1. Marketplace magazine has been printed. Meaning my article is being read at this very moment by strangers. Strangers who will be delighted to know what we do and will call us for business.
2. Our official website has been set up! Well, the temporary page has anyways. But still!! It's there!!!!! www.ml-ideas.com. Check it out! The rest of it is on the way :)
Next step...applying for grants....
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Officially speaking, that is
Brainstorming with my mom is like standing in the middle of a thunderstorm. Ideas come crashing down, flickers of light brighten the darkened corners of your mind. Everything happens so fast that you have to find something solid to hold to, something to remember it all with.
Something like a pen and paper.
The downpour has stopped and the sun has peeked out--we can come out from cover and bask in the shine of the final plan of all those hours brainstorming.
We have officially come to our goal; we have a plan in order. We can now progress forward with all business plans and start making it happen.
We essentially have two businesses. M&L Ideas & Co, and Fastrac Coaching & Leadership. We registered as a numbered corporation with the Canadian government, and have placed in it these two businesses. Mom had already been using Fastrac as the name for her coaching business before all of this started. So she transferred it over to be ours. I will be joining my mom as a coach, I am starting courses in September to get my certification as a coach.
Our two businesses will work closely together and provide support for each other, though each one will provide unique services. Combined, our vision of the two is to provide assistance in personal and professional development; from the beginning, all the way to the end. We don't want to leave clients out on a lurch.
Fastrac will provide the Coaching aspect--you come to us with a problem or goal in mind, and we will help you through it and achieve those those goals. We will assist in self-empowerment. Once that goal is realised, and you need help to make those goals happen, M&L Ideas & Co will step in and carry it through. You want to start a new business? We'll help you with that, point you in the right direction, provide you with contacts who can do what needs to be done. Looking for a new job? We will help with resume building, bio scripts, we will help you market yourself. Is it something more personal you want to attain, such as fitness? We can even direct you there.
We still offer the workshops we had initially discussed in the beginnings of our brainstorming. We haven't lost that aspect. In fact, we saw a growth opportunity with and have introduced The Brain Walk Experience--smaller settings where we can comfortably teach people how to self coach using the Brain Walk.
And as time passes, other ideas will evolve, I'm sure. Who knows what else we will add to the plate! But now, officially speaking, we know what we are doing.
Something like a pen and paper.
The downpour has stopped and the sun has peeked out--we can come out from cover and bask in the shine of the final plan of all those hours brainstorming.
We have officially come to our goal; we have a plan in order. We can now progress forward with all business plans and start making it happen.
We essentially have two businesses. M&L Ideas & Co, and Fastrac Coaching & Leadership. We registered as a numbered corporation with the Canadian government, and have placed in it these two businesses. Mom had already been using Fastrac as the name for her coaching business before all of this started. So she transferred it over to be ours. I will be joining my mom as a coach, I am starting courses in September to get my certification as a coach.
Our two businesses will work closely together and provide support for each other, though each one will provide unique services. Combined, our vision of the two is to provide assistance in personal and professional development; from the beginning, all the way to the end. We don't want to leave clients out on a lurch.
Fastrac will provide the Coaching aspect--you come to us with a problem or goal in mind, and we will help you through it and achieve those those goals. We will assist in self-empowerment. Once that goal is realised, and you need help to make those goals happen, M&L Ideas & Co will step in and carry it through. You want to start a new business? We'll help you with that, point you in the right direction, provide you with contacts who can do what needs to be done. Looking for a new job? We will help with resume building, bio scripts, we will help you market yourself. Is it something more personal you want to attain, such as fitness? We can even direct you there.
We still offer the workshops we had initially discussed in the beginnings of our brainstorming. We haven't lost that aspect. In fact, we saw a growth opportunity with and have introduced The Brain Walk Experience--smaller settings where we can comfortably teach people how to self coach using the Brain Walk.
