I’ve been interviewed by Profitable Mommy Blogging

Over the last several months, I have been honored to be interviewed quite a few times.  As a way to get to know me a little better, I thought that I would share some of these interviews with you.  I’d love your comments!

Here’s the interview…

This week for ‘Buzz a Mom’ I had the pleasure of interviewing Kelli Claypool.  In addition to being a busy wife and mom, Kelli is the co-owner of Briefcase Diva and Diva Talk Radio; just two of the places she works to empower, motivate and encourage women.

Here’s what Kelli shared with me:

I LOVE the name Briefcase Diva!  Is there a story behind the name?

Thank you! I love the name too.

My passion, for many years, has been to promote women in business. We are moms and wives and daughters and business owners and taxi drivers and classroom helpers and bathroom doctors (for the boo-boos) and lovers to our significant others and, and, and… the list goes on.  As women we are pulled in so many different directions that sometimes we need to be encouraged and motivated by other women who have been there, done that and are still doing it.

I want women to look in the mirror and see someone who is priceless. Someone who is valuable.  Someone who makes a difference in so many ways. Often times we put ourselves on hold so that we can tend to our family’s needs…and that’s okay, there’s nothing wrong with that.  But, we allow ourselves to get into a rut and before long we lose sight of who we really are.

So, BriefcaseDiva came to fruition as a means to encourage and motivate women to follow their dreams. And to arm women with tools, support, and education that will empower them to be the best that they can be.  I am inspired, on a daily basis, by the wonderful women that come through the “virtual” doors of BriefcaseDiva.  These women rock!

You define “Diva” in your blog header as “a woman who is strong in her faith, blessed by her family, and who encourages others to rise up to their greatest potential!”

Don’t you just love that definition? It just puts a whole new spin on the implications of a Diva.

Yes, I do love love it!! Can you tell us about a Diva in your life who encouraged you?

I would have to say, my grandmother (Big Mama) was an encouragement in my life. She was a strong woman who did not allow struggles to get her down.  When my grandfather passed away, she was in her 50’s and didn’t know how to drive.  Instead of allowing that to be a disability to her, she was determined that she would learn, she did, and obtained her driver’s license.  Little things like learning to write a check or balancing a checkbook was all new to her, but she put on her big-girl panties and done it.

As a Diva yourself, please share with us some ways your family blesses (supports) your online activities?

Wow, this is a loaded question because I could write a book on this topic alone.  I believe I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I have a husband that supports me and my ideas (even the silly ones).  His unconditional love & support allows me to put in long hours when I need to and he knows that I’m not “playing” at the computer.  He allows me to bounce ideas off of him and never tells me that I’m crazy…even though I think I am sometimes. He’s simply the best!

My favorite part of your definition is that a Diva encourages others.  How do you use your blog and talk show to encourage women to rise up to their greatest potential?

By being transparent. With me, what you see is what you get. I don’t claim to know it all and there are times that I may do something or say something that are not agreeable with others.  But, I’m real. With my blog and talk show, I want a fun atmosphere for women to be themselves, vent when they need to, brag when they’re excited, and give them a shoulder to lean on. I like to have guests (speakers, bloggers) who will bring something of value, whether it be in education, raising awareness, or encouragement. That’s what makes us rise to the top.

You share Briefcase Diva and Diva Talk Radio with a partner, Regina Smola.  What tips do you have for making a partnership (joint venture) with another Diva successful?

I can sum it up in two words…Like-Minds. A partner should share your vision and have an agreement that it’s okay to disagree at times. Having an open communication is also key. Always discuss things, good or bad, and work through things to build and strengthen your relationship.

Wow!  You are definitely right about having a shared vision with those we work with!  Thank you, Kelli, for taking the time to talk with me about how you are living as a Diva business woman.  I, for one, feel inspired to look for ways to encourage other women through blogging.

If you would like to know more about Briefcase Diva, Diva Talk Radio or connect with Kelli, you can follow her on Twitter at @krclaypool, @BriefcaseDiva and @DivaTalkRadio.

Lorrie Thomas of Web Marketing Therapy is our Featured Guest on 6/24/09

Lorrie Thomas is the founder of Web Marketing Therapy, a company that offers web marketing advice and solutions to Internet entrepreneurs. Many of her clients find it useful to have a guide when navigating the wilderness of the web environment; Lorrie and her “wild web woman” team are the experienced and savvy trailblazers that can turn any business’s marketing strategy in a profitable direction.

Lorrie is an amazing and intriguing woman with an extremely interesting style. As a marketer, she often thinks and writes in “sound bytes”, memorable short phrases that are readily quotable. I interviewed Lorrie recently for A Truly Outstanding Woman spotlight on BriefcaseDiva and was impressed with the quippy gems that would emerge from her responses to  my questions.

For example, when I asked what significant obstacles she had to overcome in her business, her tendency towards perfectionism was at the top of her list. But she defeated this destructive tendency with the 10-10-10 rule, which was good enough that I must include it here. In Lorrie’s words: “Does it matter in ten minutes, ten months or ten years? Then I prioritize.” Wow.

