So, what do you do? The secret to an effective answer…

By yollana | Published: November 5, 2009

“So, what do you do?”

Err, umm….

Lots of business people find it hard to answer this one. Or hard to answer it effectively.

Even if you do know the secret to an effective answer, it can still be hard to find the right words when applying it to your business.

But that’s where the other secret to an effective answer comes in…

Oh dear, this is all getting pretty secretive. Let me explain.

A story of two mums

The other day, I was at this mother and baby exercise class, and I really noticed the lady next to me. Maybe it was her sparkly green necklace, or her big friendly smile… Or maybe it was the fact that her baby puked all over her right after mine puked all over me. Either way, there was something that drew me to her, and after the class we started talking… Read More »

Posted in Attracting loyal customers | 5 Comments

Hey baby, does your business wear a nappy?

By yollana | Published: October 25, 2009
My other soul business: 7 week old Ashwin

My other soul business: 7 week old Ashwin

So. it’s been two whole months since I wrote and article for my blog, because… I had a baby! Ashwin Arunai Bulmer, born 7th September amidst ecstatic and excruciating screams.

He was four weeks early, and I’ve been so busy with nappies and the rest of it, that I’ve hardly had a chance to surface, let alone post an article on my beloved blog.

I wish I could say I’m at peace with that, but the truth is, I still live under the shadow of SuperBusinessMum… Her business is brilliant, organized and flourishing… She’s there for her kids 100% of the time… Her home is spotless… She does everything herself… And she’s extremely sexy… all the time. Ha! Read More »

Posted in Being Yourself in Biz, Business soul, Work-life balance | 7 Comments

Is your workspace a source of inspiration or overwhelm?

By yollana | Published: August 25, 2009

When I’m in my office, I want to feel on top of things.

I imagine it like I’m rowing across a sparkling blue ocean on a beautiful clear day. There’s a lot happening underneath the surface, but on top, it’s clear, spacious and beautiful, as the boat moves steadily forward.

…Unfortunately, what I often feel is: overwhelmed, squashed in and crowded, like I’m drowning under piles of papers and suffocating amidst the pressure of unfinished tasks.

When it gets this bad, you’ll often find me taking the laptop to the kitchen or the dining room table, to avoid the office altogether!

So, what do you do when your space feels so bad that you’d rather run away than clean it up? Read More »

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What makes a website work?

By yollana | Published: August 18, 2009

Last week I wrote about the three most basic models you can use to get your business online – as in, to get a website.

When most people first think of creating a website, they think about how it is going to look. Design is important, for sure.

But it’s not the only thing.

Imagine someone serves you a plate of food that looks absolutely exquisite….

….But tastes awful.

Are you going to want to eat their food again?

Or, try another scenario: You buy a book because the cover is really stylish, and you like the look of the illustrations inside.

But when you start to read, the sentences are not quite ordered right, and nothing makes sense…

Do you finish the book? Even if you did… Do you understand the message?

Three things that make a website work…

Read More »

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Do you really need a website?

By yollana | Published: August 11, 2009

The other week I wrote about Twitter (Does Twitter Have Soul?) and if/ how it can be useful if you have a small business.

From a business perspective, social media forums like Twitter and Facebook tend to work best when you have a “home base” online. Somewhere people can go to find out more about what you offer…. In other words: A website.

But do you really need a website?

If you are not sure, then this article is for you.

With the speed of technology moving so fast, it can sometimes be overwhelming and embarrassing to feel like the only kid on the block without a website. But – honestly – it doesn’t have to be such a big deal.

In this article, my intention is to de-mystify the whole website thing, so you can get your head around whether you really need one, and if you do, then – honestly – why and how fancy does it really have to be? Read More »

Posted in Websites | Tagged | 3 Comments

How to quit approval-seeking and get on with shining in your business.

By yollana | Published: August 5, 2009

It’s really uncomfortable to be needy. Especially needing approval. Most of us cover it up because if people knew how much we needed approval… Well, they might not approve of us, right?

But it’s the covering up that makes it harder to access and heal. And that ultimately keeps you from shining, unselfconsciously, as your glorious self!

Let me give an example…

The other day, I was having lunch with a bunch of friends who are also colleagues. People I respect and admire. We were outdoors enjoying the sunshine and I mentioned how I was really excited about a recent insight I had about myself, which had implications for my business. I started to explain, in a bit of detail, exactly what had shifted for me.

I didn’t realize it, but even though I was trying to be casual about it, I was really seeking acknowledgement for this ‘big insight’ which was important to me.

Thing is, this was a casual lunchtime conversation. And, to be honest, the inner workings of my psyche were not top of the agenda for the people I was with. They kinda just nodded and moved on.

My earth-shaking news… fizzled. Read More »

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Can Social Media have Soul? Introducing Twitter…

By yollana | Published: July 28, 2009

If you’ve never heard of Twitter…

or you’re wondering what all the fuss is about…

or you think it’s the ugliest thing on Earth…

This article is especially for you :)

The other day I introduced a client to Twitter.

She’s not generation X or Y. She’s actually more mature than that :) … But she has recently started managing her own wordpress website, has taken blogging in her stride and has even ventured onto Facebook. So I figured Twitter would be the next logical step…

I figured wrong. She freaked! Read More »

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Oops! Caught in the trap of being inauthentic… (again!)

By yollana | Published: July 21, 2009

Dancing with the mystery.

As I enter my eighth month of pregnancy, I am aware that this little guy growing in my belly is quite a mystery. He’s about to change our lives entirely… Alter the dynamics of our family in a way that can’t be undone… Yet I don’t really know who he is.

And it reminds me of when I first conceived of Soul Business. You might have read about it in my earlier posts – how the whole thing came to me at 3am in flash of light…

Although, in a way, it was only a thought and a name… It was also a tangible presence that was entering my life… And I had this knowing that it would be with me for years to come.

Still, back then I had very little idea of what Soul Business actually is… And even less about what our relationship would entail! Read More »

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When the weight of work gets in the way of love…

By yollana | Published: July 13, 2009

As the mother of a beautiful and bubbly toddler, I mostly feel awed and inspired to have my daughter in my life.

But sometimes, when she’s testing my boundaries, pushing my buttons, or just being two… I can get to feeling like she’s just too much. And for a moment, I just want her “away”!

And I have to admit, it’s never a totally comfortable place to be – feeling grumpy, annoyed or disconnected from someone I love so much.

If you love your business – and I think you do – it can be hard to admit that you’re feeling restricted or burdened by it.

…But it sometimes happens, right?

When there’s too much work, not enough time, too  many demands, not enough money, or things just aren’t going the way you expected… It’s easy to start feeling frustrated or burdened, wishing it could all just disappear.

Even if you started this business because you love this work, this is the time where you secretly think… “Maybe I should be doing something else…”

The problem is not what you think it is.

Read More »

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Business as Art with Heart

By yollana | Published: July 4, 2009

What is your art? And how do you bring your heart into it?

Whether you are a healer, coach, consultant or craftsperson… If you own your own business, you have an art.

Is it how you talk to people?… Or how you listen? …Is it the websites you design? …The reports you write? … Or the blog posts?

This week, I had a million possible articles in my head that I want to write and share with you. Then I just came across this brilliant poem that expresses (as only poetry can) at least one or two of those things…

So I’m inviting you to read this short poem. Published in 1883, its message remains as true now, as ever.

Try reading it with your own business – your art – in mind. Read More »

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