Build Your Website

Why Starting a Website is Important for All Professionals

In this day and age, anyone can have their own website. It’s not limited to giant corporations and tech-savvy computer engineers anymore – anyone from your school-aged neighbor to your adventurous great aunt can set up and maintain a website. The barriers have come down, and there’s no reason you can’t set up your own online space. More than standard …

Friend's Job Referral

How Should You Get a Friend’s Helpful Job Referral?

I am interested in a position at a company where a friend of mine works. How should I initially reach out to my friend on the inside for some help to be considered for the role? Can I get my friend’s job referral? – Vanessa in San Mateo, California  Answer: Amanda: Vanessa, how I would approach my friend depends on …

What Should You Know Before You Start a Business?

What Should You Know Before You Start a Business?

So many of us have amazing ideas that we want to turn into lucrative careers. But starting your own business takes a lot of work! What should you know before becoming an entrepreneur? Our first tip in learning about this career path is to listen to our new podcast interview with two guests who know a thing or two about …

Be Revolutionary and Reject Unpaid Internships

Be Revolutionary and Reject Unpaid Internships

Why is it that talented, educated, and well-informed people are willing to consider and accept unpaid internships? Or, even worse, pay college tuition while they work for a company? Talk about adding insult to injury. Is it that everybody is doing it, so it’s okay? Or is it because your college advisor is promulgating this swill? Here’s the deal: it’s …

What Unique Obstacles do Women Starting a Business Face?

What Unique Obstacles do Women Entrepreneurs Face?

I am considering branching out on my own. What unique obstacles do women starting their own business face? What should I know before getting started? – Nanea in Wailuku, Hawaii Answer: Nanea, fear and financing are the two of the biggest obstacles women face when starting their own business. While these may not appear unique, they are. Financing is pre-loaded …

Too Many Meetings

Myriad Meetings Driving You Mad? How to Create Balance

Meetings. They’re part and parcel of many an office job, and talk at the water cooler likely includes jokes about them. Oftentimes, the jokes center on there being too many meetings within an organization or department. While meetings offer a great forum to exchange ideas and clarify projects, they can become time-wasters as discussions turn into long-winded, meandering explanations that …

My Passionate Journey of Creating a Successful Business - Angela Shen

My Passionate Journey of Creating a Successful Business

How do you combine your passions with an opportunity to turn them into a business? What if your passion is, say, food? You can find out in our new podcast interview with Angela Shen, a food-loving entrepreneur who got the idea for and started her own successful culinary touring company, Savor Seattle Food Tours. From a daughter of immigrants running …

Female Entrepreneur Relocating to New City

How to Succeed as a Female Entrepreneur in New City

I am a female entrepreneur. What factors are important to consider when moving to a new city? – Martha in Port Orford, Oregon Answer: Martha, this is a complex question and deserves a comprehensive guide for consideration. However, I will touch on key components to review. The number one factor is the fit for your business. Does the city have …

How to Reevaluate the Conversation in the #MeToo Era - Best Practices

How to Reevaluate the Conversation in the #MeToo Era

Recently I had a conversation about work with a friend that gave me pause. During our discussion, we came to the topic of the changing dynamics in the workplace in light of the #MeToo movement. My friend, let’s call her Nancy, said something that initially left me bereft of a response. Nancy felt that the movement was creating a negative …

How to Break Out of Your Shell and Network Like a Pro

How to Break Out of Your Shell and Network Like a Pro

Learning to network can be overwhelming. Being shy can make this professional endeavor especially challenging. Just walking up to someone and introducing yourself might seem tough for you, but we’re here to help! As with all things, the key to getting better is through practice, practice, practice. Introduce yourself to your barista, the IT woman at your company, and members …

10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Daily Commute

10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Daily Commute

How many of you have had to endure long, stressful commutes to and from work? Nearly all of us can relate, and most would agree that the daily commute can be a drag. However, there are ways to make it tolerable and even fun! Melissa Addey is an author, speaker, and Creative Writing PhD student at the University of Surrey. Her …