Salon de Maria Blog

Exciting Projects: Internet Business Coaching and BlogTalk Radio Show Comeback

2010-02-06T02:00:48Z

2010 has started off with exciting ideas and projects in the works!

As an internet marketer by profession, I've decided that it's finally time to share my knowledge and connect with people to help them realize their dreams of starting an internet business.

I recently launched my internet business coaching program, so if you're interested in getting your business up and running, I'd love to help you out!

Click here to find out more about my internet business coaching program...

If you already have an internet business and just need help with marketing, I'm available to help you with that as well.

Also, I've decided to bring back my Studio 747 BlogTalk radio show for those of you who need inspiration and help with living a more successful life. Whether it be your business life or personal life, I cover various topics that hopefully will spark the fire that propels you to reach all of your goals.

So far I'm staying focused on my vision of helping people live their passion...I sometimes get overwhelmed because there are so many ideas floating around in my head! I want to do everything right now, but I'm still in the process of learning to slow down and just have fun with it all.

Listen to Studio747 on Blog Talk Radio

New Mini Works of Art

2009-11-07T22:58:09Z

Last weekend I needed to decompress from working on the computer all week, so I pulled out the trusty scrapbooking materials for a change of scenery. I realize that I haven't added anything to my greeting card collection in awhile, so I got in relaxation mode and created two new mini works of art.

I found a great deal on scrapbooking paper at Big Lots (my go-to place for bargains) and was drawn to a pattern with fairies on it. And because I love flowers, naturally I came up with this handmade birthday card with a fairy and flower theme...

Here's a Thank You card in a flower theme...

Check out more of my handmade greeting cards...

This weekend I'll probably work on adding more cards. I've been inspired after browsing through the latest Somerset Memories Magazine. I've come to realize just how much I love creating art using mixed media. Art journaling is something I think I'll start doing...

Taking Business and Life To the Next Level

2009-10-22T07:30:55Z

It's been a whirlwind summer. My writing business has really taken off with client projects coming in - one after another. This has been the first week in a couple months that I've actually had the time to just mellow out and catch up on blog readings and books.

Although I am very grateful for the business, I've come to realize that I prefer to have an internet business that is more automated - the kind of business that many experienced internet marketing entrepreneurs talk about. I'm aiming to create my own product and have a system set up so that I can have a stream of income that comes in without any real effort on my own part.

]]> If you're not familiar with internet marketing, all of this may go over your head. Believe me when I say that this is probably the best type of online sales system to have. You create a product and have everything set up so that all you have to do is log in and start collecting money ;) If having an internet business piques your interest, I recommend reading my blog, Online Business Resources.

Of course I want this business to also make an impact on other people's lives. I wouldn't be doing it if that wasn't the case. I'm just at the point now where I want more time and freedom to travel and RELAX. A whole year off to just enjoy life would be nice!! How nice would it be to wake up and not have a deadline for an article!

As much as I love writing and having clients to write for, I would prefer to just write on my own blogs whenever I want. I'm starting to feel like I'm at the beck and call of my clients. The idea of being able to create whenever and however without any time constraints is so much more appealing. However, having said that, I wouldn't mind the occasional writing project every now and then.

So, how am I going to take my business to the next level?

I'm actually not worried so much about how I'm going to take my business to the next level. I'm learning to trust my inner guide and intuition to take me to the next step. A couple of opporunities have already showed up, so now it's just a matter of taking action. I'm also currently working on an ebook that will help people launch their own internet business. I hope to be finished with it by the end of the year.

So, that's where I stand right now. I'm just going to enjoy every moment of the journey! This paragraph from the book, "Living in the Light" by Shakti Gawain pretty much sums up how I'm living my life right now:

"We are now learning to live in accordance with the true laws of the universe. Living in harmony with the universe is living totally alive, full of vitality, joy, power, love, and abundance on every level. So, although letting go of the old world may seem difficult at times, it is well worth whatever it takes to make the transition into the new world.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Phoon

What To Do With Big Ideas

2009-08-06T21:49:07Z

I’m currently working on a project with my best friend that, in my mind, is the “next best thing”. I’m thrilled and very excited about this project because it is very much in line with my vision in life…to bring people together in peace and unity.

That’s all I can say right now about this project as my friend and I have decided to keep it hush hush until we finalize everything and get a concrete business plan in place.

Have you ever had an idea come to you that made you jump up with electrified excitement? That’s how I felt when this idea came to me. Now, I have many ideas that come to me throughout the day, but this particular idea really sent a surge through me. It’s a BIG idea.

