Business 5 Small Business Tips To Survive And Thrive During The Pandemic 2:59 AM One moment, you're standing firm and steady; the next, you're grasping at straws. What now?That must be what everyone thought when C O V I D - 19 hit. Especially small business owners. Some companies temporarily closed, and others filed for bankruptcy because of this pandemic. So, how do you pandemic-proof your business?If you're an SMB operator trying to survive or wanting to thrive during this time, here are 5 small business tips for you:Tip #1: Put everyone's safety first. If you're a brick-and-mortar business, practice safety protocols. Open the door for your customers to lessen their surface contact.Have alcohol or sanitizer ready at the entrance.Take their temperature; if convenient, have someone ask them about their symptoms.Wear face masks (and PPEs if needed) to make your customers feel safe.Disinfect the place regularly.Have your employees checked and tested for COVID-19,Monitor your team's condition. Let them take the day off or work remotely if someone feels sick.Take health precautions seriously. A decrease in productivity is better than the whole business shutting down because of the virus spread. Tip #2: Adapt to change. Be like bamboo. Strong but adaptable. If this crisis has taught retailers something, it is to be flexible. Change with the times. Use modern technology to your advantage. Let your customers find you online. "Grocery retailers have to realize online order and click-and-collect will become 30-40% of their business," Brittain Ladd, Global Business and Strategy Consultant. Here are a few new normals most businesses are adapting to keep their businesses surviving and thriving: Operate with a skeletal workforce.Offer house delivery or partner with delivery apps.Have a pick-up or take-out-only option.Adjust your space to ensure social distancing inside your store/office.Ask customers to give the exact amount.Provide online payment options or cashless transactions.Offer subscription services. A subscription box is flourishing in the health, beauty, fashion, and pet industries.Go digital. Even companies as big as Target are turning to online shopping because of COVID.Putting up an online shop is easier than you think. There are online tutorials you can check. Or you can book a consultation with a digital marketer and plan a strategy. Tip #3: Stay connected with employees. You need your team for your business to survive. Your employees need you now more than ever, so stay connected by ensuring you have a good internet connection. If you are considering switching internet service providers or researching Suddenlink internet plans, other similar packages could help you find a good fit for your needs.Thank heavens for technology. Working remotely is now possible. Establish a work-from-home option with your team. You have the advantage if you've already created a remote work system before C OVID. However, if you don't have one, don't fret. It's not rocket science. Have clear work-from-home guidelines for your employees. Here are 3 tools you can use for productivity: Slack is an excellent tool for chatting and managing simple projects.Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype for calls.Trello is a fantastic app for keeping track of your team's daily tasks.Talk about your deliverables---who should do what, and when is it due? Clear communication is the key. More than work, ask your team about how they're coping during this crisis. Offer support. You can refer them to free mental health consultations online. Your employees should feel heard. They will take care of your business if you take care of them. Tip #4: Keep your clients/customers in the loop. Like you, your customers are trying to figure out what's happening and where they should go. Be their guide. Be the constant and regular they know they can still depend on. How do you communicate with customers while everyone's staying home? According to the International Telecommunication Union, over 4 billion people use the Internet now. That's a whopping 53.6% of the global population! Make sure someone's manning your communication channels. Set up a Messenger bot for FAQs. Have someone check message inquiries.Send emails and/or post updates about new policies, process changes, store hours, or promotions.Get their feedback. Ask your customers what they need from you as a business and what changes they want to see.Use social media to share your behind-the-scenes stories with your followers and engage with them.Customers will appreciate your effort to ensure they continue to get the service or product they need, even during this crisis. Be transparent with your company's plans. A well-informed customer is a happy customer. Show them you care and that their needs come first.Don't leave your loyal customers in the dark. Trust goes a long way.Tip #5: Give back. Some companies involve their customers in giving back to the community by asking them to donate. Human Nature offers Pledge a Package wherein you can shop online for natural hygiene kits. They will then deliver these to health workers in different hospitals. Some restaurants offer their kitchen for organizations to prepare free meals. What can you offer? Remember: whatever you give comes back to you a hundredfold. Bonus Tip: Change your mindset!Now is not the time for a victim and scarcity mentality. Now is the time to think out of the box. Your business will not progress if you stay stuck as the business owner. Condition your mind, as it is your most important asset. The more you master your mind, the more you can control your business, no matter the circumstances. The resources you have at your disposal or your skills will all go to waste if you have a poverty mindset. Take this trying time as an opportunity to grow your business and yourself. When you feel lost, return to your business's mission and vision. Why did you start? What are your goals? This crisis will end soon. But your business doesn't have to. Use these tips to help your small business survive and thrive during the pandemic. Hang in there. We're in this together. 😉
