Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Unexpected...

You may know that I am speaking with my License to Dream co-authors at the Women's Conference in Phoenix on Saturday.  I am really excited about this great opportunity to introduce our first Master Class, as well as to spread the word about SendOutCards throughout the day.  However, I have been most excited about getting to see my family and friends after almost a year of being here in Texas. 

We were planning to drive out and spend the week...maybe even stay until Mother's Day.  But, of course, the unexpected happened, and Ryan can't leave as scheduled.  He's staying here in Texas to finish a project.  So, rather than cancel the trip altogether, I am driving out to AZ on my own with the kids.   I'm a little apprehensive about this adventure, but I think that, like all things that are unexpected and take a little bit of courage, it will make me stronger and braver.  I like that.

So, I want to encourage you--whatever is happening in your life that is unexpected--whether it's scary or hard or fun or whatever--choose to seek the good that can come out of moving through that unexpected circumstance.  :-)

Karen

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Lifestyle Marketing

One of the reasons that I love SendOutCards, and network marketing in general, so much is that it supports my values.  But, as a mom, sometimes it's hard to stay focused on 'income producing activities' when my kids need me.  Or, let's face it, when my house needs cleaned.  I admit, I'm one of those people who can't focus unless my house is in order--literally!

So, I've found that I LOVE lifestyle marketing.  That just means that everywhere I go, I'm listening with what a friend of mine, and author of Secrets of the SOC Drawer, calls "SendOutCards ears."  I'm listening for needs wherever I go--and trying to meet those needs.

For example, the other day, I walked into Handy Andy late in the evening to hear the two gals talking about how the paycheck just doesn't stretch far enough.  When I went through the check out, I said, "It sounds like you could use some extra money!"  When she affirmed that, I gave her one of the tools I always carry with me.

Today, I was in Target.  The gal who checked me out smilingly offered to trade me places when I said I wouldn't mind staying a little longer--she would go home and get my kids and I could stay at Target and do her job.  I said, "I am so glad that I can work from home."  With a wistful look in her eye, she said, "well, not everyone can do that."  How excited I was to inform her that YES YOU CAN!!!  I left her a copy of my book with my phone number.  I truly hope she calls me!

Opportunities are everywhere, and you don't have to spend a lot of time finding them.  Just be listening for the need, have the tools available, and be willing to respond.  You never know what might happen!

Karen

Thursday, April 7, 2011

What's on Your NOT To Do List?

I thought I would share my post from License2dream over here on worryfreemom today.  :-)

In the last few weeks, I have been very blessed to be a part of a Mompreneur Mastermind--a group of women who are all moms and all entrepreneurs.  Our topic for this week was the NOT to do list.

Do the activities you choose to engage in on a daily basis support your core values?  Do you even know what your core values are? The answer to the first question should help you determine which of your current activities need to be relegated to the NOT to do list.

For example...as a mom, my first priorities are my faith and my family.  Second is my business--creating financial freedom.  So, when I think about what activities are on my booked calendar, I really have to think about whether or not those activities are  contributing to my core values--faith, family, and financial freedom.

One of the first things that I was thinking about this morning is my teaching.  Do I like teaching?  Yes.  Am I good at teaching?  Yes.  Is teaching contributing to my faith?  No.  Is teaching contributing to my family?  No.  Is teaching  contributing to financial freedom?  Well, yes and no.  It is taking time away from growing my business, but it is helping to provide a measure of financial security and the ability to quickly pay down debt.  For now, I decided, teaching remains on my to do list--but as each semester passes, my goal is to create enough income through my business to eliminate at least one course.

I encourage you to think through the things that are on your To Do list.  Do they contribute to your core values?  If not, cross them off!  Spend your time doing the things that matter.

God bless!
Karen

Friday, April 1, 2011

PepsiCo and Senomyx

The response I received from PepsiCo...either they need to do a little more research on the companies they are partnering with, or they need to work on their honesty with consumers.

Karen


Sent: Fri, April 1, 2011 1:00:26 PM
Subject: A Message from PepsiCo Consumer Relations 012652145B



Dear Karen,

Thank you for contacting us to share your sincere concerns. Please know that we take very seriously the issues you raised. PepsiCo has a strong set of defined values we strive to live up to.

Unfortunately, there is some misinformation being circulated related to research techniques that have been used for decades by universities, hospitals, government agencies, and private companies around the world. These claims are meant to suggest that human fetal tissue is somehow used in our research. That is both inaccurate and something we would never do or even consider.

It also is inaccurate to suggest that tissue or cells somehow are being used as product ingredients. That’s dangerous, unethical and against the law. Every ingredient in every one of our products is reviewed and approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

We hope this information is helpful and reassuring. Thank you again for reaching out to us and allowing us to clarify the situation.


Stephanie White
Consumer Relations Representative

012652145B

_________________

My response:

Stephanie,

I appreciate your thoughtful response.  I am still concerned, though, because it is clear that PepsiCo is working with Senomyx.  As stated in this article on PepsiCo's website, the PepsiCo relationship includes Senomyx' research on "natural" flavorings that will change the way human taste buds respond to flavors. In the patents for this research, filed in 2008, it is stated that HEK293 is used.  From this information, it is clear that they are using human fetal tissue from aborted babies to do their product development.  This is not a "claim," but a proven fact.  While some may question whether or not it really matters...the exploitation of a dead human child for researching food flavorings is never appropriate or ethical.  I hope that PepsiCo will reconsider its relationship with this company.

Thank you,

Karen Palmer, MA 


blog formatting