Right after the idea came to me, another thought came: Wow, this is big. Do you want to invest the time? It’s going to take a lot of work. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one that this has happened to. That little voice of doubt and fear creeps up.

I’ve learned, though, to counter-act those questions of doubt with one single question:

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If the answer is no, I let the idea go and file it in the file cabinet of my mind. I may need the idea for future reference or perhaps I may need it share with someone else who could take it and run with it.

And if the answer is a heartfelt, “Yes!”, well, I simply push away those seeds of doubt and start planting seeds of action.

Now, mind you, it’s taken awhile to get this point in which I’ve been able to stand up and face those fears and doubts. I know it’s much easier said than done. For me, it’s been a matter of being conscious of those doubtful thoughts and then turning around that energy into something positive. I’m developing the faith and “knowingness” that the idea came to me for a reason.

Now I’m just taken things step by step…moment by moment. As I do this I’m starting to take notice of all the different things that show up in my life - the people or resources who may be the link that will help put all the pieces of this life-changing project together.

I’m excited!!

Photo Credit: Gabriel S. Delgado

I Love San Francisco

2009-07-27T04:52:53Z

I've lived in San Diego for fifteen years, and although I do love this city, there another city that's at the top of the list of favorite cities in California...

San Francisco...

Call me weird if you want, but I love San Francisco's cool, overcast weather! I love walking through China Town and finding bargains...and I love hanging out in Union Square - especially the multi-level Borders bookstore.

Here is a mosaic of pictures I took during a recent trip to the city...

Setting Priorities

2009-07-22T23:46:03Z

Between spending time with my family in Lemoore, chugging away at my ebook, and working on client's projects, a month has passed and I haven't updated this blog. All I can say is that there is never a dull second in my life. But don't take this as a complaint, I am surely grateful for having a very busy and productive life. That's the lifestyle choice I made.

For the past couple weeks I've been getting my life organized, revisiting my visions and dreams, and making sure my priorities are straight. I must give a big shout-out and thank you to my business coach, Maureen Orey, for helping me stay on track. If you ever need someone to help keep you mentally focused on what needs to be done to get your business going, then you should check out Maureen's website or follow her on Twitter.

]]> needs to be done versus what I want to get done. I write down a long list of things to do, and most of the time the list of too long. (It's the overachiever in me). I think that everything has to get done that day and then beat myself up for not getting everything done. Actually, I've gotten alot better at not beating myself up ;) I've shortened the To Do lists and have worked on being productive at being unproductive.

My current priority is finishing the ebook that I started a couple years ago. So from this day forward I have put "Work on ebook" at the top of the everyday To Do list. Even before I check email (which is usually the first thing I do every morning), I will work on that ebook for at least 30 minutes per day. Pinky swear!

If you need help getting your own priorities straight, Brian Tracy, one of my favorite authors, wrote an article about Setting Priorities.

Mission: Get Out of the Rat Race

2009-06-14T00:23:54Z

Being the entrepreneur that I am, my mind is non-stop when it comes to business ideas. I also have friends who are realizing the skills that I have and are asking me to help them with their businesses.

Yes, people are beginning to feel the power of the internet and social networking. What used to be thought of as frivolous activities (i.e. blogging or hanging out on Twitter and Facebook) have become opportunities to make money.

My friend told me the other day, "If I had listened to you three years ago and started my own blog, I would probably be making alot of money right now and spending more time with my kids!"

Well, it's definitely not too late to make money on the internet! If you've come across this blog looking for tips and ideas on starting an internet business, check out my online business blog.

I read about people who are losing their jobs due to the economy and it's motivating me to get my ebook finished. I know that there many people waking up to this idea of having their own internet business. If I could help even one person get away from the rat race, I will be happy. People have to stop relying on a 9-5 job for their income and start taking charge of their abundance!
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Right now my sources of income are:

SEO/Web Content clients - I currently have a few clients that I write blog posts and articles for
Ad revenue on my blogs
Affiliate programs - I've written about the affiliate programs that do well for me here.
Handcrafted greeting card business
Handmade beaded jewelry business

My main focus lately has been keeping my blogs updated and utilizing social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook to market those blogs. However, that's not to say that next week I may be focused on making jewelry. My creative energy is moody like that.

Would you like to get out of the rat race and start creating multiple sources of income for yourself? I suggest subscribing to my Online Business Resources blog because I will soon be launching my ebook that will help you get your internet business started!