Events Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress Sleeves For Your Upcoming Wedding 12:57 AM Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress Sleeves For Your Upcoming Wedding In planning an upcoming wedding, nothing could be more exciting than finding the perfect wedding dress. All eyes will be on the bride, so she must make an impression. Finding the wedding dress is often the bride's priority after getting engaged. Or the day she realized she wanted to get married.What to consider in a wedding dress?What style should you wear for your body shape? The neckline, color, length, and material? Should you buy online or at a store?Which sleeve to choose?Attention to wedding dress sleeves reentered the bridal scene after The Royal Wedding. PinterestFrom flowy flared fabric to intricate lace detailing, sleeves are no longer only used for modesty but to add a fashion statement.Almost every collection from the recent bridal fashion week placed emphasis on sleeves. There were Victorian-inspired bishop sleeves, detachable, modern illusion lace, and many others.With so many types to choose from, here is the sleeve glossary that will make your wedding dress planning a little less stressful.Straps and StraplessStrapless gowns usually feature a straight-across or sweetheart neckline. The dress ends right above the bust and has no fabric covering the shoulder. Strapless dresses are popular among brides as they come in various silhouettes and flatter on most body shapes.Spaghetti, thick, and halter straps have delicate sleeves that support the bodice without covering the entire shoulder. Spaghetti straps are popular in ball gowns, especially with an empire waist. The straps can be easily removed and embellished to create a timeless and classic look. Spaghetti straps are the right choice for brides who want a wedding dress as close to strapless as possible but with a bit of bodice support.Finding The Perfect Wedding Dress Sleeves for Your Upcoming Wedding 1. Sleeveless Sleeveless wedding dresses are often mistaken for strapless gowns when they are more similar to dresses with straps. These dresses have wide straps over the shoulder to hold them in place. They provide more coverage than simple straps and are found in gowns with Queen Anne, jewel, high-neck, asymmetric, square, and bateau necklines. 2. Short Sleeves Wedding DressShort sleeves are versatile and the classic style for summer weddings.They are similar to a short sleeve blouse or shirt that covers the shoulder and goes around the arm, providing a great range of motion. 3. Cap SleevesCap sleeves are short and hang from the shoulder with no fabric under the arm. They give your wedding dress a cutesy and feminine touch. But when paired with an illusion neckline or soft lace, they turn chic. Cap sleeves add stability and coverage even though they cover just the shoulders. 4. Off-the-shoulder Off-the-shoulder wedding dress sleeves are a romantic and ethereal choice.The sleeves surround the shoulder, exposing skin in a sexy yet chic way. 5. Puffed SleevesPuff sleeves are a short-sleeved variation of the Juliet sleeves with a puff fitted at the bottom of the sleeve. Such sleeves are generally made from lighter fabrics to create a youthful and bohemian feel. 6. Butterfly SleevesAs the name suggests, Butterfly sleeves are loose-flowing ones fitted at the top of the arm with little to no coverage underneath – the reason they flutter! Butterfly sleeves are commonly seen on bridesmaid dresses but have made their way back to the bridal world. 7. Tulip Sleeves Inspired by the look of a tulip, this short-sleeve wraps over itself at the top of the shoulder. Usually seen in bridesmaid dresses, they are an option worth considering when customizing your wedding dress to have more coverage but with a romantic touch. Keiko Lyn8. Elbow-Length, Three-quarter, and Long Sleeves The elbow- and quarter-length sleeves are perfect for weddings in all seasons. The fabrics they use create a modern and sometimes dramatic look. They also come in soft tulle to create a structured and different feel. Some churches make it mandatory for brides to wear sleeves for the ceremony. Long sleeves are usually preferred, adding a formal feel without going overboard. Whether you prefer a vintage vibe or a sexy silhouette, long sleeves are the way to go.Wedding dress sleeves: Elbow length9. Illusion/Lace Sleeves This wedding sleeve option is excellent for brides who prefer more coverage in a sexy way. The illusion lace detailing wraps around the entire arm, from the shoulder to the wrist. They are typically made of sheer fabric and are a transparent style that won't show too much bare skin. 10. Juliet Sleeves Juliet sleeves are fitted in long sleeves with a gathered puff at the shoulders. They depict the Renaissance and Shakespearean fashions and paint the bride in a romantic light. 11. Bell Sleeves One of the top trends seen in the most recent Bridal Fashion Week runways is bell sleeves. Full sleeves open at the cuff and flare toward the wrist, creating a dramatic touch to the arm. Often, bell sleeves are long-sleeved and add a fullness that is both awe-striking and flattering. 12. Bishop Sleeves The long, loose-fitting bishop sleeves are a classic style that is full at the top with a tight cuff at the wrist. This style creates a whimsical effect and is famous for relaxed-style or bohemian weddings. 13. Poet Sleeves Poet sleeves are also known as flared/bell sleeves. They paint a romantic and feminine feel while holding true to the youthful spirit. Not to mention, they look especially great when done in sheer fabrics or soft lace. Finally, Selecting a Sleeve Style Choosing the right wedding dress sleeve style that suits your body shape is essential to your wedding planning. The sleeve fabric doesn't have to be the same as the wedding dress. You can choose from a wide array of materials like tulle, lace, or netting. Whether you need the sleeves or not entirely depends on the formality of the wedding and your personal preference. Most importantly, the sleeves you choose should make you feel beautiful and confident on your big day. This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you purchase through my links at no additional cost. This helps me maintain my site. Thank you in advance!
