Sunday, February 24, 2008

This has been exciting so far!

The first amazing step in publishing a book is holding the finished product in your hand. The next most amazing encounter is seeing it held in someone else's.

That's what has been happening this week. I spoke at several events this week - to women entrepreneurs who are part of the eWomen Network, to undergraduate business women at The Ohio State University, to high school juniors at the YWCA, to individuals at a bookstore - and each time I had a chance to interact about the book I felt the same excitement. The possibility of connecting on a deeper level. Of sharing ideas that are a bridge between us, and the chance to add empowerment on both sides. I love to learn from each encounter - and hopefully the feeling is mutual.

The third part of publishing a book is having someone approach you, or e-mail you, or blog about the book, or post a review about the effect the book has had on them. That's an amazing feeling - and I hope, at the very least - I can provide in the book half as much inspiration as I'm finding interacting with all of you across the country.

Thanks for joining the community.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

The first podcast!

Ok, it might not be as exciting to you as it is to me, but I just finished my first podcast about the book. I was interviewed by my friend Keith Ferrazzi, the best-selling author of Never Eat Alone (recommended in my book). Keith's message fits perfectly with the message of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs.

You need to make sure the real you is in your business: your passions, your gifts, your unique point of view. It's how you build relationships. It's your competitive advantage. Click and listen to us talk about the essence of the book. Let me know what you think!

http://www.keithferrazzi.com/podcasts/ferrazzisturdivant.mp3

Sunday, February 10, 2008

It's official! The book is out!

The culmination of the book publishing journey is when you see your book on the shelf at your local bookstore. And I just did. It was an amazing feeling. It's just like launching a business, really. Getting that first business card printed. Securing your url. It's all about bringing something new to the world. Putting yourself out there.

And as you know, that's the essence of entrepreneurship. Bringing something to the world with your unique spin on it. In Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs I've created a chart to help you remember that spark as your business begins to grow and prosper. The chart is an organizing system, a tool for you to use to make sure you are always referring back to your own unique personal brand and bringing it to the world as a business that is distinctly yours. With break-through authenticity.

At the center of the chart, and the center of life is the truth: It all starts with you. Chapter One - of the same name - illuminates this point with exercises and stories from other entrepreneurs and will help you find the one word that defines you.

It's important. It's where everything starts. With you. The Real You. For more about the Real You Incorporated chart and some examples, visit my website: http://www.RealYouIncorporated.com

And, if you pick up a copy of the book, you'll find out a lot more about the real me and my story. Visit my website and share yours. I'd love to welcome you to the Real You Incorporated community.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

The spark, the work and yes, the reward

Successful entrepreneurs. They're inspiring.

Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs is about to launch, and one of the most exciting parts of the book is my ability to introduce you to just some of the amazing entrepreneurs I've been priveledged to meet, interview, laugh with, and share with over the course of my last two decades in business.

Earlier in my career, while working for different advertising agencies, I could spot the entrepreneurial clients the moment the meeting began. It's a special spark, a flame of creativity. A passion. As a marketing executive for several large service companies, I had the privelege of packaging that spark into break-through brands. And at the helm of my own writing business, each time I interview an entrepreneur I smile. It's fun and inspiring.

That's why I've featured 24 real stories in the book, with more being added all the time to my website . Real women with real stories of success. Perhaps you'll find a story there to inspire you, or if you're already an entrepreneur, you'll find yourself reflected in the pages.

What else do all of these entrepreneurs have in common? Hard work, of course. Businesses don't just happen. But they do when entrepreneurs find it within themselves to create a unique brand and bring it to the world. Authentically. With purpose.

Every 60 seconds a woman starts a business. Maybe this is your spark's time?