) as soon as possible and file for unemployment benefits. If approved this will take at least 30 days so it’s important not to wait around to do this. Make sure you state your reason for being fired as "Wrongful Termination" and let them know you plan on filing a lawsuit and claim with EEOC.gov. This statement need to be on your paperwork at the unemployment office. 

Many states will pay you around $300 dollars for 20 to 26 weeks. However, the laws has changed in many places today and I am not up to date on the latest changes. It seems like they had it in for you and probably want to hire one of their relatives or friends to take your place so they had to get rid of you. Was it right - no? Was it legal - no. 

I don’t know any other circumstances about your job or how long you were there, but jobs especially in your state is definitely not on the side of employees. I think Georgia is a “Right To Work” state, which means employers have a right to fire you at will or any time, but that doesn’t mean you should not fight back. That’s up to you. 

You can contact the www.EEOC.gov office and lodge a complaint, which you should, while you seek out other employment, or get a lawyer or find a law student at a law library to help you with filing a complaint. However, since you left the job under those types of circumstances, I am sure you don’t want to go back to that job, but you could ask to go to another location, if they have one.

Go on google.com and put in the name of the company and then put in the words – racism, discrimination, black employees, and if you can prove that this company, purposely discriminates against black people, then this will help any type of potential lawsuit you might have down the line. If you can find other black employees that they have fired, at least 3 or 4, then you can file a class action lawsuit.

Most jobs are suppose to give you verbal or written warnings before termination, but again Georgia is a "Right To Work" state. They can actually fire you because they don’t like the way you look and this happens all the time. Is it legal – no, but they do it all the time.

It’s unfortunate but getting fired by text might even be legal in many workplaces today unless it violates existing company policy or a pre-existing employment contract.

Since you have been fired, now is the time to seriously look at your financial situation. You might need to move in with a friend or relative, until you gain gain other employment or start a business.

On the other hand getting fired can be a blessing in disguise, it's a chance for you to draw your benefits while you seek out potential business opportunities. Use your own skills, talents and passions to start a business. Starting a business is not rocket science and today many people are starting businesses around growing foods so check out these opportunities, but whatever you do it needs to be your passion.

I have two business books available as e-books and paperbacks at www.AngelsPress.com, "The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adults" and "How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business (Series 2)."

If you would like to stay in the workplace in the future then you need to learn your rights in the workplace by reading my 3 workplace books “The Workplace Survival Guide: How To Fight Discrimination, Whistleblowing and the Workers’ Compensation System” and “Discrimination 101: The Complete Guide To Recognizing and Surviving Discrimination in the Workplace (Volume 1) and (Volume 2)." These 3 books are available as e-books only at www.AngelsPress.com.

Why Do Couples Struggle With Their Finances?

May 8, 2017

Dear Cathy:

Help me understand why this doesn't work. If two independent people get together and combine their income. Shouldn't they be able to take care of their bills and have plenty left over to spend? If so, then why do I see or hear about so many couples struggling. If that's the case. I can keep doing good by myself. And should I ask a potential mate for her credit report? Doing good, Texas

Dear Doing Good:

There are so many reasons couples struggles with their finances. I will give you 3 scenarios to answer your question.

Scenario 1: Someone is probably holding back funds (women) or they both want to control the money...They have to agree to disagree. That's how it works. Some women are afraid men will keep them from buying stuff that will make them feel pretty. This is how many women feel good about themselves today because they have stuff, however, feeling good about yourself starts with the foods you eat, especially eating good, clean, organic brain foods. It's not rocket science but many couples need to get on the same page.

Scenario 2: Many women are still old fashioned and still think that men should pay most of the bills. But today many women make more than men, so they will have to agree to disagree and get those bills paid. It’s a new world and many couples have to adapt to change, which will be hard for many because of their old-fashioned values. 

