Did you know that women control the economy?
Or that women-owned businesses make up a large part of the market?
Eighty cents of every dollar earned in America is spent by women.
Hi, I'm Nancy Glass.
Welcome to Women in Charge, the show that celebrates the empowered spirit of today's
woman.
In today's show, we'll take a look at smart organizational tools as well as great business
ideas for hungry entrepreneurs.
Stay with us.
The economy is stronger than it's ever been, and thanks to the millions of women-owned
companies, the unemployment rate is at a record low.
About 50 percent of entrepreneurs are female, and more than 50 million women comprise the
workplace.
These women saw an opportunity, and they took it.
As we're about to see, there are many more business opportunities available out there.
For those who haven't explored their entrepreneurial side, now may be the best time.
Tara McNamara took a look at how to get started.
Service stations are providing consumers with much more than just gasoline.
Today you can buy groceries, have lunch, fuel up, and wash the car all in the same place.
This new concept is pumping up sales higher than ever before, and it's no surprise that
smart businesswomen are taking notice.
So why would a woman want in on the business?
Number one, profit potential.
The convenience store industry reached record-breaking sales last year, raking in $164 billion.
And the average in-store retail sales were close to a million dollars.
The success and the potential success for any convenience retailing business today is
that everybody's heading in that direction.
Convenience retailing is the business of the future.
Everyone is going to want things faster.
They're going to want quality.
They're going to want what they want, when they want it, and how they want it.
Another business attraction might be that Shell and Texaco cards are among the most
popular gasoline cards in use today, which helps drive sales.
But the petroleum trade?
Who knows anything about gasoline other than it's used to make cars run?
Not a problem for this entrepreneurial endeavor.
These companies offer a customized retail training school that reviews the basics of
service station operation.
One of the benefits of buying or leasing a gasoline or food mart service station is the
close support from the parent company.
The only thing that we need a franchise operator to bring to the table is, one, an entrepreneurial
spirit, a heart for business and finance, and a real desire to be successful.
We provide everything else.
People with a variety of prior work histories and professional experiences are earning more
and more each time we shop at their locations.
But it isn't their working knowledge of the industry that makes them a success.
It's their marketing strategy and good business practices.
The idea that this is a business that is going to do well in good and bad times.
And it's a business that you deal with people, and I love people.
For example, companies like Texaco and Shell plan to differentiate themselves from the
competition through state of the art design, a superior merchandising model, and bundled
auto services.
So don't be surprised when fueling up turns into a social event or a business meeting
at the neighborhood gas station.
A good example of a merchandising strategy for our stores is giving the customers exactly
what they want.
Having enough room to provide all of those things.
Providing specialized areas or specialized coffees, breakfast foods, sandwiches.
That's really what a good merchandising model or strategy is going to do for you.
It's going to give you exactly what the customer's been asking for.
A few qualities that a good marketing plan must have include a strategic geographical
location to make sure the business is accessible to the targeted consumers.
A promotional message tailored and delivered to targeted consumers.
And measurement of the results.
In order to be successful, marketing strategies must be flexible according to results.
Many business minded women are recognizing the continuous growth in the petroleum industry.
And more and more of them are seizing the opportunity to get involved.
And why not?
After all, every tank of gas makes their pockets a little bit fuller.
For Women in Charge, I'm Tara McNamara.
Good health should not be taken for granted.
Like everything else worthwhile, it takes hard work and discipline to maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
But we didn't come with instruction manuals, so what's best is sometimes a shot in the
dark.
Until now.
Robin Holland takes a look at health care online.
Perhaps the most important health and healing advance since the introduction of the multivitamin
is the World Wide Web.
80 million people use the internet during the first six months of last year.
A number that's expected to hit 200 million by the turn of the century.
The recent popularity of nutrient and supplement based health products has combined with the
internet to create a new and very large market.
Last year, more than 20 million Americans purchased products on the web.
Compare that to the 14 billion dollars American consumers spend on nutrients and supplements.
And you begin to get an idea of the scope of this brand new world.
By taking advantage of the surge in interest in both the internet and health products,
some far-sighted companies are setting up impressive shops on the web.
One of the most comprehensive sites is located on the web at MedicineCabinet.com.
Far from being merely a North American website, this one is creating a significant presence
with partners in Europe, particularly the UK and Germany.
Well they say that knowledge is power.
If this is true, then the internet helps shift this power from the examination room to the
desktop.
This allows web-based companies like Medicine Cabinet the opportunity to help families and
professionals become proactive with their health care needs.
