2012 -Year in Review - Buying in the Neighborhood, Edition 25

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and Season!!! I’ve contemplated several times the appropriate words to write and to share about the last seven months of this year and it seems that for me the words that ring the strongest and the truest have got to be around relationships, loyalty and support. You may have wondered why there hasn’t been much shared through this blog lately, well, I would need to be honest in stating that because of the efforts invested in not only what I have been doing but in what others have been doing, the last seven months have been filled with development of contacts across the globe in all the areas I love of local business, international business, film, fashion, arts, music and entertainment. It has been quite the ride and I’ve been blessed fully with an enormous amount of activities, events, new friends, new business relationships, and so much more.

 

Before this year ends I just had to share how following your dreams and passions can not only affect yourself but also all the others you have interactions with. I will have to share in an outline listing form many of the interactions I’ve had this last year and I’m starting with June since May was the last time I shared.

June – Vanity on Mill, Musical Instrument Museum, LaVerne Castillo

July – iPic Theatre, Sunchain Tanning, The Mint, AZ Culture, MYLIFE

August – Hotel Valley Ho, Rula Bula, Karla Lambert – Studio Charme, Style Image Studios

September – Montelucia Resort, Barnes & Noble, Clarendon Hotel, Jobot Coffee Shop

October – Talking Stick Resort, Phoenix Fashion Week, Scottsdale Polo Club, FilmBar

November – FilmStock Film Festival, Cien Agaves, The Grapevine, Hard Rock Café,

December – Phoenix Center for the Arts, Marley’s Restaurant & Bar, AMC Westgate 20

I call out local organizations I have interacted with and obtained or enjoyed services from as these interactions are what make the world go round.  Being conscious about where you spend your dollar or your time is critical to making an impact.  Often individuals operate on a low level of awareness and don’t realize how choices they make can significantly impact an individual, business, or organization.  Every day I work to develop that level of awareness about where I spend my hard earned money and how I can help the local economy as well as help the partners across the globe that I do business with.

Many choices are made by referrals and knowing the individuals I choose to do business with.   If you can take a moment to consider how you can make a difference for someone or a business based on you spending money locally, definitely take that time to do so.  There are only a few days left in 2012, so end your year taking a step to help the economy or begin your 2013 with a bang and start it off with a greater awareness about how you can help others and see what a difference that can make in your own life.  Best wishes for a phenomenal new year!!!!

If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyinArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered..... 

Buying in the Neigborhood - Edition Twenty-four (24)

Memorial weekend 2012....I can't express enough the fabulous type of year this has been so far.  This weekend however is about memories of those that have served our country and respect for the service they have given, the lives that have been sacrificed and the loyalty and admiration we should have for the service men and women of our country.  I often encourage living in the moment, however today is about remembering.  I think if you can understand the nature of service for others and to others, then you can truly appreciate Memorial Day.

I have to admit that, I am thankful for the set aside holidays to remind us of certain celebrations and these days that guide us to think about specific topics.  Sometimes it is often too easy to get caught up in day to day living, working, operating.  Taking this time to reflect on my dad's service as well as my brother's has made me appreciate knowing what they have done and gone through.  I also remember all my relatives (e.g. uncles and cousins) and the friends I have that have been in the service.  It takes special people to sacrifice in this way.  They are not often recognized or appreciated as much as they should be.  No matter what you think, they have to be considered what I would call everyday heroes and this is not a term that should be used loosely or lightly in their recognition.  There is really not enough that can be done to show completely the appreciation for their service.  I hope that everyone does take the time to speak out and recognize those you know or have known.  It's the smallest of gestures that can make the largest of differences in one's life.

In thinking about this weekend, the others things that come to mind are the transformation, collaboration, motivations, and inspirations which have been in the air and especially now that we are starting to experience those as part of a movement in so many areas.  I've talked about strategies before and planning, and through the experiences, these still prove to be the most impactful actions one can focus on related to personal, business, and life in general.  Creating a strategy and planning are things that most people look at doing maybe once a year or at most every few years when dealing with business, however, the truth is that this should be a continuous review and refinement process.  Goals are essential and the strategy and planning are supported by them and give a working guide to accomplishing or working through to meet the targets set.

Why is this relevant..., because in order to continuously grow your business and maintain, you have to have targets established and a vision to represent how you are making progress so that if one part of business slows down you can review and compare and adjust to keep business moving forward.  I want to highlight these points as even though this year seems to have an incredible energy, driving forces, and endless opportunities, it is still evident that businesses and individuals are struggling and there are still many challenges out there that people are facing.  I want to take this time to recommend services that are designed to help you progress, obtain ideas, find ways to restart and develop your business, overcome challenges and more.

1. Living The Dream Coaches, Joseph and Laurie Battaglia 
2. Business Leadership Services, Mike Becko 
3. Carte Blanche Consulting & Training, Inc. - Ramona Benjamin
4. Driven Coaching, Kevin Bohm
5. Integral Perspectives, Margot Borden

These are just a few of the businesses that can help to focus on those areas that many businesses are challenged with today.  I've mentioned before, that asking for help and assistance is critical in sometimes making a change, seeing things from a different perspective, and seeing other possibilities.  I firmly believe that through reaching out and asking, you will receive something valuable and you will have the opportunity to really see the difference.  It's easy to carry the burden of challenges and they can be overwhelming.  Having the right support can make all the difference.  This doesn't mean you pass the problem, but you engage with the challenge differently and with support you can be encouraged and directed in such a way instrumental changes can be made and progress can begin again.

If you are interested in being showcased on this blog, please send an e-mail to BuyinArizonaCampaign@gmail.com with the business website, contact information (e.g. business owner name, phone number and email address), so that a follow up contact can be made to talk with you about your business and what is offered.....