Scenario 3: Couples should sit down and look at everything if they plan on getting married, especially their finances, which includes credit reports. I look at my credit report every 2 weeks to see if I see good or bad changes. You can bring your credit score from a 500 to 750 in just 90 days. I know I did it and now I teach others in my workshops and consultations how to do it. 

So don’t let the fact that one of you have bad credit be a deterrent not to wed. The person that is better in math, just need to teach the other person how to handle finances, but this is easier said than done, especially if women are better at finances. Men don’t like it when women try to teach them anything.

Husband Blames Wife for Spending Too Much Online

April 19, 2019

Dear Cathy:

Many times I buy jewelry and a few clothes on websites like Groupon, where there is a large discount. However, my husband still thinks I spend too much online. How can I convince him this is how people shop today? Online Shopper, California

Dear Online Shopper:

Everyone purchases most of their belongings online today especially jewelry and other accessories, clothes, shoes, supplements and even food, however, you should make sure your husband view how much you are actually spending online.

No one really want to go out shopping if they can just buy the same exact things online and even at a cheaper prices. Show him the discounts that you are saving at websites like Groupons with the weekly and holiday discounts.

Also compare prices and take him to stores and show him how much these items cost in stores. Once he realizes you are actually saving money by shopping online, it will probably convince him this would be a good idea. However, try not to get carried away shopping online.

Need a Break So Should I Go on Vacation?

April 28, 2017

Dear Cathy:

Have you ever heard the phrase, I work hard for my money. Well my car repair for my air conditioner will be $2000, which will take a couple of months to save. I don’t want to buy another car because it’s runs really good and this is the only time I have had trouble with it.

However, I am debating whether to cancel an upcoming vacation that I have paid for on the beach or just use the funds for my car. I have been riding in my car for 2 years without an air conditioner so is this something that can wait, while I can go head and enjoy myself at the beach by renting a car? What do you think? Need A Break, Virginia

Dear Need a Break:

The fact that you have already been riding around in your car without an air conditioner for 2 years means you should be able to tough it out for a couple of more months.

Yes I would rent a car and still go on a vacation, especially since it is already planned and paid for. Sometimes in life we have to make hard choices, but at the same time you want to also treat yourself because again life is hard enough.

If you have any more trouble with your car, especially if you have a bill that high in the future, it might be time to get rid of the car, but if you feel comfortable for now just repairing the car and not getting a car note go ahead and enjoy your vacation.

However, if you feel you need to buy a car in the future just go to carmax.com and get a $200 car note for a car that is one or 2 years old. Again, sometimes you have to treat yourself so enjoy your vacation.

I Enjoy Writing and Is Ready to Volunteer

April 26, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am an African American high school student. I like to write and have won several writing awards in my school. I am ready to start volunteering my services in the community. Do you have any suggestions? Writer, North Carolina

Dear Writer:
If you are a natural born writer and like to write, then there are tons of opportunities out there for you. First of all check with all the local newspapers, especially black mom and pop newspapers, in your city to see if you can volunteer to work with them.

Not just to write but to actively go on assignments with investigative reporters and others that you can learn from. This will be a chance for you to see all the ends and outs of how local newspapers work, in case this is an avenue you might want to pursue later on in life. You can also volunteer to deliver papers and help market the newspapers to other businesses and homes.

There are many other opportunities for students and others who like to write and volunteer. Volunteering at senior centers gives you a unique opportunity also. Many of the seniors you’d encounter today have been through the Great Depression, know what the world was like before texting and have experienced far more than we could ever imagine.

Sit down and talk to them. They’ll love it and you’ll leave with more knowledge than any history class could ever teach. You can also work with local writers, authors and publishers, and even use these seniors' stories to help them write books about their lives. The opportunities for writers today is endless, especially since they have taken cursive out of most schools and many students today aren't good at writing.

How Can I Put Myself Around Potential Mates?

