Business Growth

Written to inspire, motivate, and share ideas for building your business, these are Camille’s “lessons learned.”

Posted by Camille Leon with Judy Bazis of Illuminate Festivals

If you are in the wellness world, there is a good chance that you have (or are considering) signing up to exhibit in a booth showcasing your products and services at a wellness fair. Perhaps you have learned the hard way that some events are better for your business than others…

This is the second (and last) in a series to help you make the most of your investment.

First, it is good to recognize that you are investing both money and time. Even if the booth is given to you for free, it will take time to prepare, be there and follow up with new leads. All three of these activities are key to making the most of your booth at this event!

Choosing Your Events

Posted by Camille Leon with Judy Bazis of Illuminate Festivals

If you are in the wellness world, there is a good chance that you showcasing your products and services at a wellness fair is something you have done already (or want to do soon). Perhaps you have learned the hard way that not all events are created equal…

This is the first in a two-part series to help you make the most of your investment.

First, recognize that you are investing both money and time. Even if the booth is given to you for free, it will take time to plan, prepare, be there and follow up with new leads. You may need to hire a booth helper, create or purchase inventory, and interview with the event promoter. Our next article will cover ways to make the most of the event, whatever the results on the day you show up.

Money Matters

People are often asking me how health and money are related... They feel confused by how we’ve connected “holistic” to a chamber of commerce. This is such a long list that it’s easy to spiral down a rabbit hole. Still, the beginning is fairly simple.

The money in your bank account is a factor in both health and business decisions:

where you shop for food and what you purchase;
whether you can get weekly massages (or acupuncture or chiropractic) or only once a quarter or only when you feel desperate for it;
whether your workout routine is in place because you time available for exercise;
hiring consultants and/or staff to handle the work involved, and expand your capacity to help even more people;
taking time off for self-care and vacations; and so on and so forth.

3 Tips for Moving Forward

What are you waiting for? It is easy to come up with reasons to wait (or procrastinate).

These three tips make it easy to take action and move forward, creating the results that lead to the rewards that you really want.

Before you start, what is the project or idea that you have gotten stuck with? Is it your website, a social media platform, headshots or something else?

Original and Unexpected Ideas

Has anyone ever given you a wild and crazy idea that, when you first heard it, you thought… No way?!

Then, you started considering it, opening up to new perspectives and possibilities, even unusual ones?

When you are interested in transformation – for yourself, your clients, your community – sometimes, it’s the unexpected that gets attention. Attracting attention is the first step to meeting new people which leads to a larger community and more impact in the world.

Keeping Relationships Real

In the virtual world, it can sometimes seem like relationships are disconnected. Scattered. Impersonal.

One post could reach thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people.

To keep things real and personal, it's good to maintain a personal touch with those you can. Maybe you can’t do that with everyone, especially when your tribe is at a certain size; you can certainly do it with some.

Does Controversy Help or Hurt?

What do you think about using controversial topics and opinions in your marketing?

I just read the “Non Sequitor” comic strip in Sunday’s LA Times and it got my attention to see that Joe Rogan has a HUGE contract with Spotify.

Whether you agree or disagree with him, the question about using controversy to sell your product and/or service is relevant.

Group Savings for You

One of the big benefits of joining any organization, cause or movement, is the power of the group coming together in a coordinated way.

First and foremost, large groups can offer better discounts with more members and more members can negotiate bigger discounts.

BNDL offers Holistic Chamber members, and friends, significant savings on office supplies and services. BNDL is an easy to use online platform that allows businesses of any size to take advantage of the low prices previously only made available to corporations.

By using referral code XHCOC222 at https://bndlbuyapp.net/my-account/, you and your business can save up to 70% with retailers like Staples on your everyday spending.

Networking Today!

No doubt about it, we’re living in a new world… especially when it comes to networking.

We used to be able to just go to a once monthly meeting of our local chapter of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (or any other of a handful of networking groups) to connect with people.

Now, we are using social media and Zoom for the majority of our networking opportunities. Ironically, while we are connected to more people all over, some of us feel less connected overall.

What works for networking today? While most of your networking may be online these days, the keys are the same for BOTH online AND in-person networking.

Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, there are some core elements to keep in mind.

How do we help more people to know about, and understand, the holistic approach to health care?

On the surface, this question seems quite specific… At the same time, it can be applied to any business, of any size. How do you help more people to know about, and understand the value of, your product/service?

