Month: November 2022

2022-11-01T08:01:00

(BPT) – As a woman in business, it’s common to feel like you’re out of your league, don’t belong or are failing even when you have evidence to the contrary. Impostor syndrome is hard to shake, but you don’t have to live with chronic self-doubt about your business acumen.

When Cindy Monroe founded Thirty-One Gifts, she was a young mother with no formal experience as a business owner and felt that people viewed her as “unqualified” for the job. Now, she’s celebrating a milestone with her first book “More Than a Bag: Celebrating the First 20 Years of the Thirty-One Story.”

In the book, Monroe shares leadership lessons from 20 years of working with and mentoring thousands of women as she built one of the largest woman-owned companies in North America.

Here are three tips she recommends to combat impostor syndrome and create a meaningful impact.

1. Embrace change and take risks

Early on in Monroe’s business, making big bets on her product line and investing in consultants paid off. However, as the business grew exponentially, she and her team had to embrace more difficult changes to sustain the size of the business.

“As the company experienced a number of difficult turns, I [had to look] for a transition plan that would allow me to focus on my strengths and what I love most about the business, supporting our independent consultants,” said Monroe. “I took a step to secure the future of Thirty-One and create the change I needed in my own role.”

For Monroe that included taking on an investment partner, as well as hiring a CEO for Thirty-One Gifts so she could focus on her passions.

Monroe’s journey taught her that the best professional development happens when you take risks and embrace change. She reminds readers to not only think about change but to be it and do it. By doing so, you can become more confident in your business decisions.

2. Make margins in business and life

In business and outside of work, it’s important to set priorities and boundaries to make margins in your life. According to Monroe, “Margin is the space you build into your life to live intentionally and make time for what is most important to you.”

In her book, Monroe explains that this tip was inspired by pastor and bestselling author Andy Stanley’s example of how margins work on the printed page. He encourages his audience to imagine how stressful it would be to read a page in their favorite book if there were no white space on the page — just words crammed from edge to edge. It would be unreadable.

This analogy spoke volumes to Monroe. “So much of my creativity, dreaming, free thought and even rest happened for me in the [margin] of life,” she said. “I learned that [margin] was not only where my dreams were born. It was also where they were mapped out and turned into action.”

In making time for yourself and enforcing boundaries between your personal and professional lives, you can make space for new ideas and solutions.

3. Trust your gut

When making business decisions, it’s important to not only rely on data and advisers, but to trust your gut or as Monroe calls it, your “inner coach.” This can be a tricky tip to practice, especially as a woman in business, where many prioritize facts over feelings.

Monroe shares that one of the most important things she learned in her 20-year entrepreneur journey was how to balance her own intuition with hard data and the wisdom and experience of others when making decisions.

When business takes a difficult turn or you face a disappointing outcome, it’s easy to worry that you’re not qualified or good enough to make an impact. Instead of projecting an unattainable image of an entrepreneur that knows it all, Monroe suggests stripping away concerns over image and defining your own version of success. By doing so, it’s easier to see the impact you’re making today and the opportunity to create a lasting impact in the future.

Using these three tips, you can feel more confident in your business abilities and focus on your passion and purpose. To learn more about Monroe’s journey and read more leadership lessons, visit MoreThanABag.com.

2022-10-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – The holiday season is here, and with it comes gift-giving, travel and plenty of other ways to rack up expenses. If you want to maximize your dollars, you need to spend like a pro — and that means using credit card rewards. Whether you want to plan a trip away or have the best-decorated house on your street, here is everything you need to know to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.

How to earn and use credit card points in three easy steps:

Rewards come in many shapes and sizes, but generally, there are three main ways to rack up savings: sign-up bonuses, purchases and credit card referrals.

First, when signing up for a credit card, issuers offer sign-up bonuses that work from the moment your card activates — basically free money. Additionally, a card might offer a massive point bonus after spending a fixed amount after signing up. In some instances, the bonus can exceed 100,000 points (about $1,000). That extra income is sure to jingle anyone’s bells.

Purchases also allow you to gain points with cashback cards that go directly to your “rewards portal.” These portals exist as space for you to redeem your points on things like airplane tickets, hotel rooms, or other big-ticket items. If you belong to specific loyalty programs, you can also transfer your points to those. With special deals on a rotating list of top brands, your loved ones are going to love the gifts your rewards card can bring.

Lastly, referrals are a great way to increase your credit card points. Depending on your favorite card, you can refer your friends and family to maximize your points. With digital transactions growing increasingly popular, it’s as easy as ever to send a friend a link and reap the rewards. Once they’ve signed up for the card, you’ll see the boost in your bank account. The holidays are about giving, so give your friends and family the gift of rewards!

Up your credit reward game for more holiday joy:

If you want to make the best holiday memories, being on a tight budget can really put coal in your stocking. But credit card rewards can help expand your budget and open new opportunities.