And as time passes, other ideas will evolve, I'm sure. Who knows what else we will add to the plate! But now, officially speaking, we know what we are doing.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Power of Positive Thinking
I have to admit, it is hard to rearrange your thinking. To take those negative or nonchalant thoughts and make them positive. There are a lot of thoughts in a day that need to be refocused.
But. (There is always a but.)
In the midst of my trying, I have seen success of my positive thoughts, of my gratitude I am trying to express in the everyday. Some of these things are seemingly silly, but they mean a lot to me. Call them little achievements if you will.
Positive Thought #1:
I play soccer on a ladies rec league. I am an ok player; last year was my first season, and I feel I have come a long way. This year, I have been thinking positively about my skills. I set goals in my head for two things: That I will be able to kick the ball and give it a lot of air and that I will get a goal this year.
So far, I have learned how to kick the ball and get the air I want. I can send it soaring (well, not soaring, but pretty darn high...hehehe). I have not gotten the goal yet, but 2 games ago, I took a shot on the net. Pretty fantastic considering I am not a striker for the team!!!
Positive Thought #2:
(Here's where it gets stretched a bit...) I have run out of my coffee at work and I keep forgetting to grind up more at home to bring in. I detest the coffee that is made at work, so I avoid it at all costs. This morning I was putting the thought out there that it would be nice to have a decent cup of coffee. And lo and behold, Tricia walks over to ask if I want to do a coffee run with her. Mmmmm....Starbucks coffee for me.
Positive Thought #3:
(And now it's just kind of ironic and funny) I bought a lotto ticket the other day for the draw last night. Remembering to think in the present tense, yesterday after dinner I said to my roomie, "I am so happy now that I have won the lottery tonight!!" So this morning, I checked my ticket...and...da da da dahhhh!!!!!!!!!! I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was not the jackpot (clearly, if I had won the jackpot, this would have been the first point in this list...actually, this list would not be written because I'd be on my way to claim the jackpot...), it was $10. But still! It's ten more dollars than I had yesterday!!
And that is my sharing for the day. I'll remember to keep thinking in positive terms, and it will all come up roses!!
But. (There is always a but.)
In the midst of my trying, I have seen success of my positive thoughts, of my gratitude I am trying to express in the everyday. Some of these things are seemingly silly, but they mean a lot to me. Call them little achievements if you will.
Positive Thought #1:
I play soccer on a ladies rec league. I am an ok player; last year was my first season, and I feel I have come a long way. This year, I have been thinking positively about my skills. I set goals in my head for two things: That I will be able to kick the ball and give it a lot of air and that I will get a goal this year.
So far, I have learned how to kick the ball and get the air I want. I can send it soaring (well, not soaring, but pretty darn high...hehehe). I have not gotten the goal yet, but 2 games ago, I took a shot on the net. Pretty fantastic considering I am not a striker for the team!!!
Positive Thought #2:
(Here's where it gets stretched a bit...) I have run out of my coffee at work and I keep forgetting to grind up more at home to bring in. I detest the coffee that is made at work, so I avoid it at all costs. This morning I was putting the thought out there that it would be nice to have a decent cup of coffee. And lo and behold, Tricia walks over to ask if I want to do a coffee run with her. Mmmmm....Starbucks coffee for me.
Positive Thought #3:
(And now it's just kind of ironic and funny) I bought a lotto ticket the other day for the draw last night. Remembering to think in the present tense, yesterday after dinner I said to my roomie, "I am so happy now that I have won the lottery tonight!!" So this morning, I checked my ticket...and...da da da dahhhh!!!!!!!!!! I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was not the jackpot (clearly, if I had won the jackpot, this would have been the first point in this list...actually, this list would not be written because I'd be on my way to claim the jackpot...), it was $10. But still! It's ten more dollars than I had yesterday!!
And that is my sharing for the day. I'll remember to keep thinking in positive terms, and it will all come up roses!!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The Queen called Edinburgh
Our workshop this past weekend in Stratford at the Queens' Inn was one of those hidden successes. While our attendance was not what we had hoped for, we still had an audience to work with. The nice thing about working with a smaller group was that the workshop took on a very cozy, very familiar atmosphere, and those who were there, seemed very comfortable to participate.