The Power of Flowers

2009-05-18T06:00:08Z

As an artist with a great deal of creative energy, I often have moments when I'm focused on my writing...then I'll switch to making jewelry or greeting cards. Recently I've started to feel a little burned out from blogging and writing, so to mix it up I've started making greeting cards again.

I took inventory of all the cards I have and realized that many of them were never added to my online greeting card shop, so I spent most of the weekend uploading cards and making new ones as well.

I still have one of the first greeting cards that ever made. I've titled it, "The Power of Flowers"...

Flowers are one of my favorite themes. Flowers really do have a great deal of power. They teach me that there is beauty in everything...and flowers bring so much happiness to people.

As the famous painter Claude Monet once said, "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."

Less Work, More Play (And Money!)

2009-04-09T18:49:19Z

That's been my mantra since the beginning of the year. I've set the intention that I'm going to work on my business versus working in my business. I'm referring to my blog network, Studio 747.

I want to take Studio 747 to the next level...and in order for me to do that, I'm going to have to get help. I love writing and blogging, but having to write on 10+ blogs does take a great deal of time! I have taken one step towards my goals and outsourced a small portion of my blog writing.

Today I came across Leo Babauta's post, Don't Have Time For Your Goals? Simplify Your Commitments. Of course, it was a timely post as I have been thinking of ways that I can cut the things that I feel obligated to. (Really? I don't have to post to my blogs every week?) I've noticed that I've been watching more TV and spending more time on Twitter than usual, so I'm going to work on spending less time on unproductive activities. Not to say that Twitter is unproductive because I think connecting with others is beneficial to my business. I'll spend 30 minutes on Twitter from now on versus 1 or 2 hours.

]]> Yaro Starak's Secrets (And Mine!) to a 2-Hour Work Day".

It's a challenge because my "work" is my passion. I don't think of it as work, so I could spend all day doing it. However, I'm learning to be more harmonious with other parts of my life by spending more time with friends, family, and the community.

The ultimate goal is to take my business on the road and start traveling to far distance places! First stop: Dubai!

Making a Mark

2009-03-30T06:16:33Z

Yesterday I celebrated my 35th birthday! For some women turning one year older is just horrible. They start checking out their face for wrinkles and lines...

Sure, it was a special day, but for me the "Big 35" is just another year. My life philosophy has always been to celebrate each day like it's a birthday!

The fiance treated me out to lunch and afterwards we headed to beautiful Balboa Park to check out the Museum of Man and enjoy the absolutely gorgeous weather we are currently having in San Diego. It's hard not to have a good day when you live in a city like San Diego ;)

As I was looking at the exhibits in the Museum of Man, I was awestruck by the fact that many of these pieces survived thousands of years buried underground before they were discovered by archaeologists. Just think, one day thousands of years from now people will be looking at our computers, digital cameras, and works of art as if they are foreign objects!

I started to think about the mark I wanted to make in the world. What could I leave behind that would tell people from the future about this day and age?

Artists Are From Another Planet

2009-03-20T04:09:33Z

Artists are from another planet. That's the conclusion that I've come to.

In general, people who give advice on productivity always tell you that it's better to get up early...blah...blah...blah. Sure, this may work for other people, but the creative people I know are night owls who work into the wee hours of the morning. They're idea of waking up "early" is 10-11 a.m.

There's something about working in the very early morning...say, 1-3 a.m. Except for the occasional dog barking, the earth is very silent. No birds chirping and no rooster crowing. (I have a neighbor with chickens!) Absolutely silent...and during those hours I'm able to just be inside my head. There's no oohing and ahhing at how beautiful the sunshine is outside. I'm focused on the task at hand (Usually I'm writing).

]]> Reasons To Write at Night and When the Sun Is Rising.

I would say that this lifestyle of staying up into the early morning hours would be different if I had kids. So, I'm going to enjoy this time while I can!

One thing I've learned is that I shouldn't force myself to be creative. It will be two in the afternoon and with only one blog post written, I'll feel like a loser. I realize, though, that my creative peak times change throughout the day and I'm becoming more in tune with my creative and biological rhythms. I've come to accept that my body operates differently than the majority of Americans. I no longer live that 9-5 lifestyle...and I'm lovin' it.

Photo Credit: Luz A. Villa

Focused on Being Happy

2009-03-06T00:23:27Z

Photo Credit: Dheepak Ra

As someone with a great deal of creative energy flowing through me, I often find it a challenge to stay focused. Many people have told me that I should focus on one thing, but for me that's hard because I have so many interests. I love writing, but I also like to make jewelry and greeting cards...and I've built businesses around these interests.