Home Summer Guide To Decluttering Your Home: 4 Steps 10:06 PM Who's guilty of accumulating clutter in their house? Let's face it. [Spoiler alert for those who haven't seen Friends yet...]Even Monica Geller has this dirty little secret.EzgifCan a messy house affect your mood?A messy house can cause stress and anxiety.Clutters are eyesores. It's difficult to relax in a messy, untidy environment.Here's an interesting study:Women who live in cluttered homes were found to have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bodies.It’s time to simplify and declutter your home with these handy tips.Whatever method you use, decluttering your home is a very satisfying, therapeutic thing to do. Where to start decluttering this summer? Here are 4 steps to guide you and make your life easier.1. Clean out your cluttered closet. The best place to start decluttering is your closet. Why do you need to clean and organize your closet?Billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs are known for always wearing the same clothes.Choosing clothes for them is too trivial a decision that it's not worth wasting time and energy on. They want to avoid decision fatigue.A cluttered closet invites moths and other pests that could destroy your clothes.If you notice holes in your clothing or discover moths in your home, call in professionals like Diamond Pest Control (the go-to guy in London). If you've managed to dodge moth pests this summer, follow their clothes moth prevention tips to help keep it that way. Be ruthless when sorting out your clothing. Take everything out of the wardrobe and only return what you love and wear.Here’s a list of things you need to throw away:Anything that doesn’t fit anymore Clothes you never wore since you bought them (more than six months ago)Worn out underwear Workout clothes that aren’t comfortable or functional Odd socks Broken jewelry Old hangers Uncomfortable shoes Easy tips for decluttering your closet:Keep seasonal clothes (winter clothes) that you would still use in a separate box.Let go of the clothes you haven't worn in six months. You can donate or repurpose them.See if there are clothes that you can also sell online, in a bazaar, or in your garage.Use containers, baskets, or organizers that are pleasing to look at.If you can create a theme or color motif, do it. That will make organizing more fun.2. Tidy up the toys.Try abiding by the one-in, one-out rule. Whenever a new toy comes into the house, donate an old one that the kids don’t play with anymore. Donate toys to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and bless the kids with their needs.Say goodbye to:Toys that aren’t appropriate for their age anymoreBroken toys Toys that have missing pieces Toys that were gifted but that your children never play with Duplicate toysEncourage children to clean up after playing. Start them young!3. Purge the pantry.People have been taking up new hobbies while locked up inside the house. Cooking and baking are some of them.Clear out the pantry and get rid of anything you don’t need. You can donate unwanted food items to your local food bank or church. The mayor of London‘s office has a lot of info about how to support local food banks during C OVI D-1 9. Get rid of the following and make cooking a lot easier: Anything that is past its use-by date Appliances and novelty tools that were never used. Tinned food that no one eats Unused serving dishes Plastic cutlery and menus from takeaways Food that isn’t clearly labeled Old spices and herbs Use containers that can be sealed securely to organize your pantry items.4. Strip back the bathroom. The bathroom should be a place of comfort and relaxation.But we sometimes collect unnecessary items there.Make an inventory and toss out the following items: Any expired medication Old toothbrushes Old makeup, especially if you’ve had it for more than six months Samples from hotels like shampoo and lotion bottles Beauty products that are not compatible with your skinBroken hair clips and stretched-out hair bobbles Fragrances that you don’t like Dry nail varnish Old bottles of suntan lotion. Old smelly loofahs and sponges. These are breeding grounds for bacteria. Don't miss out on the summer fun just because you need to clean and organize your house. Follow this easy 4 steps guide to decluttering your home and improving the quality of your life.How about you? Do you have a declutter-your-home checklist?