Retailers offer great deals on food and decorations, giving upwards of 10% cash back on specific purchases (including candy or gifts). This benefit can help reduce the price of a family meal, with grocery stores and even restaurants getting in on the action.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks have helped you find the best deals and opportunities to maximize your credit card points! With the holiday fast approaching, there are plenty of reasons to sign up now. Not only are the best deals approaching, but Congress is considering legislation that would end most reward programs. So, the time to sign up is now!

2022-10-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – In a time of record-high inflation across the country, anyone can benefit from additional savings. Whether you want to save money at the gas pump, lower the grocery bill, or maybe save up for a vacation, credit cards ensure you get benefits that make your wallet fuller and happier. Here are three ways to earn rewards that can help you beat back inflation.

1. Travel

As our world opens back up and families increasingly travel abroad, it’s important to know the different ways you can save by using your credit card. From start to finish on your travel days, there are deals you can use to make flying more comfortable and affordable.

Most airlines have specific credit cards allowing you to earn miles through dining and travel purchases. They allow you to earn more miles on airline purchases (tickets, bags and food) and even travel-related purchases, like dining. While premium cards carry a yearly fee, there are plenty of great free options. Watch out for seasonal sign-up bonuses. Those can range in excess of 100,000 free miles. Depending on your favorite airline, you can choose the one that works best for you.

If you prefer having a more comfortable travel experience and getting credit card points is not your priority, then you should look into credit cards that offer specialty perks, such as priority check-in or free checked bags. The top cards even give complimentary lounge membership and other premium airport programs.

2. Lifestyle

Inflation affects the products we use every day, so it’s important to find ways to save whenever possible. Whether by stocking up your fridge or filling up your gas tank, credit card providers offer programs that send savings directly to your bank account without having to redeem them for specific travel or entertainment necessities.

Cashback programs exist across all major credit card providers and are sustained thanks to the interchange — the 1-2% merchants pay to accept credit cards. Without interchange, it would be impossible for banks and credit card networks to offer their customers rewards or fraud protection. Many banks offer between 1-6% cash back on purchases. The best cards give unlimited cash back on all purchases, including gas and grocery.

Those savings go right back into your pocket and add up quickly.

3. Entertainment

Finding time to relax and do things you enjoy is essential, and thanks to rewards cards, you don’t have to break the bank to do the things you love!

For instance, some cards allow you to earn more on dining at restaurants, including takeout and participating delivery services. There’s also no need to worry about spending your cashback rewards before they expire because many have no expiration date as long as your account is open. Or if you’re looking for a getaway weekend — or maybe even want to enjoy a staycation in your own city — there are premium cards that offer great options. Using the card regularly can quickly earn thousands of bonus points toward your next hotel stay, plane ticket or car rental. Not to mention, premium cards offer exclusive access to ticket presales for Broadway shows, concerts, sporting events and more.

Whether it’s travel, entertainment or just everyday purchases, credit card rewards can offer significant savings when prices skyrocket. Now is a great time to take advantage due to record inflation, but also because the future of rewards points is in doubt. Congress is currently debating legislation that would end most rewards programs, including all the benefits seen above. There is a consumer movement to stop the bill at HandsOffMyRewards.com, but until the issue is settled, the best you can do is cash in while the rewards are available.

2022-11-01T07:01:01

(BPT) – Increasing tuition and mounting student debt is making a college degree more difficult to achieve. While policymakers are implementing debt forgiveness, nothing is addressing the root cause of the problem — traditional colleges and universities have built unsustainable cost models that can only be supported with ever increasing tuition. This leads to students believing they have no options, so they continue to willingly incur mountains of debt.

While some students choose to forgo college or dismiss the value of a graduate degree, many students are discovering a better way. One that doesn’t sacrifice the proven value of education to provide career-enhancing skills and advancement. Fully online institutions provide low-cost tuition models, largely due to lower operational costs, without sacrificing quality of education. Further, online higher education remains an affordable and attainable option for many students or working adults wanting to advance their career paths affordably.

High-cost education is often confused with quality, especially regarding four-year or advanced college degrees. But with historic levels of student debt combined with a significant shortage of skilled job applicants, isn’t it time to redefine how we measure the worth of a college degree? Online higher education institutions offer degrees that are significantly less expensive than traditional colleges or universities and offer substantial value and quality. A reflection of that value and quality is within graduation rate statistics where the norm for institutions is around 46 to 64 percent, according to Education Data Initiative and the National Center for Education Statistics.

The New York Times’ The Daily podcast recently aired “The College Pricing Game,” that suggested federal student aid programs, which are covered under Title IV, unfortunately exacerbate the affordability of education. In fact, one could argue that these programs have caused the student debt crisis because they have made students and parents desensitized to cost. At the same time, these federal loan programs incentivize institutions to raise tuition year after year. Student loan forgiveness, which has been touted as a potential saving grace, is at most a temporary solution and doesn’t truly address the central issue: traditional colleges and universities are too expensive.