Member services at MedicineCabinet.com include features like free email, personal web pages,
online calendars, chat rooms, and a weekly health magazine.
Under the supervision of its international medical advisory board, the research department
is constantly updating its archive of scientific and medical information.
An online health encyclopedia complete with cross-referencing, product recommendations,
and breaking health news is available at the click of a button.
MedicineCabinet.com is quickly becoming an authoritative source for health and wellness
products on the web.
With the recent addition of a one-on-one advice feature from experts in alternative medicine,
nutraceutical products, diets, and nutrition, the site is finding fans especially among
busy women.
We believe our target market is women, professional women, educated women, women who are concerned
about having a healthy lifestyle and providing healthy supplements for their families.
It really is a godsend.
Not only am I pressed for time with work, but buying health products from home makes
it that much more discreet.
The site carries a large selection in almost every category as well as internet exclusives.
And since online stores like this one have lower overhead than traditional retailers,
it's been reported that prices are at least 20% below list, while new products, specials,
and promotions can be up to 40% off.
The online store at MedicineCabinet.com is designed to be easy to navigate.
Customers choose from four methods of shopping by category, brand, medical condition, or
lifestyle.
Over 34,000 products are available from a range of national manufacturers, and a money-back
guarantee is meant to help even hesitant customers shop with confidence.
With 40% of internet users expected to make online purchases by the year 2002, one-stop
shopping at a single website will probably get more popular for busy people and health-conscious
ones alike.
Waiting for Women in Charge, I'm Robyn Holland.
Organizing your life is no easy task.
Find out what the experts recommend when Women in Charge continues.
Discover Paradise at Petopia.com.
The Internet Pet Paradise.
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, there was a small but useful magazine named Mothering.
Mothering grew and grew.
Moms everywhere raved and told other moms.
Now Mothering magazine is everywhere, and parenting is more natural, healthy, and fun
for everyone.
Be the best mom you can be.
Pick up Mothering magazine today at your favorite health food store or major bookstore.
Makes the perfect new mom gift.
Call 800-984-8116 to subscribe or visit the web at Mothering.com.
This year I will not freak out if I gain two pounds.
I will stop asking, do I look fat in this?
Do I look fat?
I will learn to appreciate my body.
I will not let my dress size determine my self-worth.
I have my mother's thighs.
I have to accept that.
Do these make my butt look big?
I hope not.
To me, professional etiquette is taking the same courtesy that you would give your friends
and your family and using that in your business.
Customers come back if they feel a bond, if they feel that they're important to you.
Communication is probably the most important thing in business.
You can tell the customer that you can't do anything for them, but if you tell them the
right way they're still going to be your customer.
We need to avoid bringing our personal lives into our day-to-day business.
We need to make our customers feel that they're what's important to us at the moment, not
our kids, not running the house, not all of the other things that as women we have to
take care of.
Lack of communication is not answering their calls.
They call you and you can't talk to them when they call you.
You need to take the time to return their call.
Even if you don't have the answer that they're looking for, you can still call them and tell
them, I don't have the answer quite yet.
I'll get back with you, but I'm thinking of you.
And that's what they care about.
Staying organized in today's fast-paced world is a lot more difficult than it was in the
past, but simplifying your life can still be a reality.
Experts say that recognizing your priorities and planning your time accordingly is possible.
Cheryl Harris takes a look at one strategy that's working.
Today's woman is a real-life superhero.
She's a mother, a wife, she's a business person, she lives in fast forward, she's over-scheduled,
there's stress, imbalance, and little me time.
More women than ever before are powerful players in today's business world, but they're not
only taking charge of a game where fast money, quick deals, and unlimited potential drive
the hearts of every team.
They're also running a family and raising children, which to say the least, could get
a little chaotic.
So it's no wonder that simplicity techniques like yoga and aromatherapy are some of the
hottest trends.
But after we return to reality, how do we beat the chaos of everyday life?
Franklin Covey, one of the leading time management training companies, says that recognizing
what matters most and planning your time effectively are key steps to simplified living.
Everyone knows at a really gut level what's important.
Unfortunately, we surround ourselves with cultural expectations of what is important,
and we allow those things to dictate our decisions.
And getting quiet and still long enough to go inside and say what's important to me can
bring tremendous passion back into life and joy and energy that we didn't have before.
A mission statement, probably the best description would be it is a personal document or a constitution
by which you measure your behavior.
And it's a way to help you focus on the things that are truly important.
Planning truly brings about a balance in all dimensions in our life, whether it be our
physical well-being, our mental well-being, needing to connect with relationships, or
our spiritual well-being.