For Moms Choosing Educational Toys For Your Kids 11:29 PM We all love to see our children playing. The smiles on their faces put smiles on ours. Their joy is infectious. Not to mention the fact that play is one of the ways our children learn new skills. It is great that doing something they love also helps them later in life. Many parents see this and makes sure that their kids have access to plenty of toys---specifically designed to help them to learn. For example, alphabet bricks that help them to learn their ABCs. Research shows that these types of toys speed up the learning process. So, it is worth adding a few to your child’s toy chest. You can use this short guide to help you buy the right ones. Choosing Educational Toys for Your Kids Buy toys that are designed for your child’s age group A good starting point is this website. This toy retailer has categorized the toys they sell by age group. Something which is incredibly helpful. It enables you to immediately narrow down the options. You just need to browse the appropriate category and pick out the educational toys. Shop on toy sites that categorize toys by skill set Even better, that site has also started to organize the toys that they sell into learning categories. At the time of this writing, they have separate lists for science-related, engineering, creative, and adventurer toys. Providing you with another quick way to find items that your children can play with to boost specific skill sets. Ask their teachers for recommendations The next time you go to a teacher-parent evening, ask whether there are any toys you can buy to bolster your child’s understanding of each subject they are taking. This will enable you to know, for example, whether it is worth buying your child a play chemistry set or not. Often, you will be surprised by which toys have true educational merit, and which ones are not worth the money. Listen to other parents Other parents are always a great source of information. But, there is no need to stick with those in your immediate circle. Tapping into parenting forums from across the world is an effective way to pick up all kinds of tips and tricks. Including how to support your child’s learning through play. Start with this list, or do a simple search while signed into different country versions of Google. Read the research If you have the time, it is also worth reading this. It summarizes some of the recent research that has been carried out into learning through play. However you choose your child’s educational toys, have fun doing it. Look for things you can play with together. Kids love nothing better than having fun with their parents. So, be sure to choose a few educational toys you will enjoy as well. Art and craft packages, as well as STEM toys are a great example of something you can do together and both learn while doing so. Do you have a hard time choosing educational toys for your kids? Follow these tips and enjoy your playtime with them as they learn.
How-To 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You 8:25 AM 5 Ways Spirituality Can Help You Spirituality means different to everyone. It’s considered to be the belief in something bigger than ourselves. Being spiritual may mean speaking to a psychic or medium (see mediumchat for more information). Or it could mean spending more time with nature. You can discover your spirituality by attending church or learning from Wicca Academy.Spirituality could be about worshipping God or believing in a higher power.There’s no right or wrong when it comes to spirituality. However, it has many benefits for your well-being. Here are five ways spirituality can help you.1. Spirituality improves your health. To many people, spiritualism means eating food that isn’t harmful to the body or the environment. This might mean a vegan or plant-based diet. While many enjoy sweets or junk food, understanding food better and what it does to our bodies helps us live healthier lifestyles. Being spiritual means thinking about what is going into your body and considering how it makes you feel. Food is significantly tied to emotion. Because of that, you might overindulge or deprive yourself. Spiritualism can help you on a path to a healthy relationship with food. 2. Spirituality teaches honesty and acceptance.Spiritualism teaches you to be honest and accept things as they are.Meditation, for example, focuses your mind and helps you understand who you are. You learn to forget your judgments and preconceptions. You become a more open and accepting person. Spiritual people encourage open conversations and don’t appreciate lies or deception. They want us to accept people for who they are and work hard to be better than they were the day before. This is something people should aim for. 3. Spirituality helps you stay fit.Being spiritual often means being more active. Spiritual people like engaging in activities that help their bodies and connect them more. Yoga, for example, works on balance, muscle strength, and flexibility while soothing the mind. It’s a popular exercise which builds strength and helps us to relax. Spiritualism means spending more time outdoors, swimming, hiking, or running. You learn to appreciate nature, which greatly benefits your body and fitness. 4. Spirituality improves your relationships.Being spiritual can help with your relationships. While some of us keep thoughts locked away, spiritualism encourages us to talk about our problems and give people the attention they deserve. We all want to be treated with care and respect, and spirituality values the way we speak to one another. It focuses significantly on feeling and emotion: encouraging people to vocalize their thoughts and consider how their words make others feel. All good relationships need this level of care and attention. 5. Spirituality can help manage stress.Spirituality can hugely help in reducing stress. Meditation helps switch off the mind and reduce brain chatter when we live busy lives. Those who meditate often have a better sleeping pattern and work-life balance. Spiritual people also believe in the joy of relaxing scents and crystals, making the home a colorful and sensual place. So, if you’re struggling with stress, spirituality could be the answer. How does spirituality help you?How about you? Can you say that you are a spiritual person? How does your spirituality mold you and improve your life? Share it in the comments!
