I think it was Andrew Carnegie who provided the timeless business advice: Always carry a lighter and a pen, someone will always need either (or both).  As the face of business has changed, so have the essential items that one needs to have on-hand to ensure their personalsuccess. Here are the five most important:

1. A smart phone. You may have resisted the pressure to convert to a web-enabled, email-integrated device up to this point. You may feel you don’t need to be constantly tethered to technology (or the people using it). But in a society where decisions, connections and sales are made at lightning speed, being able to interact in real-time could easily be the difference between success and failure. Plus, what’s the beauty of being an entrepreneur if you can’t work on the beach on a Monday every now and then?  And while we’re on the subject, an iPad (or other tablet), while not necessarily essential, is really, really cool. See these 5 iPad apps for entrepreneurs.

2. Your contact information. Second only to the smart phone, a business card is the most important tool you can carry with you. Making sure that your information gets into the right hands, and that it is clear what you do (and easy to read) is paramount. Which leads me to the next essential tool:

3. A business card holder, or special pocket in your bag, or other very accessible place to store your cards, while also protecting them from frayed edges, fingerprint smudges, and creases. Not only do you want to present your clean, unfolded card with confidence (you wouldn’t wear a stained shirt to an interview, would you?) but you also want to avoid fumbling blindly for it. How often have you had the opportunity to give someone your card, and spent time searching for it, while they impatiently tap their foot or even worse, have to dash off to another commitment?

4. A fast, reliable home internet connection. This is a no-brainer. Again, business (and sales) happen at warp-speed. Your time is your most valuable asset, so why would you waste it waiting for files to download, or for emails to send, or for web pages to load? The time it takes you to post a link to an item in your portal could be the difference between someone buying something through your portal, and finding it elsewhere online.

5. A professional-looking outfit. Obviously, more than one would be great, but this is just the “essentials.” Whether you choose a suit, slacks and a blouse or nice shirt, a dress, or dressing up a pair of jeans with a shirt that conveys professionalism, your clothing will be judged and is your first impression. Too stiff and you could communicate that you are trying too hard to impress, and your message might slip through the cracks; while appearing too relaxed could mean your message won’t be taken seriously.  No matter what you wear, wear it with confidence, because the final essential tool for success is:

Your smile. As silly as it sounds, your personality is your biggest sales tool, and if you are personable and friendly, trustworthy and respectful, your message and your pitch will both be well-received. So grab these five (really, six) things, and take your next meeting by storm!

Disruption of our natural circadian rhythm, the internal biological clock that numerous epidemiological studies suggest we all have programmed into us to a considerable degree, may lead to increased risk of diabetes and obesity. In an attempt to reach beyond these epidemiological accounts, a newer study actually examined humans in a controlled lab environment over a prolonged period, and systematically altered the timing of sleep, mimicking modern day disruptions like shift work or recurrent jet lag.

The study was conducted using 21 healthy participants, who were housed  in a completely controlled environment for nearly six weeks. The researchers controlled how many hours of sleep participants got, when they slept, their daily activities and diet. Participants started with getting optimal sleep—approximately 10 hours per night—in order to establish an effective baseline.

This was followed by three weeks of 5.6 hours of sleep per 24-hour period, and with sleep occurring at all times of day and night. Consequently, there were many days when participants were trying to “force” sleep at unusual times within their internal circadian cycle. The study closed with the participants having nine nights of recovery sleep at their usual time.

Results indicated that prolonged sleep restriction combined with simultaneous circadian disruption decreased the participants’ resting metabolic rate. Moreover, during this period, glucose concentrations in the blood increased after meals as a result of decreased insulin secretion by the pancreas. According to the researchers, an altered resting metabolic rate such as this could translate into a yearly weight gain of over 10 pounds if diet and activity remain unchanged, while consistently increased glucose concentration and poor insulin secretion could lead to an increased risk for diabetes.

“We think these results support the findings from studies showing that, in people with a pre-diabetic condition, shift workers who stay awake at night are much more likely to progress to full-on diabetes than day workers,” said Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and lead study author. “The evidence is clear that getting enough sleep is important for health, and that sleep should be at night for best effect.”

Those of us who have trouble getting to sleep or getting enough sleep are advised to begin unwinding well in advance of our planned bedtime–turning off televisions, computers and other electronic stimuli in exchange for a little light reading, preferably in a reclined position. If sleep is especially problematic, a naturally-based supplement might help to reassert the circadian rhythm we’re all born with.