The answer is all about awareness and education. In business terms, marketing. Remember that people who have never tried your product/service may take longer to make a decision. They may want to get a stronger sense of how it works while they are deciding. Marketing tools can help them along the way.

Marketing is a HUGE topic so we will focus here on a few ideas that can help you reach more people with your products and/or services. We use two primary approaches for increasing awareness, education and access for the general public to holistic approaches:

Create Connection and Conversation with Questions

When connecting with others, it’s tempting to show up with what we have to say about out purpose and passion, our products and services… And the most successful people know that asking questions and listening to answers creates long-term connections for more win-win relationships.

Some good questions to use, that work with people you’ve known for years as well as those you are just meeting:

What are your goals?
What keeps you up at night?
What are your priorities now?
What would help you most right now?
Do you have any new projects in the works?

Communication is the Game

How do you deliver your message?

What words and attitude do you use to tell people about your products and/or services?

There are so many ways to go! Consider Oprah, Chopra, Gary Vee, Alicia Keys and all of the other voices in the world. Every one of them as a different approach to talking about their mission, vision and whatever else is going on.

Here are some questions that can help you choose the best style and strategy for you:

The Power of Partnerships

How do you leverage the power of connections and collaborations to expand your reach as a holistic professional or business owner?

Whether you own your own business or work for someone else, partnerships are a powerful way to expand your reach to new customers, clients or patients AND power up your presence in the marketplace.

What would the world, and our businesses, be like if we viewed everyone as a partner? When we view everyone as a partner, we are more likely to treat people with respect and consideration. From there, we are well-positioned to create partnerships that go beyond the status quo.

How One Healer Stopped Hustling and Learned to Love the Flow

As is often the case, these healers-to-be experienced illnesses for which western medical care had few solutions, and so their healing journeys began in earnest.

They soon found an abundance of ancient remedies, both in nature and in cutting-edge technology using the eternal quantum laws of physics that went deep into the emotional heart of the dis-ease, rooting it out completely over time.

Because of that whole mind|body|spirit approach, they were cured, one might say, across many levels and dimensions. They then felt empowered to bring this work to others to fulfill their purpose.

But one of these souls chose to hold the energy of anger against the “establishment,” railing against power and profit-driven protocols. This practitioner was clever and well-versed in all the ways the matrix holds onto its power. This warrior, of sorts, resisted these forces, which only served to prop up that which they railed against, actually giving it more life – “what you resist, persists.”

Credibility Boosters

When you are selling something, be it a product or service, there are a few hallmarks of trustworthiness (i.e. credibility) that make it easier for consumers to choose you and your product/service over others. In this era where people are often going online first, what are the credibility boosters that can help them choose you over the other providers offering the same thing?

Keep in mind that even if one customer chooses another “store,” there is plenty of business for everyone! It’s not just that the “Law of Abundance” says so… Just look at Target and Tiffany. Both sell jewelry and both are successful. They are trusted to deliver on what they sell at the price for which they sell it. Likewise, there are plenty of customers for Whole Foods AND Sprouts AND Trader Joe’s. All three grocery chains are considered reputable in the healthy grocery industry.

Now, if you are in a different type of industry, establishing and enhancing your credibility in order to attract more customers, clients and patients is a matter of a few factors. Consider these:

Filters and Perspective

What filters are you looking through? What perspectives are influencing you? Are you making decisions based on a past that no longer applies?

Whether you are looking at health- or business-related decisions, your perspective can make a world of difference.

The most common filters are those of past, present and future.

PAST: It can be easy to make default decisions based on your past. Either you keep repeating yourself or you take the opposite approach, always changing strategies because it didn’t work before and you don’t want a repeat. In general, if you want new results, it is best to do something new. Still, there are times when you are in such a different position now that it is worth trying again. The previous time you may have been ahead of schedule. This time you are really ready.

Thanks and Gifting Season

As I write this, Thanksgiving in the U.S. is coming up soon and the December gifting holidays are right after that.

This is such a lovely positioning of holidays as it takes us from thinking about who we are thankful for right into gifting them with something special. My only challenge is that I am thankful for far more people than I can give gifts to! So I’m always on the lookout for ways to give and gift throughout the year. Still, there are some that I cant to send gifts to in December.

Holiday Season ~ Two Ways

It’s beginning to feel a lot like the holidays ~ Jack Frost is nipping at my toes!