Business Why You Need To Dress Smart Plus 3 Simple Tips 8:02 AM I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful but also to reassure them. Give them confidence. -Yves Saint Laurent Why is it important to dress smart? There's a psychology behind this. Do you notice that people treat you differently when you look more presentable? They seem more interested in what you have to say and cater to your needs when you look like you mean business.On the other hand, you dress sloppily, and some people look at you like, "You don't belong here. You're just wasting my time. You better leave."We Heart ItDress CodesIt's cliche, but first impressions matter, especially in business.Most companies have dress codes for their employees. Smart casual, semi-formal, or what we call dressing up.Same with some restaurants, government offices, and other establishments. You can't go in if you're wearing slippers, sleeveless shirts, or tattered jeans.Why is it important to dress well and smart?Here's the sad reality. Society judges you by your appearance first.I don't agree with this superficiality. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:2)Some people get kicked out of luxury shops because they don't look like they can afford anything there.Hey, even Oprah got refused by a Louis Vuitton store once.Gfycat1. You get respected more.Question: If you're attending a seminar about financial investment and can choose who to listen to, which of these speakers would you pick?a.) dapper man wearing an expensive suitb.) a guy in a worn out shirt and jeans who looks like he skipped showerWhether we like it or not, we are preconditioned to believe or respect those who look more decent and presentable.When you dress smart, you increase people's perceived status about you. You command respect.(Side note about women dressing for respect: As a woman, I hate it when people blame the victim for getting harassed because "she dressed like she's asking for it." 😤Sexual assault doesn't happen because of the woman's dress. It happens because there's a sick person who thinks it's okay to abuse women.It's never about what the victim is wearing. Stop victim shaming.) 2. You feel more confident.Put even the plainest woman into a beautiful dress; unconsciously, she will try to live up to it. -Lady Duff-GordonWhy is it important to dress smart for an interview? Dressing smart helps boost your confidence and makes you look competent.Dressing appropriately shows that you're a professional who cares about your appearance and you're serious about your job.Your physical appearance may reflect your inner self, but it also works the other way around. How you change your look affects how you feel inside.I don't know about you, but I feel like I can conquer anything when I'm in my high heels. 3. It shows off your personality. Your wardrobe says a lot about you. Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. -Rachel ZoeDressing up is not about wearing expensive brands. Not everyone cares about the price of your clothes, honestly.What's important is how you present yourself and how refined your look is.Here's how to dress smartly in 3 simple ways. 3 Simple Tips on How to Dress Smart1. Invest in the basics.You don't have to spend on designer brands to look smart. Just invest in the basic items. Buy tops with solid colors.Neutrals, pastels, or rainbow colors, choose whatever suits your taste. Choose what makes you happy. Just because you must dress smart doesn't mean you should look boring.There are versatile pieces like a button shirt top that can be worn as a dress or a shawl that can be converted multi-ways.What's important is that you're happy and comfortable with your ensemble.2. AccessorizeChoose accessories that are easy to mix and match with your outfit. Find statement pieces or those with a classic design.Belts, shoes, and jewelry can transform a basic-looking outfit into a remarkable ensemble.Adding a pop of color can bring a monochromatic, drab attire to life.Put importance on finding the right pair of shoes because they can make or break your outfit.3. Blazer Find a good blazer. A blazer completes the smart look.There's something about blazers that makes you look serious about business. And it helps when it gets cold in the office, too. 😉Choose the right color and the right fit.Blazers are also versatile. Wear it with your office attire, over a casual or formal dress, or layer your overall look.What's your favorite go-to piece for your smart-casual look? What do you do to dress smart? Share your tips!