April 25, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am an African American female in early 30s. I live in a rural area in Arizona. I have a good job so I don't want to transfer to another area. In my area black men don’t date black women. They date only women of other races. What should I do to try to start a relationship with a black man? Relationship, Arizona

Dear Relationship:

Like everything else a good relationship won’t come easy, which means you have to work for it. You might need to broaden your horizons. So if the men in your area isn’t interested in dating black women, then make yourself available in other areas.

Start carpools or use megabuses to travel with others to other areas and cities to put yourself around other available men, especially cities and states bordering your city and state.

You can also travel and attend meetup.com groups, conferences and other events in other areas. If you’re traveling, try to interact more with locals or try traveling solo and give yourself a chance to delve into the local culture.

I doubt if there is a single day without some type of festival going on. Make your plans around well-known festivals or yearly events. Whether it’s food, music, history, art or something else entirely, find area festivals and go to them. The idea is to simply expose yourself to something new.

Also join online dating sites and apps and make yourself available to others. Dating today is different but if you truly want to find Mr. Right, he is out there but he is not just going to knock on your door.

You can also ask family and friends to fix you up on potential blind dates. Stepping out of your comfort zone is part of what it means to be well-rounded. Let your friends help you. Ask if you can try out some of their interests with them. You get to do it with your friends while experiencing something new.

Grab your friends and plan a restaurant tour. Skip all your usual haunts and try something new at least once a week. If possible, take a week’s vacation and plan to eat somewhere new every day. The new flavors will make you appreciate a wide variety of cuisines from all over the world and will help you meet others.

Also take a museum road trip and visit museums or historic landmarks. Odds are, you have quite a few of both within just a few hours of your home. Meanwhile live your life and do the things that you truly care about and love to do and have fun making yourself available.

Do I Need A Facebook Account or Website for My Gun Club Business?

April 22, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am an African American male. I have a facebook.com personal page and a facebook page for my business, which is a gun club, but most people tell me I also need a website so what do you think? Website, Virginia

Dear Website:

If you have only a facebook.com page for your business, then expect to only attract clients and customers who visits facebook.com. However, with a website, you would have the option of attracting many other customers.

Many people don’t like facebook.com so they are not willing to go there to find your business, so you need to decide what type of clients you need to attract.

There are potentially millions of potential customers and clients out there, so you need to figure out your target market or target audience. First of all decide who your clients will be. Are they black, white, young, old, on the internet or in your community.

If you are trying to attract older African Americans or Baby Boomers, then chances are many won’t be on facebook.com or online, so it will be important to have your own website.

You should be fine giving online events and webinars, if you are attracting a younger crowd because most Millennials and Generation X’s are online and probably on facebook.com. However, if you ever plan on giving community seminars, workshops and training sessions, then you definitely need a website.

The bottomline is with a gun club, you probably need both a facebook.com page or group and a website because many families in these days and time, will probably be interested in your business, but again you need to look at your target market or target audience that you will be serving with your gun club and see where they are located -- online or in the community.

How Do I Set Up A Flyer Distribution Business?

April 21, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I wanted to start a Flyer Distribution Business so can you explain more about this type of business. Flyer Distribution, Omaha

Dear Flyer Distribution:

Most business owners number one issue is obtaining new clients and customers, which they can obtain through marketing, however, most business owners don’t have any idea on how to market their businesses, even though they should be marketing their businesses at least 75% of their time.

So therefore, a Flyer Distribution Business is a good option for adult business owners and especially youth entrepreneurs. You can make the flyer up yourself by using Microsoft Publisher or some other flyer making program or just use the flyer that your customers have already published and distribute those flyers.

You can charge anywhere from .10 to .14 cents for each flyer that you deliver. You can also come up with another set price. It could depend on how far out you travel (5, 10, 15 miles) to distribute the flyers. They can choose a certain area or subdivision for you to cover. They might want you to deliver the flyers only to businesses or homes and businesses.

You can place the flyers on mailboxes with tacks on the wood part or tape on the tin part, unless your city have an ordinance stating that nothing can be placed on mailboxes. Then you would have to figure out how to get the flyer to the customers in their homes, either with a door knob advertisement or newspaper style, where you just throw it in people’s yards.