Let’s face it… Holidays can be stressful. Fun, for sure, and stressful, too.

Time gets crunched.
Money gets tight.
Emotional baggage often arrives along with your relatives coming to visit. Or they’re not coming and the angst associated with that is barely better than the alternative.

Advance planning helps!

Wooing the Decision Maker at Your Next Speaking Gig or Podcast Requires a Little Romance!

Today, especially now that virtual speaking has taken on such a critical role in a leader’s ability to connect with new clients, getting access to speaking opportunities is job 1 for many of us—whether that may be on meetings, conferences, podcasts, radio shows or virtual summits.

With in-room networking on the back burner in most places or full in-person stage appearances still limited, you really must take advantage of “borderless speaking.’

But you can’t simply just tell someone to give you their stage or on-air time. It takes a little “romance,” to make them WANT you!

I’m not suggesting that you send expensive gifts, candies or flowers; you just need to know how to speak to them, what to say and when to say it.

How to Achieve Maximum Client Attraction from Your Podcasts & Radio Interviews

It’s great when you get booked on a podcast or radio show, but it’s even better if you can convert from the virtual stage. Getting people to either opt in to your free offer or accept your paid offer from a podcast is the golden ticket.

Once you’ve established your credibility; related a story that begins the process of getting people to know, like and trust you; offered great value; and given people action steps they can take, now is the time to provide them a chance to get even more from you.

The following are the key elements you must have in place to ensure that your appearance achieves the maximum client attraction!

Self Care is Health Care for Your Body, Mind and Business

You have probably heard that selfcare is important. You may even tell your family and friends or clients/customers/patients

how important it is. The question is, how often do you choose to take care of yourself?

Why is selfcare such a big deal? First and foremost, because it provides the energy to do what you do! Whether it is caring for family or clients, you are at the core of your relationships and taking care of yourself allows you to help those that you care about. When you are sick or “less than,” how can you help others?

In addition, stress is widely documented as a major contributor to chronic pain and diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and more. Likewise, selfcare techniques have been shown to reduce stress and protect you for a long and healthy life.

A Speaker One-Sheet is the single most important showcase you as a speaker can have when trying to get booked for speaking

engagements so you attract your client prospects.

This is a two-page flyer that capsulizes why you are the right speaker for a booker’s audience. When you create the email proposal letter, there is not enough space (nor attention-span) to give the booker all of your credentials and a complete description of the subjects you intend to present. Attaching a Speaker One-Sheet will accomplish that.

It also uplevels your desirability, perceived credibility and professionalism, while summarizing your history of credentials, your authority and your expertise.

But there are OH SO MANY WAYS TO MESS UP YOUR SPEAKER ONE-SHEET!

So let me reveal to you the 8 ways you can sabotage your Speaker One-Sheet, so you can avoid these mistakes, and succeed at filling your calendar full of gigs!

What is a Sneak Preview?

What is a sneak preview? In simple terms, it is when you are given advanced notice about an upcoming product, service, solution, event, trend, industry, etc. before it goes viral or gets released to the public.

Sometimes it is just someone’s thought or idea. Have you ever heard someone mention something intriguing to you in a casual conversation? It usually starts with: Can you imagine if... Or, Why do we do it like this when we could...Or, Why include this in your...What if we could…

Camille Leon, Founder and CEO of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce, suggests that “this is one of the most powerful benefits of networking with like-minded professionals, practitioners and business owners. Insights and ideas often come up that can expand your current results into something bigger and brighter.”

Two Ways the HCC can Get You Money Now!

The Holistic Chamber of Commerce can help you get money to help you through this pandemic.

PPP (Paycheck Protection Program)

The HCC has partnered with Opportunity Fund for speedy approval of PPP funding. Chances are you qualify for PPP funds, loans which may be eligible for forgiveness. The application process is free.

If you have not already applied for PPP funding in 2020, please click on this link to get started.
If you received a PPP funding in 2020, you can still apply here for a loan in 2021.
For priority processing, apply by 3/15/2021.

ERC (Employee Retention Credit)

The HCC has also partnered with Telanoff Law to assist our members go through the process to get up to $14,000 per employee from the federal government. Click here to start the process. The application process is free. The sooner you apply, the sooner you'll receive these benefits. Apply today!

How Do I Find and Get on Virtual Summits?

Are you tired of seeing everyone else you know get showcased on virtual summits that are driving their client surge? And you keep wondering why you’re not getting t

hose same lucrative opportunities.

