You have a fantastic idea, and it's begging to be turned into a successful business. Perhaps it's a blog or an online store that has you itching to become a business owner. Your daydream always ends with a nice pile of fast cash landing in the bank. Nice thought, but I encourage you to walk on the side of reason for just a bit. The reality is that seventy percent of new businesses fail in the first two years. Furthermore, even if they make it past the 2-year mark, only a small percentage ever see those dreamy piles of cash in the above photo.

Have you ever sang the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song to your children? It's so funny how often we teach our children to be aware of their little bodies but ignore our own. It wouldn't be a big deal except for the fact that, without awareness, we can end up in some sticky health situations. Just as we make movement and learning fun for kids, try injecting some energy into taking care of yourself. You don't have to get up in the morning and have a sing and a dance but it wouldn't hurt to do a weekly body scan for optimal wellness. Your Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes will thank you!

At around age 33, or so, a precarious gaze in the mirror might turn into a critique-fest. "OMG, I have a wrinkle!" or "Why doesn't my skin look as radiant as it used to?" might slip out. Maybe a friend or colleague says you look a little tired, even though we feel well rested. Your first gray hairs might appear. And those fine lines you noticed in the mirror can be seen in photos. It’s a strange feeling, at first, to see early signs of aging, knowing that it's just the beginning.

So you want to grow your business but are lacking the funds? I hear you. This is one of the most common challenges that new entrepreneurs have. In order to expand your business, you must secure funding and be creative with that money. I've started several businesses with virtually no money and completely understand the ultimate struggles that accompany such a path. So, let's explore some ideas to bankroll your business venture!

Failure is not something that many business owners like to think about, let alone discuss. That said, it’s something that all business owners should take seriously. Simple awareness and mental preparation for such an event clarify the importance and value of keeping your business above water. Avoidance only pushes planning and preparation away. These "just in case" plans might just be the very things that save a struggling business. Studies have shown that 50 percent of all new businesses fail within the first year - that’s a high statistic, isn’t it? With that in mind, as a business owner, it’s important to be aware of the most common causes of business failure and how to avoid them

Small businesses only become big businesses when they have the best employees. Okay, so there is more to it than that, but good employees make a massive difference. Think about it for a second. They are the people who do most of the work, so the company plows forward without a hitch. You might be the boss, but you need quality performers if you want to succeed. For that reason, you only want the best. However, there is a lot of competition, plus finding the right ‘fit’ isn’t always easy. Here are 4 savvy business tips for getting the most talented people on your team!

Building a highly reputable and successful career is hard work. It demands years of study, dedication, and consistent effort. However, even with all of this preparation and focused effort, you could lose everything, or close to it, with just one serious health issue. I know this because it happened to me. I lost a well-paying job in a field I loved because I was sick.

Entrepreneurship can be one of the most exciting and rewarding career moves a woman can make. However, it can also be one of the most challenging things to pull off successfully. There are some savvy things you must get under your belt if you want to make a name for yourself in business. Having the right tools, resources, and contacts is a must.

As women with many responsibilities, it's important to pay attention to our bodies and minds for potential health warning signs. The problem is, you may not recognize something as "bad" if it is a common symptom of any number of normal things like getting older, poor diet, or even drinking too much on occasion. A solid clue that something besides "normal life" may be going on in your body is that it doesn't go away. Here are 3 things you may have on occasion, but you should seek medical advice if any of them become persistent.

In this busy and polluted world, it’s getting harder and harder to take care of ourselves. It's not just the flu or common ailments to worry about. Chronic, autoimmune diseases like Lupus, MS, RA, and Fibromyalgia are floating to the top of the list of health enemies to look out for. If you suffer from a chronic or long term illness like asthma or arthritis, it’s important to make sure you’re as healthy as possible. Do all that you can to bring balance to your body, mind, and spirit. Here are some of my top ways to be healthier with a chronic illness.

Everybody has bad habits. Some people enjoy a cigarette after lunch. Others keep a messy desk. And some need drugs or alcohol to get through the day. While some bad habits can annoy your coworkers, others can isolate you from your friends and family and even destroy your mental health. Some can kill you. These are the type of habits you want to get rid of as soon as possible: the addictions. If you think you might have a problem with any of these, it’s time to make some changes. Here are 3 things you can do to help end destructive bad habits for good.

There is no reason you can't enjoy fitness on a tight budget. I know this because I've done it. Using money as an excuse to not take care of your body is simply not good enough. If you want that tight, strong body to stick around, you have to find a way to do the work. Hear me out: fitness doesn’t have to cost you a chunk of cash. Here are my top 4 fun ways to get fit on a tight budget.

Living with or knowing someone with a drug or alcohol problem is not an easy experience. Addicts suffer but, unfortunately, their erratic behavior can create confusion, feelings of rejection, and despair in those around them. This is why successful recovery often includes not only the addict but his or her family as well. Because the odds of overcoming any addiction are greater with support, it's important to educate yourself about the process. You will come up against many challenges that will strain your relationship with the addict. Don't worry, though, you can help an addict and still stay close.

Professionalism isn't only about your image but how people view you as a person and businesswoman. You want your colleagues, clients, boss, co-workers and followers to know that you're honest, reliable, hardworking, and trustworthy. While it's easier to cultivate a new image with a fresh set of onlookers, it's a little trickier to start over with people you know. However, it's not impossible. Check out my top 8 musts to cultivate your best professional image and reputation.

It has been scientifically proven that when you are focused on happy, positive thoughts you feel and perform better. When you’re happy, you feel positive and as though you can overcome anything. And, though, positive thinking is not all you need to have to change your life, it certainly is a good place to start.