I did an all day seminar on How to Set and Raise Your Rates, and have been thinking about the feedback. (The next seminar is November 9th in Seattle.) People loved learning the formulas and the true cost of discounting etc. (This stuff is just not taught!) But I love this comment: One of the … Continue reading Rate-setting Tip: Set Your Rates Based on Results →

I’ve got five brilliant ideas, all of which could make money, and my head is spinning. But I seem to be going in too many directions and not making progress anywhere. Then I read Karyn Greenstreet’s latest (August 07) Self-Employed Success Newsletter. (Karyn is a fabulous business coach. Her website is http://www.passionforbusiness.com.) She identified my … Continue reading Are You Getting Distracted? Bright Shiny Object Syndrome costs us money! →

Speaking of Practicing the Pause, I just got this email from Wyatt Bardouille, who interviewed me for their show WhitneyandWyatt.com. I asked her if I could share it. Hi Mikelann– I just wanted to tell you that I put to use one of the tenets that you taught us on our show – Practicing the … Continue reading One Woman Practices “The Pause”! →

During a recent Web TV interview for www.WhitneyandWyatt.com (I’ll post it as soon as I get it) they asked me, “What is one thing that women can do to stop underselling themselves?” Only one thing??!! But then I had it—“Practice the Pause”. The next time someone asks you to volunteer your time, discount your services … Continue reading A Simple Technique to Earn Your Worth: Practice “The Pause” →

Well, the Institute has landed! I signed on new lease space a month ago, and it feels great. What feels even better is how I negotiated the lease. The office space came with access to their conference room for a certain number of hours each month. That is great, since it is one reason I … Continue reading An uncomfortable moment saved me $1200! →

Washington Post Reporter Julia Feldmeier called me a few weeks ago, wanting to interview me for an article on self-promotion in the workplace. I had a thing or two to say! I told her that women have to toot their own horn, regardless of how uncomfortable it is. Because whether you like it or not, … Continue reading Should you master the “art” of bragging? In the Washington Post! →

I keep thinking about the stated reasons women make less then men, and the differences between being salaried and self-employed. (In my previous post, the article mentioned negotiation skills, choosing lower paying work and lack of childcare as reasons that contribute to the pay gap.) Many women chose self-employment to help balance work with family, … Continue reading 1 Question Self-employed Women Need to Ask Themselves →

I was reading the Seattle Times yesterday, and there was the latest depressing article on the pay gap: Gender Pay Gap Emerges Early, Study Finds. Basically: One year out of college, women working full time earn 80 percent of what men earn, according to the study by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, … Continue reading 3 reasons women earn less →

I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas where I spoke at the International Mom’s in Business Conference, put on by the Moms in Business Network. What a great day! Working mothers came together to support each other in being mothers AND working women! Gina Robison-Billups, founder of the MIBN, said to me … Continue reading The Secret of Millionaire Moms →

Today I had a fabulous radio interview with Marsh Engles of the Marsh Engles radio show. We discussed why women really undersell themselves. As a “creative consultant”, she made an interesting point. Sometimes women have a hard time charging enough money if what they are doing is creative. Because this work may be “easier” for … Continue reading Do you undercharge because you’re a “creative”? Great radio interview →