Mom and I learned a thing or two as well. The money we invested in advertising was not exactly returned to us~perhaps the medium is something for us to consider as not being our best avenue. We also learned that the smaller group was not only easy to work with, but that they also gave phenomenal responses on their evaluation forms.
So this led us to think....why not target small groups? In fact, why not target specific small groups. And rather than have workshops where we are drawing people from every which way, draw from circles of friends, from co-workers, from people who are content together as a group. Offer 'parties' to these people, and they can host them, they can invite their friends. Think of a Tupperware party, but make it a self coaching party. Make it a Brain Walk Party. And call it the Brain Walk Experience.
Mom and I learned a thing or two as well. The money we invested in advertising was not exactly returned to us~perhaps the medium is something for us to consider as not being our best avenue. We also learned that the smaller group was not only easy to work with, but that they also gave phenomenal responses on their evaluation forms.
So this led us to think....why not target small groups? In fact, why not target specific small groups. And rather than have workshops where we are drawing people from every which way, draw from circles of friends, from co-workers, from people who are content together as a group. Offer 'parties' to these people, and they can host them, they can invite their friends. Think of a Tupperware party, but make it a self coaching party. Make it a Brain Walk Party. And call it the Brain Walk Experience.
Edit Edit Edit
A few revisions to the article...we came up with a stellar idea and wanted to pump it up in the article. I'll repost it when I get back home :)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
275 words
A most enjoyable aspect of this new adventure is getting to do a variety of tasks--most of which I thoroughly enjoy!!
Last week, mom and I discussed the idea to put an article in a local magazine up in Bruce County, called Marketplace Magazine. Since an article is essentially an advertisement, those article's don't come cheap. Gottsta pay to get the word. Decision made, as mom pulls out an issue from 2 years ago that she still has kicking around the house. It's a magazine that hangs out, apparently.
The folks at the magazine said that either we can write it up ourselves, or they will get the details and write it. Handy Melissa suggests that I write it myself!! I think I did a pretty good job at it to....
"When psychic Mary Lynn Stevenson predicted 2007 to be a year of change and economic growth, little did she know how much that was going to impact her own life.
While earning her certification as a Power Coach from Coaching and Leadership International Inc., Lynn Stevenson presented her daughter Melissa with an idea. To create a business whose mission it is to assist people in personal and professional development; to assist people achieve their goals and find success.
M&L Ideas & Co. was born. Melissa and Lynn have joined together their unique pasts and experiences, and now promote upbeat, positive and creative thinking. Hosting a variety of workshops, based on the ideologies of Power Coaching, M&L Ideas & Co. has set forth to make an impact. Working with groups of all sizes, Lynn and Melissa are putting forth the message of how each individual person can make a difference in their own life by creative positive thought patterns and taking the physical steps to get there.
Along side the workshops and keynote speaking, is Fastrac Coaching and Leadership. Lynn’s brand of Power Coaching has been thoroughly and diligently learned – she graduated at the top of her class. Offering individual coaching sessions and personalized packages, coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients find fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives.
M&L Ideas & Co are available to host workshops in your area. If you are interested in having a workshop specifically designed for you, your community, friends or co-workers, contact Lynn and Melissa at 000-0000, or visit us online at www.ml-ideas.com. For coaching sessions with Fastrac Coaching and Leadership, you can contact Lynn at 000-0000."
Believe you me, it was hard to fit that within the 280 word limit. I got it in at 275. Let's just say there was a lot of editing, and a lot more information included. But all in all, I really liked writing it, and I am really looking forward to developing my writing skills to utilize with our business.
And by the way, the website is so close to being up and running!!!
