Jettasetting — The Blog

So you finally decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge! Huzzah!

Whether you triumphantly dropped your resignation letter on to your current boss’s desk or were (finally) downsized by that guy, you are excited about starting the company you’ve always dreamed about.

Skipping down the well-worn path of start-up businesses reality starts to sink in. Perhaps it’s the first out-of-town conference you attend and there is no corporate-funded limo waiting to take you to the hotel.

Or perhaps you received one too many phone calls and job listings from well-meaning family and friends because “sweetie you know the economy is bad — I’m just a bit concerned.” As the night wears on, these messages result in a long night of worry, one too many glasses of wine or scoops of ice cream (pick your poison) and a bout of frustration.

So how do new entrepreneurs cope, stay positive, and resist the urge to run back into the seductive, yet flaky arms of corporate America? Executive coach, founder, and managing director of Stewart Management Group, Dr. Mary Stewart-Pellegrini, strongly advises budding business owners to have a plan, work the plan, and be ready and open for opportunities that may come your way. “Don’t just take anything — but do consider everything,” says Stewart-Pellegrini.

Being no stranger to creating opportunities as a consultant, I realize how challenging, yet rewarding, launching a business can be, so here are some more tips to keep you focused and ready for opportunity:

1. Have a strong financial plan for survival. Panic sets in and bad decisions are made when you are in dire need of money. Pellegrini stresses that you need to understand how much money you need to make given the business you’re in, and that your financial plan should include the cost of doing business and reflect the industry you’re in. For example, if you’re in fashion or marketing/PR, you have to allow for up-to-date clothing in your expenses.

2. Create strategic relationships; get rid of the “expense account/corporate card” mindset. You fund everything, so your money has to go further and be appreciated. Pick two large hotel chains and airline partners and participate in their rewards programs (faithfulness is rewarded with free tickets, stays, and much-needed upgrades). Shopping at a select number of boutiques or with your favorite salespeople at large retailers normally nets VIP customer discounts and pre-sale phone calls so you have first pick of reduced merchandise. Don’t forget to be kind to people. A cheery chat I had with an airline customer service agent resulted in a surprise upgrade to first class, where a fair amount of networking gets done.

3. Build a strong network. “Find successful people who have been business owners in your industry for at least 10 years and get to know them,” says Pellegrini. “These are the people who can look at your business plan and give you good advice.”

4. Treat yourself well. Pellegrini suggests a relaxing morning ritual like prayer, meditation and/or exercise, and taking time out to dress for success, as you never know where opportunity may meet you. This means not wearing ripped up sweat pants and faded T-shirts while shopping at Whole Foods.

5. Develop a circle of positive friends that mutually support and advise each other, celebrate wins and examine losses. Keep naysayers at arm’s length.

6. Get your mind right. “Just because you do not have a big contract yet, don’t begin to doubt your abilities,”advises Pellegrini. “If you were capable in corporate America, you have the ability to do well outside the corporate structure. Don’t factor out who you are in the industry.”

7. Take a break to celebrate your hard work and recharge your batteries. Take a weekend trip, go to the spa, play golf… do what makes you happy (you know this was a “Jetta” tip).

CLICK LINK BELOW for more tips!

 http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/Survival-Skills-for-New-and-Not-So-New-Entrepreneurs-Guest-127727993.html#ixzz1XtA9qEAI

Advertising is everywhere.

From the moment we wake up and turn on the television, check e-mail, commute to work, and make a stop by the 7-Eleven to pick up a sparkling water to enjoy while we thumb through our favorite magazine, we have been  to hundreds of different messages. It’s easy for people to get overwhelmed or desensitized, so how do businesses break through the clutter and get noticed?

As I am new to NBC Chicago, let’s get the introductions out of the way. My name is Jetta Bates-Vasilatos, and it’s my job to be innovative, strategic and successfully engage and inform consumers with the goal of increasing visibility. My experience includes servicing global clients like Coca-Cola, Nokia, and Walmart, smaller clients that are boutique businesses or non-profits, as well as serving as on-air talent for various stations, and covering travel and lifestyle for national and international magazines. My years in various forms of communication have taught me this lesson: people remember experiences. An event featuring active engagement with your brand or  application of your message is what people will respond to. The strategy is to dip your key messages in some fun.

CLICK LINK BELOW for 5 tips on how to stand out from the crowd:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/The-Art-of-Consumer-Engagement-or-How-to-Make-Them-Notice-Guest-126833278.html#ixzz1XsFnXaCx

Tokyo is the land of chic – no doubt about it. From the Harajuku girls to the high end shopping, my fashionista side was getting the fix it had been craving.  But the neon lights and the fast pace, while exhilarating, can be exhausting for those who already have 100 mph lives and need to luxuriate. It was time to hit the countryside.

We decided to go traditional…what is the purpose of visiting a place rich with culture and not taking time out to explore?  Onsenji Yumedono Ryokan, a luxury six room traditional Japanese inn, perfectly fit the bill;  and it was only 3 hours from Tokyo station in the Kawaguchi resort area near Mt. Fuji in Japan. After a lovely relaxing ride we arrived at the station to find our driver waiting for us – and within 10 minutes we were pulling up to beautiful gardens and within them, modeled after the old Japanese castle style, was the inn.  Minutes after our arrival, our shoes came off, the wooden sandals  and kimono went on, and the lounging began.

The staff had hospitality mastered – it was a perfect balance between responsive yet not intrusive.  When we opened the door to our floor-oriented Japanese style accommodations – our beautiful hostess showed us how the room “worked” (as it was not intuitive for us) and wanted to know what time we wanted to take our dinner. After our ryokan room instructional, she glided out the door leaving us to take in our surroundings. Separate toilet and bathing area, mats for sleeping, low table,  private open-air hot spring heated by Mt Fuji – oh wait!

Private hot spring? I could hear the voice Robin Leach of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” echoing through my head as I begin to snap pictures.  My girlfriends would never believe this!  Not stopping to unpack, the hubby and I scooted outside (as it was winter) and hurriedly slid in the water for a perfect mixture of hot and cool.

The experience was relaxing to the third power – but our rumbly tummies did not care about the hot spring – so it was time to dry off and prepare to dine. There was a soft rap on the door, and right on que a multi-course dinner was served to us in the privacy of our room.  Food just kept coming – fish, stew, beef, veggies, and tofu dishes- my palate was in foodie heaven. After dining sumptuously, we grabbed some blueberry wine…and back to the spring we went, understanding that this was an uncommon luxury, and far be it for us to not take full advantage.

Mats on the floor are surprisingly comfortable, we had a restful, peaceful sleep. For those of you who only do hotels – try something a little different – take a micro step out of that “box” because that is where true experiences live…