What a year! NACWE has thrived, and we have all accomplished goals together and we’ve seen our dreams become reality. 2014 has been a year of bravery, new friendships, risks, success, failure, love, loss, and determination. Tonight is New Year’s Eve, a time for reflection and celebration. We have a lot to celebrate together!
On our Facebook page for NACWE members, we asked, “What was your word for 2014, and what did you learn?” We got some great responses from some fantastic NACWE members!
“My word for 2014 was focus. As a church, we were challenged to read through the Bible this year. God had shown me something when I first (reluctantly) gave my heart to Him, and I picked that back up and totally focused on it. Now, I hope to write about it. My first obstacle has already hit, and, boy, is it a doozy…Help me, Lord!” —Rhoda Baty
“My word for 2014 was discipline. It helped me grow my business and be obedient to God’s call by stepping out in faith.” —Heidi Kilde Kleine
“My word for 2014 was also discipline. It helped me complete one of the tasks on my “bucket list”—to write a book about the principles that have evolved in the 3+ decades I have been in the organizing and productivity business. It now exists! Learn more at www.LessClutterMoreLife.com. —Barbara Hemphill
“My word was peace. It has helped me to slow down, re-prioritize, and not get too overwhelmed during the major transitions that took place in my life this year.” —Shannon Whalen Spencer
“Mine was joyful abundance.” —Michelle Bengtson
“Relationships was mine. :) ” —Debbie Saviano
“Mine was freedom, and I didn’t find it until yesterday!” —Faydra Koenig
“Magnificent was my 2014 word. I learned to believe that no matter what, I am right where I supposed to be. Therefore, my attitude determines magnificence. The more I lived in acceptance and authenticity, the more magnificent my life became! It was a magnificent year!” —Marsha Sherrill
“Focus—to stay focused on the calling God had for me. I let go of some things and embraced some new ones. By staying focused on God, he shows me the path I need to take each day.” —Joyce Glass
“Devoted…As time went by through the year, I came to realize how truly devoted the Lord is to His people and how much more I became devoted to followed Him!” —Tina Drake-Parmigiano
“Action! I learned the difference between getting results and staying stuck is action. Goals, plans, and accountability mean nothing without action.” —Kristen Sheehan
“My word was simplify, and I learned that by simplifying my life, I can eliminate so much stress!” —Sabine Brandt
As we look forward to 2015, we hope you will continue to join us as we work towards greatness together. We will be here to support and encourage you every step of the way. Here’s to a great year… and many more!
00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2014-12-31 17:45:282015-05-06 15:31:24What's the Word? Celebrating 2014 Together!
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
—Isaiah 28:16
The ONE cornerstone was usually the largest, the most solid, and the most carefully constructed of any in the building. Over the past few months, we’ve been discussing types of secure stones necessary to build a successful business. We discussed THE Cornerstone—Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul referred to Him as the “head of the corner” and the “Chief Cornerstone of the Church.” He must be the head of our businesses as well! Then, we discussed the dedication stone, your mission and vision. It includes your purposes and is fundamental to and defines your past, present, and future growth. Another keystone is your customer or client. God has called you to serve them and to represent Him as you work together—you are His ambassador and builder as you offer your clients services and products that will enhance their lives. A final, but crucial, foundation stone is…you! After all, it is you God has called to minister to others in this unique and effective way! He will lead you to the equipment and expertise needed to draw others to Him as you follow your purpose and calling as entrepreneur! I waited seven years for God to show me what this looked like, and then I realized (in this stagnant state) that I had to move as far forward into His will as I could before He would show me more of the purposes and vision for RHEMA Counseling Associates.
Who are you?
Who are you in Christ?
What has He called you to do?
How do you believe He has equipped and will equip you toward this calling?
As you seek His will and look at what He has already shown you, what is the next step to take toward bringing Him gory and honor in your organization? Let’s take that step together! Join us and share your cornerstones at https://www.facebook.com/helpingprofessionalsalliance. God Bless You!
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the Founder of RHEMA Counseling Associates,, a Biblical Counseling, Coaching, and Training Center seeking to honor the Lord by leading others to the Sovereign God and the cross and Life of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit and equipped with the Sufficient Word [Greek: rhema] of God for abundant life and ministry. Karen lives with her husband Fred in North Central Texas, and spends as much time as possible with their 6 children, 5 grandchildren, extended family, and menagerie of ranch animals. www.rhemacounseling.com.