Thinking About Becoming an Etiquette Consultant

Mar. 30, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am thinking about becoming an Etiquette Consultant. So how can I get started? Etiquette Consulting, California

Dear Etiquette Consultant:

If you have good people’s skills and like working with people then being an Etiquette Consultant might be the business for you. Etiquette Consulting is a booming business today, especially because of GMOs. 

Since GMOs have basically shut off most people’s brains today, many people will have to learn or relearn new skills. So from the corporate world to the school classroom, etiquette training programs are in a tremendous demand.

Etiquette consultants have many career options. You could specialize in coaching adults or children on proper etiquette. For example, with your help, you can teach others everything from good eating skills, especially in public to grooming classes on self/body image.

As an etiquette consultant, you can teach people the etiquette skills they need to succeed in business and in life. They will know the right thing to say or do courtesy of you. 

With all the new technology today, your etiquette training could also include how to conduct yourself at all times, especially while out in public on cell phones and computers.

While many individuals hire etiquette consultants, you might also be hired by corporate clients, where clients are paid up to thousands of dollars a day to present training programs (seminars or workshops) on topics related to etiquette.

As an etiquette consultant you might offer coaching or training programs in all areas of etiquette or you could choose to specialize in an area such as business etiquette, dining etiquette, International etiquette, social etiquette, communication etiquette, and children etiquette.

Family Talented With Their Hands

Mar. 27, 2017

Dear Cathy:

My sisters and brothers are all talented, especially with their hands. We make jewelry, art, baskets, furniture and other things with our hands. How can we let others know about our skills and talents? Talented, Pennsylvania

Dear Talented:

If you engage in a hobby or craft that people have told you they would love to learn, then you can cash in on your craft. If you play an instrument, speak another language, make birdhouses for pleasure, create beautiful quilts or afghans, make jewelry, art, work on distress furniture, make baskets, make crocheted, metal or glass items -- then you can be all set.

You can also volunteer to teach your skills at educational night schools. People everywhere are looking for your skills. Sell your service to clients who are willing to pay for your mastery in one subject or another. 

Consider selling them to shops or directly to individuals. Sell them at fairs or sell directly to stores or even to catalog owners. You can also form a meetup.com group that caters to your particular skills then you can hold regular classes and teach your skills and sell your products.

If you have the space to invite 50 or 100 crafts people to set up tables and sell their wares, then you can set up your own crafts co-op. You don’t sell anything but tables or booth space. 

Make sure you have enough bathroom facilities and parking spaces. Make sure your property is zoned to accept the amount of cars this type of sale can attract. There are several books on the market available that can help you learn how to market your arts and crafts.

Why Should I Form My Own Network?

Mar. 26, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am a 30 year old African American female single mother. I keep to myself so many people call me introverted. I live in a very small town. Many people have told me that I need to form my own network, especially on social media. Do you think this is a good idea and how do I get started? Own Network, Birmingham

Dear Own Network:

Today since there are no black talk radio stations in most states, which has the greatest potential to reach more people, it’s important for everyone to form their own networks. 

You need a group of individuals that you can reach out to in the good times and that can help you conduct research on issues relevant to you and them. 

You can do this with a weekly, semi-monthly or monthly e-newsletter at mailchimp.com, which is free. If people like your e-newsletter, they will let you know. It can be about topics that people really like reading about.

Whether you are a business owner or not, you need a group of people that you refer others to also. Ideally you want to list these individuals on your website or somewhere online such as a group on facebook.com, and other social media networks, including starting a group on meetup.com or just joining groups on meetup.com.

These individuals will become your extended family and will also use their networks to help you understand how things work today. No one should live their life like an island and it’s important that people know exactly what’s happening today. 

So therefore, you should also join some of the independent media websites online, so you can learn the truth about what's really happening in the world and figure out your place in it. 

