Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are.

-- Mat Lauer on NBC's Today Show, August 22

MIBN Is Making It Easier

We understand that as a business woman and mother you are continually pressed for time.

We also understand that one of the main reasons many members join Moms In Business Network is to grow their business.

Taking the time to access all your business building benefits that MIBN offers can be a challenge, and now we are providing a solution to that challenge.

Each member of MIBN will now have her own Personal Membership Assistant. Your Personal Membership Assistant will activate your marketing and business benefits for you. That's right...for you.

After you sign up for membership, your Personal Membership Assistant will call you to introduce herself and to get the information needed to activate your business building benefits within the first weeks of your sign up or renewal. You will be able to call her with questions, and she will also contact you quarterly to help you with any questions you may have.

Our focus is to always find better ways to bring value to your MIBN membership. The entire organization is absolutely committed to helping mom business owners find both balance and success, and we are very proud that the organization is going the extra mile to make sure we do that.

New Members in August were:

• Colours, Inc., Leslie Parraguirre, President
• Linda Biglow, (Phoenix, AZ)
• Myeatta Nosike, Consultant, Warm Spirit
• Theresa Terry-Elliott, co-owner, White Tiger Productions (Denver, CO)
• Elizabeth Carter, co-owner, Carter Global LLC
• Melodie Swanson, Owner, Swanson Realty Group, Inc.
• Ray Shreder, CEO, Shreder Investment Consulting Group L.L.C.
• Paula Perrino, (Las Vegas, NV)

If you would like to be on featured in the listing of new members in September then you must join MIBN today to qualify for the new member announcements for the month of October.

Content Provided by Marketing to Women by Martha Barletta

Women influence 85% of all automotive purchases, buy 61% of all home-improvement products, and make 66% of all personal computer purchase decisions.

Content provided by the SBA

Marketing is all about your clients - here's some simple tips that focus on them.

• Ask your clients to come back again.
• Ask clients what you can do the help them.
• Send birthday cards and appropriate seasonal greetings.
• Create an area on your Web site specifically for your customers.

Content provided by WebMD

5 Tips for Better Work/Life Balance

1. Figure Out What Really Matters to You in Life
2. Drop Unnecessary Activities
3. Protect Your Private Time
4. Accept Help to Balance Your Life
5. Plan Fun and Relaxation.

Content Provided by AllBusiness.com

Tips for Doing Competitive Analysis It's important to always analyze what your competition is doing and compare your quality of service and products to the competition. This is an ESSENTIAL step when starting a business.

• Be a customer.
• Find out as much as you can about the people who run competing businesses.
• Buy stock in your competitors.
• Talk to your competitors' customers.
• Use the Internet.
• Define the competitive landscape broadly.
• Assess the competition's goals.
• Be aware of the potential for new competition.
• Don't delegate the job of keeping up with competitors.
• Attend industry conferences and trade shows.li>
• Define the competitive landscape broadly.

Content Provided by Gina Robison-Billups

$5 A Day Sales Connection Strategy

The way to create marketing momentum is with daily action. One way to do this is to use a $5-a-day marketing program.

The basic strategy is to contact 10 clients, prospects or contacts each day, five days a week. You can contact them by phone, fax, e-mail, letter or postcard. You can send out press releases, sales or follow-up letters, brochures, special offers, information sheets or thank-you notes. Your cost is about 45 cents to print and mail 5-10 letters for a total of $2.25 to $4.50 Additional telephone calls or faxes cost about a quarter each for a total of $.50 to $1.25

Content provided by the SBA

Getting government and private contracts can bring in millions of dollars for your business. This tip will give you great weekly tips to resources and information on how minority procurement works.

Visit BusinessMatchmaking.com. They hold several programs a year where they match buyers with sellers. It's easy to register and get in on the action.