Perhaps, yes, my jewelry business would be much bigger now had I focused solely on that. Or maybe I would have finished that ebook I've been working on for the past year had I focused just on my writing. However, focusing on just one thing just isn't me. I'm moody like that. My creative moods are different from day to day.

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I've been revisiting the book, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. If you've never read it, I highly recommend that you do. More than anything in the world, what I want to be is happy...right now in this moment. I already know that every goal will come into fruition sooner or later (hopefully sooner). Now it's just a matter of taking the steps and enjoying the journey...and that journey is different from day to day.

One thing I know for sure...that I am focused on being happy :)

The Abundance Mentality

2009-02-27T02:59:12Z

"The Abundance Mentality...flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in sharing of prestige, of recognition, of profits, of decision making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity." -- Stephen R. Covey

The quote above comes from Covey's bestselling book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ".
I thought it would be a great quote to share - especially during this time when so much focus has been on the stock market and the economy.

I invite you to read my blog, The Good Life, to learn more about how to create an abundance mentality for yourself!

Productive At Being Unproductive

2009-02-03T03:33:58Z

Did I ever mention that I am an overachiever?

Well, if you've been reading this blog for some time now, you know that I am. What other kind of person would manage and write for 10+ blogs (seriously, I've lost count) while working on a jewelry and handcrafted cards businesses? Well, as I stated before, I've cut out those two businesses...but interestingly enough I started getting more jewelry orders after I said that I was just going to focus on my blogging.

So this year I have made the intention to slow things down a bit - especially after I came down with the flu last week. I hardly ever get sick, so that was a sign that it was time to just refocus and enjoy life. I think I was turning into one of those people that was addicted to being busy when in actuality I wasn't really accomplishing anything.

]]> really needs to be done versus what I think should be done. For example, I would write out a list of ten things to do for the day - which is an unrealistic length for a list to begin with, but that's what I've been doing for so many years. I would look at that list and think that everything on the list had to be done that day when in actuality only one or two of the things were priority and everything else could be delegated (like articles for my blogs). I would stress myself out trying to get everything done.

But those days are gone! I now intend to live by the philosophy, "Less Is More".

I started this weekend by not doing any blogging and just spending time with friends and family. So what if I hadn't updated a blog in a week?

I now celebrate the things that I do accomplish and not beat myself up over the things I don't accomplish. I realize that I had gotten myself caught up in the idea that I had to DO, DO, DO and accomplish this and accomplish that. I know that I've done so much...so much more than most people do in their lifetime.

I've finally given myself permission to pat myself on the back...

So now I'm productive at being unproductive!

And I'm very happy with that ;)

Lessons From Rick DiBiasio, "The Affluent Artist"

2009-01-24T01:30:40Z

As I continue my quest to do something different each day, I thought I'd visit other blogs that I've never read before.

Being that I am an artist, I wanted to discover other artists who blog and I came across The Affluent Artist Blog which is written by Rick DiBiasio.

I like this post, Too Busy to Get Anything Done, in which Rick talks about how many of us need to "declutter" our life to make room for the important things. Here is a video clip of Rick expanding on that thought...

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I think it's synchronicity that brought me to Rick's blog because I've been doing alot of thinking about what I really, really want in life. I've been so busy being busy that I haven't really stopped to consider if what I'm doing is in tune with my long-term goals in life.

So as I look at all the different projects or businesses that I'm working on, I realize that there are a couple things that I could cut out of my life...

My jewelry business - I love making jewelry, but I feel that I've lost the passion for the business aspect of it. I think I may just keep jewelry making as a hobby.

My greeting card business - I feel the same way about this as I do about my jewelry business.

My main focus right now is writing on my blog network, Studio 747, and attracting more subscribers to those blogs. The next step is hiring contributors to those blogs so I don't have to write so much. I'm also working on attracting more advertisers to sponsor the blogs.

I'm going to take Rick's advice and start doing the five things each day that will get me closer to reaching my goal of making $5,000 in passive income. Yesterday I created a mindmap for an affiliate program that I've just started promoting. I'm excited about it because I think it's a great product and it also has the potential to make people a great deal of money. Read more about this opportunity on one of my blogs: 3 Reasons Why An Online Membership Website Is a Great Online Business.

So as of right now I'm just going with the flow of things. I'm taking inspired action instead of taking action based on the "neediness" to be busy. I'm no longer chasing after the money. I'm doing things which spring from the desire to be of service and to bring value to the other people's lives.

P.S. You may be interested in reading Rick DiBiasio's book,The Affluent Artist: How Creative Could You Be If Money Wasn't an Issue? The Money Book for Creative People