This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Arnesha Speaks, CFO For Women

Becoming an entrepreneur is a dream of many, but wanting and becoming are two different things. Pursuing this dream requires effort, in all possible aspects. We have countless examples of successful entrepreneurs who started from scratch and are now successful billionaires.

Before you Google a business plan template and start plugging in the information or building a website, you need to understand your vision. What is your why? Why do you want to start a business? Do you understand the difference between a hobby and a business? Do you know that starting a business is a commitment and requires extra time, attention, and resources? What are you hoping to achieve by starting a business?

Here’s where people get it wrong:

They start posting on social media about their website.They skip the business plan.Go out and bu…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Tracy Malone, ACTIVATED FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

As you begin to read this its a new week but the days all feel the same...

I get it, you’re at your wits end , right?   I know your pain because I’ve been in your shoes.  All female entrepreneur’s situations different but the results are usually the same: You’re working 10-14 hour days and too many weekends, just to keep a few clients happy…  You know you're not getting paid what you’re worth and you’re probably at the point where you’ve started to resent your business.   You’re doing everything by yourself, checking off every task off your list and feel completely strapped for time…   You’re beaten tired running yourself ragged with a to-do list that never stops and you know you’re heading towards a breakdown…    You're the chef, ma…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Ruth Wilson, Impact Igniter Club

Do you know the story of Robert Goddard’s rocket launch, creating and building the world's first liquid-fueled rocket?Up until,1926, Solid materials, namely gunpowder, were used for rocket launches. And Liquid-fuel rocket, which is now mainstream, wasn’t even a concept for discussion. That was until Robert Goddard set out to do the impossible.For the first time in history, a rocket would be propelled by liquid fuel, a combination of liquid oxygen and gasoline. But, Goddard faced many difficulties initially. His belief that humans could travel to the moon aboard a rocket with flash power was mocked, criticized, and seen as absurd.However, this “rickety contraption” was a revolutionary discovery that introduced a method of reaching extreme altitudes. He didn’t let the excuses and negativity around him interfere with his ideas and beliefs, st…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Katie Harp, Katie Harp Creative

Using styled stock photos is a great way to brand your business and showcase your business's personality, without having to go through the hassle of taking your own stock photos or hiring a professional photographer every time you need a new photo.By using styled stock photos, you can add a more professional and branded look to your content while saving yourself time and money. If you're wondering how exactly you should be using stock photos, then here are 10+ ways to use stock photos in your online business to spark some ideas!

10 Ways to Use Styled Stock Photos in Your Business

1. On your website

Besides the actual design, colors, and fonts used on your website, styled stock photos can be an effective way to add visual appeal and enhance your website. If you find stock photos in your brand colors, they can ad…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Stephynie Malik, SMALIK Enterprises

There is zero shame in my game when it comes to learning — learning new things or new ways to adapt to my business environment. Knowledge is leverage. I'll even go outside the human species to learn about behaviors and how they link to their outcomes.FACT! The science is clear. Chameleons lack the color pallet to camouflage to their environment. They adapt to changes in their emotions and environment. The color change communicates their mood for all to see.Chameleons are all about awareness — self and situational. How could those two traits not improve the quality of the connection you have with clients, team members, or anyone else? Here is where the lessons begin.Lesson One: The chameleon has hatersMany in business see the chameleon as fake, and that self and situational awareness are not a skill but a liab…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Cassandra Taveras, Stacked House Mama

How did we get here?Perhaps we need to step back and ask our self how did we get here? Well through the years we slowly had many up hill battles. If your marriage is happy or falling apart it is important to taking a deeper look. Asking skin deep questions can seem intimidating at time.The goal is always to be on the same page and the same level. If you feel lost take a peep at these questions. Ask your partner to do an exercise with you. Tap into the skin deep questions and discover something new about your partner.The purposeThe main purpose is to get to know your partner in their current state. In order for you to get to know each other better, both of you have to be open to the questions. The more honest the marriage can be, the better chance it has at surviving. These deep questions to ask are designed…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Alli Beck, Alli Beck Design

Have you ever played a game of white elephant at a Christmas party?

Participants pile gifts in the center and people draw numbers, then take turns selecting and unwrapping a gift. The fun begins when people start stealing gifts others have already unwrapped.

But have you ever noticed that the gifts in beautiful wrapping paper with bows are the ones chosen first? This occurs even when someone inevitably points out that the gift in the paper bag is probably the best one … Probably … But no one wants to take the chance.

This is human psychology. We are attracted to things that are beautiful - whether that is in nature, our food, the products we buy and yes, the design of a website, logo, or other materials from a business.

But design isn’t just about the visual. It is also how something functions. And how so…

This blog post has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Tineke Rensen, Powerful Business Academy

When you are a female entrepreneur creating a team, hiring team members is only the beginning of the process. If you want to build a strong team, you need to train them. Research shows that training gives your employees the information they need to be able to perform at the required level of skill and knowledge.

In other words, training bridges the gap between how they (your team members) perform, and how you (the leader) expect them to perform. After all, you are still in charge. How they work and their quality of work should meet the standards that you set for your business. And it’s up to you to implement this.

If you’re new to this and have only just hired your virtual assistants, here are a few tips on how you can train them.

SOP’s are a must

It doesn’t matter…