Tuition, fees and housing at many state-funded universities range from $10,000 to almost $30,000 a year, depending on whether students are in-state or out-of-state. Including student loans and loss of income, the cost of a bachelor’s degree can exceed $400,000.

Affordable, accessible higher education solution

Fully online and non-traditional colleges and universities are filling that widening gap within the fractured education system, allowing students from all backgrounds and financial means to achieve success.

Leading online college American College of Education (ACE) breaks the link between the cost of tuition and the quality and accessibility of education. ACE’s funding is rooted in how much it costs to deliver a quality education rather than the maximum amount of government loans accruable through Title IV.

Global insights from HolonIQ Smart Estimates are projecting online education to grow by more than 12 percent annually through 2025. While it’s easy to directly correlate this growth with the COVID-19 pandemic, online (not remote) education has been growing for years, and there is a larger shift that needs to be recognized and addressed. Higher education should be accessible rather than exclusive and online colleges are pioneering the use of technology to increase academic quality and reduce cost. Without significant real estate and overhead expenses, these universities offer high-quality education programs, from micro-credentials to doctoral degrees, at a fraction of the cost of traditional colleges and universities. With affordable programs, fully online universities offer graduates the ability to cover the cost of their degrees within the first year or two of graduating.

“ACE has an unwavering commitment to putting students first, and this involves intentional attention to their concerns from cost to quality to flexibility,” said Geordie Hyland, ACE President and CEO. “Our low cost doesn’t require sacrificing quality, and we want to be a solution to the student-debt crisis and not a contributor. At the end of the day, many of our students graduate with minimal or no debt while earning a quality education that enhances their career development and contributions to society. We hope our efforts can inspire other institutions to do the same.”

2022-10-31T12:01:00

(BPT) – Rated as one of the best places to live in the country, the region is already emerging as a popular choice for travelers seeking outstanding vacation experiences, and is quickly standing out as appealing relocation places to remote workers.

Below are some of the top reasons NWA should be on your radar:

1. World-class trails

Northwest Arkansas is considered the “Mountain Biking Capital of the World” for good reason — the region boasts over 484 miles of trails through the Ozark mountains that are perfect for biking, hiking and camping. Everyone is welcome! Groups like Women of OZ are creating a welcoming, non-intimidating environment on the trails for all individuals who identify as women, regardless of their background or skill level. And if camping is your thing, you can pitch a tent along more than 135 miles of the National Buffalo River — America’s first national river — or take time to explore the beauty of Hobbs State Park Conservation Area or Devil’s Den State Park.

2. Vibrant arts community

But if it’s innovative galleries and inspiring public sculptures that get your heart racing, view the art installations along the OZ Trails and enjoy well-curated art experiences at your favorite local establishments thanks to OZ Art NWA, which is making the community more vibrant by promoting access to unique, diverse and authentic art encounters. As an art lover, your trip to Northwest Arkansas won’t be complete without visits to world-class museums like Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary, which offer a superb overview of art. And for lovers of the performing arts, theater is alive and well at TheatreSquared and the Walton Arts Center.

3. A view from the top

If you prefer finding a way to see the big picture, there’s nothing more thrilling than a “backcountry flying” tour courtesy of FLY OZ, which offers visitors opportunities to explore breathtaking views of 19 million acres of the “natural state” of Arkansas — and you could even learn how to fly the area yourself.

4. Supportive startup ecosystem

For solo entrepreneurs seeking a welcoming business environment, NWA is well worth a look. Home to three Fortune 500 companies and University of Arkansas (known for very high research activity), Northwest Arkansas is well-positioned to be a significant player in today’s innovation economy, recently emerging as a hotspot for startups. NWA is considered the second best Metro Area for Minority Entrepreneurs, creating a hub of economic and creative growth in the middle of the American Heartland. The Northwest Arkansas Council is a private nonprofit organization working to advance job opportunities, talent recruitment, physical infrastructure and quality of life in the region, connecting companies to startups and entrepreneurs.

5. Unique towns

Seeking a new hometown? NWA is home to several unique towns that offer a variety of great places to live — each with their own special combination of historic charm, vibrant communities, picturesque backdrops and plenty of activities to interest singles and families alike, including Bella Vista, Bentonville, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Huntsville, Rogers, Siloam Springs and Springdale. Exploring each one of these hidden treasures is a perfect vacation in itself — and may help you discover the next place you want to call home.

6. Tasty spots

From the creations of award-winning chefs (including three James Beard award semi-finalists) to new mouthwatering taste delights from local food trucks, Northwest Arkansas is quickly turning heads and attracting appetites thanks to options including the sustainably sourced, fresh, seasonal offerings at The Preacher’s Son, locally sourced elevated American classics at Pressroom, along with beautifully crafted cocktails at the Undercroft Bar and Lady Slipper.

Intrigued? Learn more about what other experiences are ready to be served up at ozlacarte.us. See how Austinites reacted when OZ Brands brought NWA directly to Austin.