Effective planning involves taking a good look at the week ahead, but it's more than
just checking off a to-do list.
It's living your mission, but that's the toughest task of all.
So Franklin Covey has some tips.
Tips for effective planning, number one, do it consistently.
Do it at the beginning of the week before it gets too hectic.
Set in that planning time an appointment or two or three for yourself during the week
for renewal activities like taking a nap, taking a walk, reading a favorite novel.
Technology can also play a helpful hand.
Try using an agenda like the Simplicity Planner that works to simplify your life, not complicate
it.
The best feature, I really think, of the Simplicity Planner is that it's simple.
It's not full of lines, it's user-friendly, it has quotes from women to inspire the type
of planning that we're trying to encourage women to do, which is plan what's important.
The idea behind using a planner and making it effective is putting into it the things
that matter most to you.
Being a player in the game of business requires that you focus on what matters most, but being
a winner takes translating those goals into an actionable plan.
For Women in Charge, I'm Sheryl Harris.
Did you know that women are at a higher risk of heart disease than men, or that breast
cancer strikes about one in 200 women over the age of 40?
And let's not forget osteoporosis, another life-threatening ailment we have to think
about.
But there is hope.
Health care is changing with our best interests at heart.
Here's Tara McNamara with more.
According to the Health Insurance Association of America Life Plans Incorporated study in
1994 and 1995, there's a 50-50 chance that each of us might require extensive care at
home or in a nursing home at some point during our retired years.
And this could easily put our families at a financial risk.
Long-term care is the greatest health expense older Americans face because Medicare, Medicaid,
and other individual health insurance policies may not cover costs.
Could you afford $45,000 a year in additional expenses?
Well, it really varies among companies.
Most companies will have to update their policies periodically to meet the demands of the marketplace
and to stay competitive.
So it's hard to say how often, but all policies are updated to reflect legislative changes.
Most refer to long-term care insurance as today's shield against financial loss resulting
from extensive care costs.
Long-term care insurance is designed to provide coverage for many of the costs associated
with a wide variety of services that fall under the scope of long-term care.
It could provide a daily benefit that can be used to pay a portion or all of the daily
costs associated with staying in a nursing home.
Or it may provide benefit to help pay the costs of home health care.
The policies offered in today's marketplace vary, but all are aimed really at providing
some type of coverage for these costs.
There are several factors which need to be taken into consideration when choosing a long-term
care policy.
Make sure the policy pays the same amount for all levels of care in a nursing home,
skilled and non-skilled.
Since most people would prefer not to go to a nursing home, it is important to find out
if the plan covers home health care and community care like assisted living or adult day care.
The policy should also be guaranteed renewable and offer a waiver of premium feature.
Remember, costs are projected to triple in 20 years, so make sure the plan provides adequate
protection.
Make sure the policy has a benefit period that meets your needs.
A lifetime benefit is best, but the policy should probably have at least a five-year
benefit period.
One of the most important features to look for in a policy is inflation protection.
Since you're purchasing this policy, most likely you're still working and therefore
you might not have a claim for the next 20 years.
If your policy has inflation protection, then you have a provision that enables your daily
benefit to rise each year and it would be more in line with the rising cost of inflation.
And beware of companies that don't ask many questions about your health history.
They could accept you now, but cancel coverage later when you need it the most because of
pre-existing conditions.
Find a policy with a deductible waiting period of 100 days or less.
And very important, find out if the policy covers pre-existing conditions like Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's disease.
Check out the financial strength of the company by asking how they're ranked by the insurance
rating services.
Choose a company with an equivalent rating of A or better.
Having to admit a loved one or even yourself into long-term care is never an easy path,
but the right financial plan and insurance policy could lighten the load.
For Women in Charge, I'm Tara McNamara.
Why creating a new you is all the rage.
Next on Women in Charge.
It's like we were always there for you.
We were there when you became an independent woman and when you found a place you could
call your own.
We were there when you finally told your mother, you were getting married.
And now that you have more dependence than independence and you need life insurance,
there's no one better to ask than the State Farm agent you've always trusted to care for
your car, your home, and you.
State Farm is there for you because State Farm is there for life.
If I am your role model, I shouldn't have to be tall and thin without any hips to make
you want to be me.
I should be able to have hips and bad food days and legs that are strong enough to pick
myself up and start over.
Because if I am your role model, you should be able to see yourself in me.
People waste tremendous amounts of time at the office, but the less time you waste, the
sooner you can get home.