Legs Shaking Uncontrollably

Mar. 24, 2017

Dear Cathy:

My legs won’t quit shaking so I don’t know if this is the last of my days. Doctors said I am fine. Sick in Alabama

Dear Sick:

It's always a good idea to get 2nd and 3rd opinions, so even though your doctors tell you you are okay, then you need to go to other doctors or specialists in your network. Doctors don't know everything and many will tell you something different.

The human body will always give you trouble if you are not eating good, natural, clean organic foods, taking good supplements, drinking good water, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep. If you have other bad habits like drinking alcohol and taking drugs, then it will be even worse.

It’s a lot to think about and the problem is most folks don’t know where and how to get started. The goal is to find holistic and natural communities in your city. They can work with you to obtain access to good foods and holistic healers can work with you on your health.

Remember no matter what is going on with your body, if you are still above ground, then you still have time to figure it out and save your life.

How Can I Turn My Computer Artwork into a Legitimate Business?

Mar. 20, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I make positive computer artwork. So far I make the pieces digital online. My pieces are very inspirational and I was wondering do you have any idea on how I can turn this into a legitimate business? Artwork, Texas

Dear Artwork:

You can continue to do this type of artwork and sell from your computer or put it on some type of canvas or paper and sell in physical locations. If you sell from you computer, you will need a signature on it and probably file some type of copyright. 

You should register your artwork and literary works with the copyright office. Registered works provide more protection and benefits in the court of law, especially if someone uses your work without permission. 

It is NOT REQUIRED to register your work with the Copyright Office because the creator of the work is the official copyright owner, BUT, if you want to sue for damages when someone violates the copyright laws, your work must be registered. 

Check out the copyright office official website for more information and to register your work online or by mail! Google search the words "U.S. Copyright Office" to find the website. 

Copyright applies to all visual arts - drawings, paintings, digital art, photographs, sculptures, etc. According to the copyright laws, the official copyright owner has the exclusive right to do and to authorize the following: 
1. Reproduce or make copies of the artwork 
2. Prepare derivative works based upon the original artwork 
3. Distribute the artwork to the public by sale, rental, lease, lending, or transfer ownership 
4. Display the artwork publicly 

A trademark generally protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. It is not required to register your trademark BUT registered trademarks provides more protection and benefits, such as allowing you to take legal action in court if someone uses your trademark without permission. Check out the "United States Patent And Trademark Office" website for more information!

If you sell your work in a physical location, remember that many people are making art but don’t have a place to hang it. You can set up an art gallery right in your home or another facility, maybe a local business who has a storefront. Be careful setting up any type of business out of your home, especially today.

You can hang the work of local artists and host a party once or twice a month. You can give the artist 60% of the sale price and you keep 40%.

Another idea is your artwork is similar to graphic designing so you can take a course in graphic designing and start making positive logos, flyers and banners that people will buy.

Graphic design is the practice or profession of designing print or electronic forms of visual information, as for an advertisement, publication, or website.

Graphic designers are also called graphic artists and they can also do logos, business cards, flyers, brochures, etc.
To stand out from the rest, you need to offer cheaper prices with good quality. You can obtain clients by joining business groups. Most business owners don’t realize that a professional business card and logo is a great marketing tool.

Many people will recognize your business just by looking at your logo. For more business ideas, read "The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs" available as an e-book and paperback.

Business Owner Moving To New City

Mar. 15, 2017

Dear Cathy:


I have a business and I am moving to another city. This is scary for me so can you tell me some of the things I need to know about? New City, Philadelphia

Dear New City:

Moving to a new city can be a little scary for anyone, especially if you have always stayed in one neighborhood your entire life. However, at the same time it should be exciting. 

Remember if you have an income coming in and a car, you can essentially move anywhere, but you don’t really need a car, just some type of income. With urber.com, fasten.com, and other new ways to get around, getting around is just easier today.

