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.