00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2014-12-29 19:06:102015-05-06 15:32:54The Foundation Stone: The Fourth of Four Business Cornerstones for Helping Professionals
Guest Expert: Cathy Alessandra When: January 20, 2015 / 10:00 CST Topic: YES I CAN: The Essentials to Empower You to Finally Take Hold of Your Life and Own It!
Do you hear that negative inner voice saying “you can’t do that!” Do you put yourself last, to the point of overwhelm, exhaustion and burnout? Do you feel a disconnect between everything and everyone but you truly want happiness and joy in your life?
Yes I Can is a movement for women sweeping across the globe. It’s all about quieting your negative inner voice, honoring yourself and taking control of your life. Many women hide their inner pain from the outside world, living a seemingly successful life to those around them. Yet they suffer in silence, never reaching out for support due to guilt, shame and fear. Speaker Cathy Alessandra gets real and raw, sharing the shifts she had to make to transform her life from barely surviving to fully thriving.
You will learn:
The 3 crucial essentials to empower you into greatness
The agreements you have to make with yourself for true happiness
The first step you can take for a joy-filled life
Cathy Alessandra is a dynamic speaker, best-selling author, radio host and the Chief Innovative Officer of Alessandra Media Group LLC. Since 1995, she has published the successful niche magazine, What’s Up For Kids™ serving families in Los Angeles. In 2011, she took her expertise in publishing, marketing and business to launch Today’s Innovative Woman™, creating a niche magazine serving smart, savvy women business owners. Additionally, Cathy hosts the weekly podcast radio show, Innovative Women in Business, interviewing successful women entrepreneurs and published the #1 Amazon bestseller, Millionaire Moms in the Making. Cathy was awarded the 2014 Anita Roddick Entrepreneur Award – Women Making History by the Business Women’s Mega Mixer, the 2013 Spirit Award from Worthwhile Referral Services, 2012 Leading Moms in Business award by StartUp Nation, the 2011 Top 50 Mompreneur’s of the Year award by Babble.com, was a finalist for the 2011 Ali Brown Platinum Excellence Award, and received the President’s Call to Service Life-Time Achievement award. She has been featured on CBS.com, career-intelligence.com and KFWB news radio in Los Angeles . She speaks on stages around the country on topics ranging from marketing to her YES I CAN inspirational movement. You can read more about Cathy at www.CathyAlessandra.com.
This year I ventured into a new business. As I delved into my new business, I realized I had much to learn. Each day, I am learning about our product line and how to run a successful business from home. Pursuing income-producing activities is more important than non-income producing activities.
Through this process, someone recommended a great book to help me become a professional in my new business. After reading Go Pro by Eric Worre, I realized a truth about any business you pursue. There are skills we can learn and master, but we must be willing to take the time to read, listen to audios, participate in conference calls with other leaders, and put the time in to learn. When you invest time and money into resources to help you become better at your profession, guess what happens? You get better!
I am not better than anyone else. I have invested time into growing myself personally and professionally. People will say things like, “Oh, you know so many people!” or, “You know how to talk with people.” I did not always know how to deal with people and objections they give. I am still learning! Over the years, I have listened to mentors and supervisors, and I have read books by many great leaders. I watch videos about how to be better at business or how to be a leader.
Growing professionally needs to be viewed as athletes view preparing for the Olympics. They are focused. They rearrange their lives and schedules to practice and compete to get better each day on their game. They can’t be involved in every volunteer opportunity or watch TV two to three hours at night and expect to get better if they are not focused on the goal.
Growing professionally takes sacrifice and commitment. You must say no for now to some things so later on you can enjoy the reward of working hard.
I love to read books and watch videos, as I mentioned earlier. I have learned from many strong leaders how to organize, how to blog, how to lead, how to market, and how to stay focused.
When I started to blog and write, I read Michael Hyatt every day! He inspired me and helped me get more organized in my blogging and in my personal life.
“Bad habits are similar. You can focus your attention on eliminating them. Or, you can focus on developing positive habits.”As you do so, you will naturally—and more easily—remove the bad habits.” —Michael Hyatt
Create the habit of learning for life! The more you learn how to do your business, the better you will be. Sometimes, you need to heal your own hurts and wounds to be better at business, which involves working through painful life circumstances.
Reading, listening to books on audio, watching videos, and conference calls are so readily accessible to everyone now with a computer or smartphone. You can learn so much without leaving your home.