This is a good outline on what to do:

1. Some cities have welcome groups or you can find these groups online such as “Newbee Network” https://www.newbeenetwork.com, which can tell your about your new city.

2. Sometimes meetup.com groups are more proactive than local Chambers of Commerce so check out these groups. Join meetup.com groups in your new city even before moving there, that way you can start talking to people about the city right away.

3. Many cities have extended stay hotels, where you can stay until you figure out what area to move to. There are also furnished apartments so check with local realtors or apartment locators.  

4. Find health and wholefood stores on google.com.

5. Locate local gyms at google.com.

6. Open new business P.O. Box.

7. Obtain new business cards, flyers and other marketing material.

8. Join local business meetup.com or form your own business meetup.com.

9. Collect business cards and email addresses at these meetup.com groups and find out about other networking events.

10. Ask around and retrieve names of local media (talk radio, print news, etc.)

11. Subscribe to any local newspapers.

12. Sit down with publishers and editors and introduce yourself with an updated BIO.

How Do I Set Up My Yearly Conference?

Mar. 14, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am a new business owner dealing with relationship coaching. I would like to start a yearly conference. What do I need to know about yearly conferences and how do I set it up? Conference, Alabama

Dear Conference:

There are two types of conferences that work really well for yearly conferences – a 1 or 3 day conference. You can also have a "bi-annual" or "semi-annual" event (twice a year). If you choose to do this then a 1 day event should suffice.

If this is your first event, I would only start off with a 1 day conference. This way you can see some of the problems you will encounter down the line.

Once you have the first event you should name it “The FIRST ANNUAL…” so participants will know this will be a yearly event. To get even more exposure you can move this event from city to city or keep the event in your own city. 

At the one day event, the event does not have to take place at a hotel, however, all the speaker/trainer events should be held in the same room.

For the one day event the food can be brought in and catered or if you have the event at the hotel provided by the hotel. If you break for lunch and eat at other places, you might lose some of your participants or you can have some type of dinner event at the end of the day.

For a one day event it should be held on a Saturday from 9:00-6:00 p.m. Some people will only come for the morning event and others for the afternoon event or some dedicated followers will stay all day.

To collect funds it should be posted at www.eventbrite.com or on your own website. With a 3 day event, the goal is to get other clients and customers to come in from out of town, so you should hold this event at a hotel. 

Most hotels will work with you by providing a block of low-cost rooms for those who register early so you should encourage everyone to register early. You should also have someone to work with the participants who would like to share a room.

You will need to have all your marketing material and your website set up ahead of time. Anywhere from 3 to 4 months out is when hotels should allow participants to start registering, but you want to start using word of mouth to talk this event up throughout the year.

First of all you need to come up with the speakers and topics that will be presented. For a 1 day event 4 to 5 speakers/trainers should be adequate. 

Remember you will be the host and this will be the time for you to highlight your business - your services and products, which should be displayed everywhere.

For 3 days events you can have several speakers and trainers throughout the day and you can move the workshops to several different rooms and even outside.

You can also have vendors, which can make more money for the event. To alleviate stress, assign someone to deal with vendors specifically. 

All they will have to do is make sure the vendors have 6 feet tables with table cloths if provided by hotels or if it is a one day event, let potential vendors know they will need to bring all the decorations for their tables.

Don't overcharge for vendors. For a 1 day event, you can charge anywhere from $50.00 to $75.00. For a 3 day event, you can charge anywhere from $100.00 to $150.00. Remember because of the noise, the vendor event will need to be away from the Speaker's training events.

For 3 day events, people usually register or sign in at hotels on Friday and you might hold one event that night – a seminar, town hall meeting, speed dating session, etc.

Remember on Saturday starting at 8:00 or 9:00 a.m., you want a full day of events. On Saturday night there is usually some type of dance with entertainers. And the event should end at 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

Many people might leave on Saturday evening or Sunday morning, but many of your faithful followers will stick around for the end of the event.

