Social Media Strategies for Social Entrepreneurs

Social Media Strategies for Social Entrepreneurs

As a part of Social Media Week 2013 in Washington DC, Punchrock hosted a panel discussion about Social Media Strategies for the Social Entrepreneur.  Hmm… Activist or a Slactivist approach?  The panel shared how people. companies, and organizations are changing the world through social entrepreneurship and effectively using social media.

Wikipedia defines a Social Entrepreneur as someone who recognizes a social problem and uses entrepreneurial principles to organize, create, and manage a venture to make social change. A Social Entrepreneur acts as the change agent for society, seizing opportunities and improving systems, inventing new approaches and creating solutions to change society for the better.

Panelists included Sana Venjara, Bryan Lozano and Kalsoom Lakhani.

Check out the sketchnotes (visual summary) of what transpired during the discussion.  For a larger view, click the image to expand.

social-entrepreneur

Many thanks to Punchrock for hosting a great session.

What was your biggest takeaway? Please share and comment below.

Money School Rules from Jean Chatzky on SmallBizChat+

Money School Rules from Jean Chatzky on SmallBizChat+

Jean Chatzky is an author, speaker, and the financial editor for NBC’s Today Show.  She was featured on SmallBizChat Live, where Melinda Emerson shares live interviews with small business experts.  To see the interview with Jean, click here.

Jean discussed the importance of credit and shared this funny money rule: “Every birthday, you should check for you weight and credit score.”  Basically, one should go up and one should go down 😀

This rule inspired me to draw these sketchnotes.

 jean chatzky, money school, sketchnotes, small business

Here are a few tips from Jean to increase your credit score:

  1. Pay bills on time – every single one of them
  2. It is good to have a decent mix of credit – not just credit cards but utilities under your name as well, or a good credit standing in paying a car loan.
  3. Avoid signing up for new credit cards or closing old credit cards.

Have you hear of Jean’s money rule before?  Please share and comment below.

 

Women Entrepreneurs Rock at Spark & Hustle DC

Women Entrepreneurs Rock at Spark & Hustle DC

Just got back home from a room full of fired up women entrepreneurs!  I’m talking about Spark & Hustle

Tory Johnson is the visionary behind Spark & Hustle a national conference for business owners.   I was delighted that one of the stops on the tour was local for me in Washington, DC.   Here are a few highlights from this 2 day conference.

At the registration table there were tons of Sharpie markers in different colors to sign our badges… of course I had to take advantage of that 😀

spark and hustle badge, washington dc, sketchnotes

I decided to take a break from drawing sketchnotes during this conference, so I left all my professional supplies for drawing at home.  I just wanted to focus on connecting with people and learning strategies to grow my business.   But… I couldn’t help myself.  I’m a visual learner and before I knew it, pictures were popping up in my notes!  Take a peek.

I think everyone in the room got a chuckle from hearing Tory’s networking strategy in her early days of business.  The WAITERS don’t count.

Tory Johnson, Spark and Hustle, washington dc, #sketchnotes

Sarah Chapin from Hail Merry  shared so many tips and quotes that I loved.  Sarah told us “It doesn’t matter how small you start if your dream is BIG.”  I also loved the chocolate macaroons that were placed at our table, compliments of Hail Merry!

Hail Merry, Tory Johnson, Spark and Hustle, sketchnotes, Washington DC

Lena West  and Coach Jenn Lee did a fantastic job during the pitch session.  They helped many of the women in the audience iron out a crystal clear pitch.  I love how they both made themselves available to answer questions even after the session was over.

Sam Horn showed us the power of using stories.  Sam advised instead of asking someone what they do, say “give me an example of what you do?”  She also said “It’s time to evolve our marketing” and go from explanation to examples.Sam Horn Intrigue, Tory Johnson, sketchnotes, Washington DC

During the 2 day event, Tory strongly encouraged and reminded us to sit at a new table after each break and meet new people.  I took her advice and it made all the difference in the world.

So I want to give a shout out to just a few of the many fabulous entrepreneurs I met like Tceniccola, SunshineHopeElegantGranny, AdtechConsults, TheDesignHall, NextBrides, Heidi Pommer, Saralyn Collins, Scribbles and Works and Linda Pritchett.

What was your biggest take-away from Spark and Hustle?  Please share and comment below.

 

 

My Creative Business – Special Interview

My Creative Business – Special Interview

Hi Everyone,

I have some exciting news to share.

I was interviewed recently by Vera Raposo, business coach and mastermind at Your Creative Biz.   Vera offers products and services for creative entrepreneurs.  I was delighted to do this interview and honored for her to introduce me to her creative community.  Thanks Vera 😀

During the interview, I share how I got started with graphic recording, what was my turning point, and tips I have learned for business success.

You can check out my interview with Vera here.

creative business interview, graphic recording, sketchnotes, washington d.c.

Do you have a creative business or dream of one?  Please share what it is.  Just comment below.

Dan Miller Interview – Wisdom Meets Passion

Dan Miller Interview – Wisdom Meets Passion

Dan Miller is an author, coach, entrepreneur, speaker, and a creative thinker of low cost business ideas.  “Wisdom Meets Passion” (affiliate link) is the name of Dan Miller’s new book .  It’s a great collaboration between Dan and his son Jared.

I feel like I know Dan on a first name basis because I am member of the 48 days community and I have listened to his podcasts for years!  I often rotate and try out new podcasts, but Dan never goes out of rotation.

I was happy to learn that Jen McDonough, also a 48 days community member, was interviewing Dan for her radio show.   You can  hear the full interview here.

See my sketchnotes below for the rich pieces I heard during this interview.

For a larger view, click the image to expand.

Dan Miller, 48 days, Wisdom Meets Passion, Jen McDonough, Sketchnotes

What was your favorite take-away?  Comment below.

Building Your Small Biz – Advice from Melinda Emerson

Building Your Small Biz – Advice from Melinda Emerson

The Pennsylvania Conference for Women (#Pennwomen) hosted an information packed teleseminar called “Building Your Business” with Melinda Emerson.  If you have a small biz and you missed this, you can check it out here.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady, is America’s #1 small business expert and publisher of Succeed As Your Own Boss.  I’ve heard Melinda speak many times and she always delivers the goods.  So glad I had a chance to hear this teleseminar.

If you are not listening to seminars and podcasts on a regular basis, I encourage you to give it a try.

Whether I’m walking my dog or driving my car, there is always time to hear something new that I can learn and apply to my business.

Listening is also key to my work as a Sketchnote Artist and Graphic Recorder, so this was a great opportunity to keep my skills sharp.

See my sketchnotes below from the session.

  • Enjoy
  • Learn,
  • and Apply!

You can click on the image to expand.

 Melinda Emerson, #PennWomen, Building Your Business, Pennsylvania Conference for Women

What was your biggest take-away?  What will you take action on today?  Comment below.