And so, working women set out to interview lots of people from corporate America to find
out how they save time.
Meetings waste a tremendous amount of time.
And the worst thing is when people come late, they waste a tremendous amount of people's
time.
And what you can do is make sure that the last person who comes in the meeting, the
rule should be they have to take the minutes.
One of the things that you can do is always send out an agenda of the meeting before the
meeting starts.
And in addition to the agenda, you should state a starting time, but also an ending
time.
And that shouldn't be any more than an hour after it starts.
And don't hold a meeting at all if you don't need to decide anything.
If you're just informing people of something, send out an email or a memo and let them know
what the information is.
And if they have any questions, they can come to you individually.
Success is a product of faith, perseverance and old-fashioned hard work.
It's also been said that looking the part can catalyze the journey.
But dressing for success doesn't end with the wardrobe.
In fact, it doesn't even start there.
Tara McNamara takes a look at the role hair color plays in our lives today.
The early Egyptians used it, as did kings and queens throughout the ages.
And today, more than 50 percent of American women use it.
We're talking about one of the oldest and most popular fashion statements, hair coloring.
In the 1960s, a Clarel ad campaign helped launch the popularity of hair dye in modern
history, but it's a practice that's been around for centuries.
Why are so many of us dyeing our locks?
According to some experts, the color of our hair says a lot about our personality.
Hair color used to be something that would define you.
Blondes had more fun.
Brunettes basically were viewed as serious and redheads were fiery.
But today, it's tremendously liberating.
It's a fashion accessory.
People can define who they are inside and out by the colors that they choose.
And thanks to the increase of temporary and semi-permanent hair products, celebrating
our individuality has become as easy as changing wardrobes.
But in order to stay hip and up-to-date, more and more women are departing from the salon
and taking color into their own hands.
And new basics has made coloring hair at home as easy as brushing it.
There are 50 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. who color their hair at home.
It's a growing market overseas as well.
The coloring brush is going to encourage more people to color their hair at home because
it's easier, faster, and less messy.
The reusable brush will take most liquid or gel hair color, but it is not recommended
for use with henna.
Once you've chosen your favorite color, squirt the dye into the lined handle, then pump the
color into your bristles and then comb through your hair.
As easy as it is to use, the color brush is even easier to clean.
Just pitch the liner, then rinse and dry.
I think the lady who's already coloring her hair at home will make her what she's already
been doing at home a lot easier.
And I think the kids who like to change their hair color frequently will find it like a
big magic marker that you can just play with.
This product certainly won't put salons out of business, but it will make the home hair
colorist's job a lot easier.
The innovation is quite a breakthrough in home hair color, but you've got to know the
story behind it.
When I was 18, I went prematurely gray, and of course, being one of four daughters, my
mother became very worried that I was not going to be marriageable, and she encouraged
me to start coloring my hair.
So I became an informal expert in the conventional way of coloring hair.
The shampoo and way was something that I lived with for so many years.
It's very messy and difficult to do.
Many of us consider it a chore.
That's what motivated me to invent the new Basics coloring brush.
Whether you want a new look or just spice up your old one, the perfect color can give
you the image you want.
And the latest technological innovations make it easier than ever.
For more information, please see our website at www.womenincharge.com.
I'm Tara McNamara.
Experts say that people with pets are generally more relaxed and fulfilled than those without
them.
Unfortunately, so many of us live such busy lives that taking care of ourselves is all
the challenge we need.
But once again, the dot com world has made life a little bit easier and owning a pet
a lot more fun.
For more and more of us, the internet is where we find information, make investments, and
meet new friends.
But the latest in cyber technology now offers an exciting solution to pet care.
Just call PetSmart.com, the online pet store combined with entertaining news and vet smart
advice.
Pets are family too.
In fact, some say they're a lot like children.
So the right information is important to their health and well-being.
All the answers are a simple click away.
If you'd like to speak to a vet directly, save the trip, not to mention the bill, and
consult a VetSmart vet online at Ask the Vet.
This full service pet site also offers browsers an easy alternative to shopping for pet supplies.
Taking advantage of online services not only gives us more time to do the things we love
most, but it also makes doing them that much more fun.
For Women in Charge, I'm Sheryl Harris.
I hope you enjoyed the show.
Join us next time as we continue to celebrate the empowered spirit of women.
If you would like more information on the topics featured in today's show, visit our
website at WomenInCharge.com or email me at nancyglass at tbi.net.
Thanks for joining us.
We're Women in Charge.
That's what we are.
Women in Charge.