Simple, but it’s little things like this that separate failing businesses from successful companies like Web Marketing Therapy.

Other quotable quotes from Lorrie: “Women entrepreneurs succeed when they don’t settle.”  ”Giving away my expertise is what pays my bills.” “The most dangerous words are “I KNOW THAT”.

Lorrie Thomas is a family woman in addition to being a “wild web woman“, spending much of her time simply being with her loved ones, friends, and family. She lists hiking, traveling, and volunteering as a few of the many activities that she loves to do. A force around the world as well in her local area (Santa Barbara, California), Lorrie is frequently interviewed for her marketing expertise and is recognized worldwide as an expert on internet marketing.

Just like DivaTalkRadio and BriefcaseDiva, Web Marketing Therapy has a market of primarily women; however, men love her site too.  In fact, she has a “non-estrogen” member of her Wild Web Women team…we call them “Divos” here on DivaTalkRadio.

Lorrie’s charismatic and bubbly personality fits in perfectly fine with the Divas and I can’t wait to have her on our upcoming show.  You will instantly become a huge fan of Lorrie’s and the team over at Web Marketing Therapy…I promise!!

So, here’s what you need to do:

1. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 24th at 2:00 p.m. EST to listen to DivaTalkRadio LIVE.

2. Visit Web Marketing Therapy and learn all you can about Lorrie and her team.  You’ll love their site and all of the information that they pour into it just so YOU can succeed.  This is definitely a site a bookmark.

3. Post questions in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to ask Lorrie for you during the LIVE show.

4. Follow Lorrie on Twitter @LorrieThomas and @WebTherapist.  Be sure to tell her that you a looking forward to her interview on DivaTalkRadio!

This is one Diva you do not want to miss! I’ll look forward to your questions & seeing you at the show (Wednesday, June 24th at 2:00 p.m EST). Of course, if you absolutely cannot make it to the live show, replays will be available.

That’s it for now! Until next time…wear your heels well!

Frances Barkley of Tennessee T-Cakes is our Featured Guest on 5/13/09

A self-taught baker and businesswoman, Frances Barkley knows all about doing whatever it takes to guide a business to success. After using half of her divorce settlement to launch Tennessee T-cakes in 1993, Barkley now sells over one million Tennessee T-cakes per year to customers around the world. She has gone from pawning her diamond earrings (multiple times!) in order to afford extra ingredients and employee wages and from driving a cargo van across the South for four months selling T-cakes at Christmas fairs to being featured on Oprah when Tennessee T-cakes were lauded as one of the four best cakes in the country.

The Legend of the T-Cake

It was an age like no other. From the Creole townhouses of New Orleans to the grand mansions of Virginia, every southern belle knew the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. Any young woman who did not possess a closely-guarded arsenal of secret recipes was at a distinct disadvantage.

In the polite society of ante-bellum Tennessee, one young woman was renowned for both her beauty and her culinary ability. Though only seventeen, she had perfected recipes that had been in her family for generations. Tea cakes were one of her most sought-after specialties.

The Civil War changed everything. Chronic food shortages meant crucial ingredients were rarely available, and the young lady packed away her recipes. Until her brother, a confederate major, returned home with a certain young captain in tow.

It was love at first sight. The captain’s birthday arrived, and the moonstruck belle longed to bake him a cake, but did not have enough ingredients. She decided to make a small batch of her tea cakes instead.

When her captain remained in Alabama with other officers after the war, the young lady sent along a batch of her delicious tea cakes. They must have made quite an impression, because the captain returned and married the young woman shortly thereafter.

Today, over 100 years later, we still follow her recipe to make Tennessee T-Cakes!!!

I have had the opportunity of enjoying these T-Cakes and they are delicious! I really like the Truffles and the Lime…they are my favorite.  But best of all is having the opportunity to talk with Frances and getting to know her.  She is such a delightful lady and I’m proud to call her a fellow Diva!

Be sure to tune in to DivaTalkRadio on Wednesday, May 13th at 2:00 p.m. EST to hear from this Truly Outstanding Woman!

You can listen live and interact with us by going to http://DivaTalkRadio.com/live.

Well, that’s it for now.  Until next time, wear your heels well and we’ll see YOU at the show!

Diva Chat with Alaina Fredrick and Miriam Miller

Diva Talk Radio Show #1. Aired: 11/11/08

We were honored to have as our guests WordPress expert, Alaina Fredrick of Dinker and Giggles and Christian Biblical Coach, Advisor, and Speaker, Miriam Miller of God’s Workmanship.

This 2.5 hour show was full of fun and laughter. We chatted about social networking, blogging, being a woman in business, setting rates and pay policies, and so much more. We were having so much fun that we were sorry to see that our time was up!

Follow Alaina Frederick on Twitter
Follow Miriam Miller on Twitter