In this month’s issue of Powerline, I had the chance to write about some surprising statistics regarding motherhood andentrepreneurship. Just in case you missed this article in print, check it out here on the ma Blog! Don’t forget to discover more informative articles in the digital version of the Powerline Magazine.

The face of the working mother is changing. In the 1970s, only 38 percent of mothers were a part of the work force. Now, 74 percent of moms have joined the working world. Where many women in this demographic once turned to office jobs to earn an income, these days more and more mothers are discovering the advantages of starting their own home-based businesses.

The U.S. Census has estimated that there are more than 15 million female business owners in this country alone. Over 44 percent of self-employed women have children under the age of 18. Women are now starting up small businesses at nearly twice the rate of men. Many of these businesses are home based, and allow for a more flexible schedule that can be molded around the often-hectic lifestyle of a busy mom.

Entrepreneurism is proving to be an outstanding opportunity for mothers to make their own schedules and meet their financial goals. It’s one of the most effective ways for a woman – mother or not – to improve her financial state.

Working moms are already on-the-go experts. They are one of the highest demographics for cell phone spending in the U.S. They are already using mobile shopping applications to cut down on time away from their families and businesses. With their social networks – both online and in person – the working mother demographic is a combination of a powerful shopping network and an incredible business opportunity.

The traditional work-life balance that requires standardized time in an office, away from family, doesn’t have the same appeal as it used to. Not only does running a business from home increase time spent with family members, it also cuts costs for child care. Many mothers have found that it’s easier to arrange for in-home care for their children, whether it’s through a spouse, family member, or childcare professional, during afternoon or evening hours — times that are perfect for holding business meetings or networking with individuals who work daytime jobs.

Entrepreneurism is allowing moms across the U.S. to combine the advantages of being stay-at-home mothers with the income and growth potential of being a business owner. It is an opportunity that allows mothers to maximize their earning potential without limiting their ability to spend time with their families. With the growth of mobile technology and online shopping, there are more opportunities for moms to make their own schedules and grow their own businesses than ever before.

New York, NY- March 26, 2012- Recording artist, songwriter, rapper and vocalist Justina debuts the new video for her single, Bubble Gum, this week onIdolator.com (one of the leading independent sites for pop music fans). The Bubble Gum single is off her forthcoming mix tape, Route 80, which is dropping this spring. The Route 80 mix tape is produced by multi-platinum producers Shy Boogs, JR Rotem & Mr Lee, with a feature from Atlantic Recording artist Maino. Her video debuts just weeks after the 2012 Vans Warped Tour announced Justina as a performer on the tour.

Bubble Gum showcases her eclectic, Hip Hop infused, edgy style, which is combined with her playful, pop sensibility and her distinctive, raspy vocal tone. Her sound has been compared to Nikki Minaj, Kesha and a “Hip Hop Joan Jett”. She cites a diverse range of inspirations including Lil Kim, Tupac, The Beatles, and her father who is a vocalist and a musician.

Justina’s original music has been featured on popular television shows such as NBC’s Steven Spielberg directed Smash, VH1′s Mobwives, MTV’s True Life, and Oxygen Network’s Running Russel Simmons. Justina will be appearing on a TV reality show with super producer, JR Rotem, as she works with him in the studio on her album. Justina’s Hard To The Body video appeared on Spike TV’s Top 100 YouTube Videos.

She has appeared on the back of Cheerios’ boxes across the country by winning a songwriting contest focused on bringing about change for those less fortunate. She also donates her time to the non-profit organization Pinups for Pitbulls, and appears in their 2011 calendar. Pinup for Pitbulls focuses on Pit Bull rescue and community education.

Justina is currently touring the country with Conquer Entertainment, the music division of Shop.com, promoting her project and upcoming Shop.com product release. Shop.com is a shopping comparison website that offers the most comprehensive shopping experience on the web.

For more updates on go to www.JustinaMusic.com and follow her onwww.twitter.com/JustinaMusic and www.facebook.com/JustinaMusik.

www.justinamusic.com

www.twitter.com/justinamusic
www.facebook.com/JustinaMusik
www.youtube.com/justmusic7
www.myspace.com/justinaplanet

It’s been an eventful week for the Market America andSHOP.COM social media team. After several weeks of planning, design meetings and work with our creative teams, we’re proud to announce Facebook Timeline is now live on all of our brand Facebook pages.

Launched today, the new look gives our team the opportunity to be more creative in telling the Market America story, showing our company and our brands over the years. Over the course of the next week, we’ll be highlighting each of the new Facebook Timelines here on the MA Blog (24 Facebook pages in all) and give you a sneak peak at the process behind designing these pages and how they can help you with your business.