My Boyfriend Cheats On Me

Feb. 28, 2017

Dear Cathy:

My boyfriend cheats on me. He thinks I don’t know it but several of my friends have seen him in the act. Should I tell him I know what’s happening or continue to ignore it? Boyfriend Cheating, Pennsylvania

Dear Boyfriend Cheating:

Sure you should tell him that you know he is cheating and end your relationship. Some men can’t help the way they treat women, but believe me there are men out there that would be willing to go the extra mile to show you that you are special.

So end your relationship with your current boyfriend and get out there and make yourself available for Mr. Right to come into your life.

Meanwhile, work on your ownself and ask yourself why you were willing to put up with the cheating in the first place. Many women would never have allowed a man to treat them that way in the first place. So seek out the answers from within. Know that you are special and you deserve the best that life has to offer.

Boyfriend Hangs Out At Clubs Too Much

Feb. 27, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I met my boyfriend at the club so we eventually moved in together. After a couple of years, I no longer enjoy the club scene but he still does. My goal is to start a business. What can I do to keep him from wanting to go out to the club 4 or 5 days a week. Club Scene, Oklahoma

Dear Club Scene:

If either person in a relationship is spending 4 or 5 days a week at the club, unless it is business-related, then there is a good chance not too much will be happening in their life.

There are certain businesses that you can start out of a club, but if he is going to the club just to be going to the club, then that might play havoc on any relationship.

You wanting to start a business shows that you want more out of life, so therefore, you will need to decide the best way to proceed forward. Talk to him and tell him how you feel. Sometimes when men are not motivated about life, it could be a lot of things happening.

It could be the food that he is eating or the people that he is hanging out with. If it’s the food, that’s something you can change by opting to buy and prepare healthier foods, but if he is associating himself with other people that also like hanging out at the club, then you might have a hard time getting him to stop his destructive habits.

Try to see a family counselor to discuss the different directions you both are headed in. If he is not opened to doing this, then you might have to investigate other options.

Where Can I Receive A Grant To Publish My Book?

Feb. 26, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I am trying to publish a small pamphlet or booklet, which will be around 50 pages so can I get a grant to pay for publishing my book? Seeking Grant, New York

Dear Seeking Grant:

There are a very limited amount of grants out there and the majority is not for book writing. If you are publishing a small book, pamphlet, or booklet, you can actually get it printed at Federal Express, (formerly known as Kinkos) Office Depot or Staples.

So go into their establishments and ask to see samples of their work. The only thing you need to worry about is the ISBN. I don’t think they will put the ISBN on the pamphlets or booklets but you don’t need these anyway unless you will be selling your books.

If you work as a counselor, therapist or some other field, where these will be parts of package deals, then again you don’t have to worry about the ISBN.

Should I Self-Publish or Submit Book to New York Publishers?

Feb. 24, 2017

Dear Cathy:

I know I have a great book and it’s finished so should I self-publish or submit it to the big New York publishers? New Author, New Jersey

Dear New Author:

You can write a letter or get an agent and submit your book to the New York Publishers, however, the chance of getting your book picked up to be published by New York publishers is very slim. 

Today because of the economy, these companies are publishing books for family members, friends and others that they have a relationship with. So don’t spend the next few years of your life submitting letters to these publishing companies.

Instead go ahead and self-publish or submit your book to other smaller publishing companies as long as they are not print-on-demand companies. If you self-publish and have a good book, the New York Publishers can still pick up your book after you mail them a copy, however, just remember upfront that if these New York publishers pick up your book, because of the contract you sign, it gives them the right to do whatever they want with the book include shelving it in 6 months.

If you really want to write a book and keep it out there for the rest of your life, then your best bet would be “self-publishing.”

You can find out more about writing query letters and submitting books to book publishers or self-publishing by reading "How To Write A Book: The Complete Guide To Writing and Selling Your Own Paperback or E-book" -- available as an e-book or paperback.