One of the best things in my new business is the great network of support and camaraderie among the ambassadors. We support each other’s victories, we help each other learn, and we give each other hope for the next step. This is what makes a great company: great people sharing from the heart with each other.
“You can make positive deposits in your own economy every day by reading and listening to powerful, positive, life-changing content and by associating with encouraging and hope-building people.” —Zig Ziglar
What positive deposits are you making into your personally economy this week? NACWE is great way to learn more about business and being a professional. The support of this group, the many great webinars, and business coaching I have received from Diane have helped propel me on the path God has laid out for me. There is so much to do, it can become overwhelming. Learn how to make goals, prioritize your day, and make baby steps in your big projects each week. Diane teaches how to look at the big picture, and then break it down into manageable steps.
“The great secret about goals and visions is not the future they describe but the change in the present they engender.” —David Allen
Create the habit of learning. Find resources daily to study and learn how to grow in your business and personally. Get focused. How do you need to rearrange your schedule to create room to develop your personal and business skills? Find people who will support you and help you on your journey in business. NACWE is one place I have found many friends and supporters along the way. We have a few weeks to finish the year. Start learning now, and plan how you can grow your business through the end of the year to start off with a bang in January!
Share in the comments below: What positive deposits are you making into your personally economy this week?
Joyce Glass is a writer, speaker, and lover of God’s word even more than chocolate! Her desire is to encourage you to walk closer to God. Dig deeper in your faith. Pray in earnest daily for God to teach you His ways, and serve Him right where you live and work now. She is the author of iNeed God – daily downloads for your heart. A 90 day journey closer to God! You can connect with Joyce online at www.TheDailyGPS.com.
00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2014-12-23 21:06:542015-05-06 09:57:23Are You Ready To Go Pro In Your Business?
This is the season for gifts, and the frenzy is in full force to purchase, decorate, dress up, and run hither and thither as the days get closer and closer to Christmas.
I am doing Christmas in my own way.
I am making creative gifts that are very low-cost and high in the “love factor.”
My Christmas tree is a giant canvas that I painted (as pictured here).
Zander is running amok as a cat should.
And I am heading to California to see my family in a few days!
More important to me than all of the hoopla and the tinsel is the reason for the season, my faith, and my Lord Jesus. I can’t help to view that through the eyes of my business. I speak often of the fact that I believe that my business is a gift. This is one of the core messages that I “preach” to my clients and members of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs.
I wholeheartedly believe that God has given me the business that I have, the clients I serve, the people on my team, and the platform I hold to share my gifts. I feel that it is my duty and my blessing to accept this gift and use it. I intend to use it, learn from it, honor it, and cherish it. Whenever I think of doing otherwise, I feel like I would not only be dishonoring my Father but also dismissing the people He has given me. I am NOT willing to do that.
I AM willing to love my gift and show it off to the world.
I AM willing to do all that I can and give it everything that I have.
I AM willing to invest my full heart, mind, and intentions.
I AM willing to accept this gift from God.
This past week, I was sent a Grinch-like message, and it made me pause. I had to check my motives. I had to stop to reflect and pray. I felt afraid to keep sharing my message for a little while, but I am back.
Today, I choose to continue to be me and pray for those who attack me. I am a mess. I am NOT perfect. I know you aren’t, either. That is the miracle of the season. We have the gift of GRACE.
I will celebrate my business this season. I will look back on where I have been over the past year and take inventory. I am looking at my future plans, and I’m excited about the thought of opening the box that says “2015” on it. I hope you choose to do the same with your gift of a business and the gift of this life.
Be BRAVE my friends!
Diane Cunningham is the Founder and President of the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs. She is a “business therapist,” plane crash survivor, author, consultant, speaker, marathon runner, and fun friend. Find out more about NACWE and why 165 women joined in the first year at www.NACWE.org. Connect with Diane at www.facebook.com/DianeCunningham for fun updates, silly videos, and lively conversation.
00Heather Rossonhttp://nacwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CWElogoPNG-TransparentBGSmall-1.avifHeather Rosson2014-12-21 21:07:502015-12-14 14:11:36The Gift of Grace, Entrepreneurship and a Messy Creative Christmas
“My word for 2014 was focus. As a church, we were challenged to read through the Bible this year. God had shown me something when I first (reluctantly) gave my heart to Him, and I picked that back up and totally focused on it. Now, I hope to write about it. My first obstacle has already hit, and, boy, is it a doozy…Help me, Lord!”
Are you ready to go pro in your business?