Earlier we had the chance to catch up with Interactive Designer, Joe DaSilva. Joe and the entire interactive design team are responsible for creating the design behind Market America and SHOP.COM’s web based information – including our social media channels like Facebook and Twitter. We asked him about the design process, what goes into building a site like this, and what inspired his design.

Interviewer: What do you find most exciting with new design of the SHOP.COM FB page?

Joe: I think the new Timeline and cover photo elements that Facebook has created are great opportunities to tell the ever evolving story for SHOP.COM and Market America. Having so much space to work with is really exciting for me as a visual designer.

Interviewer: What was your inspiration behind the design of the page?

Joe: Actually, the day before I started work on this design my wife and I where shopping for a birthday gift for a friend of ours. We were sitting on our living room floor with our laptop browsing SHOP.COM, much like the couple in the cover photo, having a great time. That fun little moment in my personal life made for great inspiration the next day.

Interviewer: What’s your favorite part about designing media for SHOP.COM?

Joe: Every time we work on a new project for SHOP.COM our number one priority is to create the most engaging and intuitive user experience possible for our customers. With some really amazing stuff coming down the pipe soon, I get really excited thinking about the positive impact it’s going to have for our users.

Interviewer: Can you give us a tip or tool that you think is mandatory for creating good design?

Joe: Don’t let design get in the way of effective communication.

What’s your favorite aspect of the new SHOP.COM Facebook page?

Be sure to LIKE SHOP.COM on Facebook! www.facebook.com/Shop.com

As I pulled into the gas station this morning on the way to the Market America corporate office, I experienced a bit of sticker shock. “$3.85!” I proclaimed, “This is ridiculous.” I’m only 32, and even I remember a day when you could fill up your car for thirty bucks – but it seems like today you need a small business loan every time you fill up at the pump. In some parts of the country, gas prices are well above $4 a gallon, and with summer fast approaching it seems there’s no break in sight.

I’ve been looking for ways to try to save money, and have tried to stay at home whenever possible. Shopping online is a great way to do this, because you don’t have to waste gas looking for a great deal! You can even shop for everyday products on great websites like Alice.com, all from the convenience of your couch. Take that MPG!

In today’s world, as international tensions and a host of other factors combine to form the seemingly perfect storm of high gas prices, one has to be truly thankful for online shopping! (Now if I could only shop for gas on Shop.com!)

Struggling to find ways to cope with rising gas prices? Leave us a comment, and tell us how you are cutting costs!

Getting started with social media and new technological tools in your UnFranchise® business can certainly be a challenge, but once you find your groove the benefits will start to roll in. Just after Friday’s release, I treated myself to a brand new iPad!

While it was fun and exciting to play around with all the bells and whistles, I realized quickly that without the right tools (a.k.a. the right Apps), I would be lost – and the iPad would simply be a fun toy.

For entrepreneurs, the right apps for your mobile devices can mean the difference between gaining the edge you need to succeed, and feeling lost in a sea of confusing options.

Get ahead of the game with our top five picks of the best Apps for entrepreneurs today:

Evernote

Need to remember nearly, everything? Evernote is the app for the job! If you utilize an iPad for business, it’s a great tool for taking notes – the Evernote app will even help you stay organized while keeping all your notes in one central location. Use this app for jotting down contact info, the location of a lunch date or even product information. Best part: it’s totally free!

Harvard Business Review Tips

Want to stay savvy and keep your business sense sharp? Use this great app to catch up on the latest tips and trends happening in the world of business today! You’ll gain edgy management info, and action packed ideas in a quick read, right at your fingertips! Greatest feature? It’s free!

Splashtop Remote Desktop

Considered one of the best apps for business, and used by those who need quick access to important files and information, the Splashtop Remote Desktop allows for a remote connection from your iPad to your computer. Having the ability to open programs and files gives you access to your computer as though it were always at your fingertips. And, just .99cents!

Ma® Mobile

Do you want to be the best UnFranchise Owner or Shop Consultant you can be? The ma Mobile app is just what you need to have ma right at your fingertips, wherever you may be! Use the barcode scanner to compare prices, find product information and even get notifications of custom deals with the digital coupon book! The ultimate bonus – it’s free!

Dropbox

An incredibly simple and easy way to access all you’re your important computer files remotely, the Dropbox app gives you the feeling that you are sitting right in front of your computer, no matter where you are. Dropbox makes accessing data a simple task, while also allowing you to store all your files in one place. Best part? You got that right, it’s free!