It’s because you haven’t learned the tricks of getting hosts to seek you out because you’re such a hot ticket, they have to have you on their lineup!

Summits are a great way to build your email list, introduce people to you and your body of knowledge, launch a book and engage new potential affiliate partners. Virtual summits are a critical part of a leader’s marketing today, especially since so much is now online! But to get invited consistently you need to prove your credentials as a great virtual summit guest presenter.

Once called telesummits before migrating to the web video, these cooperative online events are a hugely successful way to attract new prospects to your opt-in list, clients and book buyers. And one of best things about them is if you prove to be a good guest, then you get HOT on the summit circuit…you’ll get tons of invitations!

Every Face Tells a Story. What's Yours?

hat if you could determine what was most important to the person you just met or how your new client makes decisions, just by looking at their face? Cool, huh? Chinese Face Reading has been used for centuries in China and worldwide to help everyone from the Emperor to government officials, from military generals to matchmakers, to understand and communicate more effectively with others.

It is an ancient art and science that some Chinese scholars say dates back 3,000 to 5,000 years. According to Henning Hai Lee Yang, a Mian Xiang (Face Reading) expert, the first Face Reading school is said to have been established around 481 B.C.E. There are many accountings of how Face Reading originated, the most popular version was that the Emperor wanted to know which general to send into battle to ensure that he retained power. The ancient monks and scholars started making observations and inventories of faces, documenting that similarity in facial features correlated with similarity in personality traits and character. I venture to guess that you’ve noticed that people who look alike often act alike.

Mind Body Spirit Business Budget Planet, What does it mean to you?

There are many elements and aspects in life ~ Let's build balance in all of them!

I see the HCC as reflection of the ONENESS we want to see in the world. Coming together for the purpose of stewarding Humanity forward in a positive way as a collaborative collective of wellness and positive energy thinkers that work in unison without competition or fear. That is the embodiment of purpose here on Earth. HCC is poised to be a true Leader of wayshowers who intend for Mind, Body, Spirit, Business, Budget Planet in all our corners. Let it be so! Aho.

Lainie Sevante Wulkan, HCC Global Online Sales Director

For me, it represents the unity of all these ingredients to achieve success. The Holistic Chamber of Commerce encompasses all these aspects for our members, one does not work without the other. We have so many opportunities to thrive if we work collaboratively as a community. Proud to a member of the HCC.

Charn Pennewaert, Media Stream Marketing

Successful Leadership through Aikido

When you think of a successful business leader, some attributes that usually come to mind are resilient, collaborative, resourceful, patient, controlled, innovative and a host of other positive characteristics. However, most people would not associate Aikido as having anything to do with these leadership qualities. That’s where they are wrong.

Aikido, the art of the Samurai, is a Japanese martial art and has been recognized by top educators, business leadership groups and was even featured on Forbes, “Study Aikido to Become a Better Business Leader.” A Samurai spends a lifetime devoted to his cause and is always practicing to improve his skill.

As an Aikidoka (one who practices Aikido) in life and in business. I have been fortunate enough to have studied under a great Aikido master, Gentil Pennewaert Shihan for the past twenty years at Newport Beach Aikido. Through the years, I have found myself applying the principles of Aikido as a business leader. I often tell my clients that I have graduated from the University of Aikido.

Holistic Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 10 Years!

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 10, 2020) – With a vision of healthy people on a healthy planet, the Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) has woven together an international movement promoting holistic, natural and sustainable products, services and solutions. This expanding organization is pleased to celebrate its’ tenth anniversary this month.

Pre-COVID Chapter Meeting in Charleston Metro, SC

Mindful Marketing

If you want to sign up more customers, clients and/or patients, this is the one for you! Do you feel like you are putting yourself out there but can't figure out why people haven't signed up yet?

There are two critical keys to make sure your marketing works well!

1. When people are looking for the product/service/event that you offer, will they find you?

2. When they find you, will they know how to sign up?

Sure, your website offers a free gift in exchange for their email address... But what if someone is ready to buy now? What if they don't want to get on another email list? And do you even send emails to those who do sign up for your free gift?

The Mindful Marketer knows that, to help people, you have to make it easy for them to buy. Sometimes, you first have to help people know why they want to buy. Sometimes, they are ready and they just need your number (or email) or an easy-to-see "click here" "sign up now" button, and make sure that your links work).