Last week, mom and I discussed the idea to put an article in a local magazine up in Bruce County, called Marketplace Magazine. Since an article is essentially an advertisement, those article's don't come cheap. Gottsta pay to get the word. Decision made, as mom pulls out an issue from 2 years ago that she still has kicking around the house. It's a magazine that hangs out, apparently.
The folks at the magazine said that either we can write it up ourselves, or they will get the details and write it. Handy Melissa suggests that I write it myself!! I think I did a pretty good job at it to....
"When psychic Mary Lynn Stevenson predicted 2007 to be a year of change and economic growth, little did she know how much that was going to impact her own life.
While earning her certification as a Power Coach from Coaching and Leadership International Inc., Lynn Stevenson presented her daughter Melissa with an idea. To create a business whose mission it is to assist people in personal and professional development; to assist people achieve their goals and find success.
M&L Ideas & Co. was born. Melissa and Lynn have joined together their unique pasts and experiences, and now promote upbeat, positive and creative thinking. Hosting a variety of workshops, based on the ideologies of Power Coaching, M&L Ideas & Co. has set forth to make an impact. Working with groups of all sizes, Lynn and Melissa are putting forth the message of how each individual person can make a difference in their own life by creative positive thought patterns and taking the physical steps to get there.
Along side the workshops and keynote speaking, is Fastrac Coaching and Leadership. Lynn’s brand of Power Coaching has been thoroughly and diligently learned – she graduated at the top of her class. Offering individual coaching sessions and personalized packages, coaching is an ongoing partnership that helps clients find fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives.
M&L Ideas & Co are available to host workshops in your area. If you are interested in having a workshop specifically designed for you, your community, friends or co-workers, contact Lynn and Melissa at 000-0000, or visit us online at www.ml-ideas.com. For coaching sessions with Fastrac Coaching and Leadership, you can contact Lynn at 000-0000."
Believe you me, it was hard to fit that within the 280 word limit. I got it in at 275. Let's just say there was a lot of editing, and a lot more information included. But all in all, I really liked writing it, and I am really looking forward to developing my writing skills to utilize with our business.
And by the way, the website is so close to being up and running!!!
Monday, July 2, 2007
A message from Mom
Hi, I’m Lynn, Melissa’s mom, her business partner.
Sometimes it is hard to realize my little girl is all grown up and is now a beautiful young woman. And one, I might add, that I am very proud of.
I have been self employed for over 20 years and this is the first time I have taken on a business partner. It seems odd having someone else to share the responsibilities with. It is not always easy to ‘hand things over’ and not be the one in total control. Delegating is not always one of my strong points.
I know I made the right choice when I approached Melissa with the idea of creating a business together. We each have our own unique strengths and abilities which compliment each other.
In business situations she refers to me as ‘Lynn’, it seems so strange. Again, a sign she is not that little kid anymore. I know I made the right decision when I approached Melissa about the two of us going into business together. I look forward to a long and successful partnership. I know we will have a few hurdles to overcome, but I also have the confidence to know we will be a success.
On Saturday, July 7th, we have our first workshop as a team and it is going to be great. It is at the Queen’s Inn in Stratford. Hope to see you there!
Sometimes it is hard to realize my little girl is all grown up and is now a beautiful young woman. And one, I might add, that I am very proud of.
I have been self employed for over 20 years and this is the first time I have taken on a business partner. It seems odd having someone else to share the responsibilities with. It is not always easy to ‘hand things over’ and not be the one in total control. Delegating is not always one of my strong points.
I know I made the right choice when I approached Melissa with the idea of creating a business together. We each have our own unique strengths and abilities which compliment each other.
In business situations she refers to me as ‘Lynn’, it seems so strange. Again, a sign she is not that little kid anymore. I know I made the right decision when I approached Melissa about the two of us going into business together. I look forward to a long and successful partnership. I know we will have a few hurdles to overcome, but I also have the confidence to know we will be a success.
On Saturday, July 7th, we have our first workshop as a team and it is going to be great. It is at the Queen’s Inn in Stratford. Hope to see you there!
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