These are just a few of the incredible apps out there that can help you take care of business. If you know of a great app for entrepreneurs, feel free to share it with us by leaving a comment!

As much as we may not want to admit it, finding a balance between work, family and daily commitments can often be an uphill climb. For JR and myself, building a very successful business together has certainly had its ups and downs (more ups of course), but ultimately it means we often have to make a conscious effort to put work aside and focus on our marriage and family. For most of us, life just has a funny way of sneaking up — we get so busy with our careers and even busier managing multiple commitments, that making time for our relationship always seems last.

Over the years, JR and I have worked incredibly hard to build a successful business — after all, Market America and SHOP.COM were not born overnight, and most likely the same is true for you. Starting with nothing but a big dream, we worked together to turn that dream into a thriving enterprise. Working together and living together means, well, a lot of time together, and it isn’t always easy.

Growing together in business and personal life isn’t for the faint of heart, it takes some work, but when you have the love and support you need, you can both find success independently or together. Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can find a work/life balance that will help make your dreams a reality. Grow personally and professionally together with these six tips I have picked up over the years:

1. Always remember that you are a team. Whether you and your spouse work together in business or have independent careers, keep in mind that finding success is not a competition. When you love someone, his or her personal achievements are thrilling for you too — share in that excitement! Your ability to operate as a team is critical for working together to make day-to-day schedules work, to ultimately enjoy free time as a family.

2. Compromise. Couples don’t always get along 100 percent of the time, and that is OK. If you work together as we do, the lines between work and personal life become easily blurred. We are independent thinkers with big ideas, and we don’t always see eye-to-eye. The important thing is to remember that our different visions and concepts make us unique individuals, and have contributed to both our personal and business successes. Two heads are always better than one; we often must work together to find the solution that lies in the middle.

3. Push each other. Don’t be afraid to help each other set lofty, somewhat dreamy goals. After all, you will never be bigger than your dreams, so dream big! Inevitably, there will be tough times, and you need each other for the nudge and the push required to keep trucking along and chasing your career and life goals, or simply be the one who reaches out when they need a big hug. When you see your spouse growing tired or frustrated, go ahead, be the cheerleader he or she may need to pick back up and find the energy to go after their dreams.

4. Forget perfection. Rolling with the ups and downs, and accepting your spouse through the good and the bad, is simply part of spending a lifetime together. When I am tired, overwhelmed, it’s easy to forget the feelings of those closest to me and sometimes even their best intentions don’t meet my expectations. Remind yourself: No one is perfect, even on his or her best day.

5. Find time together. Finding time to spend together is obviously easier said than done, but honestly, taking the time to truly connect is essential. Even when JR and I are on the road, busy with events and other work-related meetings, we take five minutes to focus on each other.

6. Find time apart. Maintaining your own individuality, identity and personal relationships is essential for feeling like you are leaving your own footprint on the world. Making time to do the things you love offers a chance for self-reflection, and that’s often where the best ideas are born! Don’t feel guilty about sneaking off to grab a quick latte or for an after-work pedicure — everyone needs a few minutes alone, and ultimately the time unplugged will make you a better partner.

Growing your business and personal life together is a challenge that will forever require attention and work, but will also deliver rewarding feelings and memories, while undoubtedly filling your heart with love. Taking the time to nurture each other, both personally and professionally, is crucial in maintaining the team spirit necessary to build a life together. Don’t be afraid to believe in yourself, each other and your relationship — together and with love, nothing can stop you.

The majority of successful entrepreneurs start at the bottom, just like the rest of us. Take Andy Webb for instance, who hit Director with Market America, earning $18,000-$24,999 in four weeks*. But he didn’t start there. In fact, this entrepreneur’s path began with years of not finding success using the wrong systems, along with some financial setbacks, until Frank Keefer introduced him to a business model that blew him away.

Learn how this super-dad of seven is able to earn a significant ongoing income while balancing the things he enjoys most in life, like spending time with family.

*The examples of income shown for this Independent Distributor is not intended to be representative of earnings of any specific class of Market America Independent Distributor, nor are they intended to represent that any given Independent Distributor will earn income in that amount.  Rather, the income figures testify to the results which have been accomplished by an Independent Distributor who has devoted time, talent, hard work, and a willingness to follow the UnFranchise® proven business plan in building their Market America businesses.  The success of any Market America Independent Distributor will depend upon the amount of hard work, talent and dedication which he or she devotes to the building of his or her Market America business.