Online Business Is Booming
I have to say I’m embarrassed at the length of time that has transpired since my last post here. So much has happened since I last posted, too much to relay here, so I’ll stick to the highlights 
My online presence, and subsequently my business, has taken on a life of its own since our return from Costa Rica last summer. My business partner, Stephanie Remers, and I were selected to become the newest instructors at GVO Academy last fall, after a series of online interviews where we shared our story. In the fall, we attended a “No Gurus” Seminar in San Antonio Texas, where we got to know our fellow GVO members and learned a great deal about where Internet Marketing is heading; so much so we have completely re-evaluated our direction for future growth! Our emphasis is no longer solely on affiliate sales, but expanding to include web hosting, web design and web conferencing services worldwide, concentrating on small business. I recently learned that 51% of small business in the US (who knows about worldwide) do NOT have their own web site, and of those that do, 80% are not happy with what they have. The truth is, unless you need something incredibly complex, having a web site is not only truly affordable, it is the wave of the future. An element of online marketing that, up until recently cost prohibitive for most, has exploded on the scene is Web Conferencing. If you’ve ever been to a webcast or webinar, likely you’ve used applications like GoToMeeting or Webex. Not only are these expensive ($100 for a 25 seat room in some cases), but your audience has to download the software. A twelve year old company has not only revised it’s original product, Hot Conference, but has made it available in five languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and German), no software to download (you need Adobe Flash), works on the newer flash enabled smart phones, and a 50 seat room with all the bells and whistles, is less than USD $10 a month with NO contract to sign. We are very excited about this technology now available to the masses worldwide. Please contact me if you’d like a personal demo or would like to sign up for a FREE demo account.
Another recent development that I’m extremely proud of is that I’ve been asked to become an Expert Author at a website that has over 40,000 unique visitors per month! I will post links to the articles here as they are published.
As for Costa Rica? We still hope to make our move there in the future. As it turns out, one of my business associates in Canada is moving to Grecia, literally 5 minutes from where we stayed! I do hope to make Atenas our home base for our next visit. That reminds me, please support the Lighthouse Shelter in Atenas by visiting her blog (see CR links on the right) and voting for her shelter at The Animal Rescue Site’s Shelter Challenge. Kitten does a great job with her animals, and the money earned from these grants is crucial. Read the story about Paco… if you are a dog lover, you will fall head over heels in love!
That’s it for now, till next time!
Deb
Independence Day – What does it mean for you?
Today is the day after my country’s celebration of Independence Day.
So, what does Merriam Webster say about Independence?
Main Entry: in·de·pen·dence
Pronunciation: \?in-d?-?pen-d?n(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 1640
1 : the quality or state of being independent
Main Entry: 1in·de·pen·dentPronunciation: \?in-d?-?pen-d?nt\
Function: adjective
Date: 1611
1 : not dependent: as a (1) : not subject to control by others : self-governing (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit <an independent bookstore> b (1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent <an independent conclusion> (2) : not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct (3) : not bound by or committed to a political party c (1) : not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) <independent of her parents> (2) : being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living <a person of independent means> d : showing a desire for freedom <an independent manner>
Independence means that you are the master and creator of your own destiny, that you are self sufficient and self motivated. How many of us yearn for true independence? How many of us take action to become independent? How many of us can say we are truly independent?
If you really think about those questions in the order asked, the number gets smaller and smaller, doesn’t it? So what is it that the few know, that can say they are truly independent, that the rest of us don’t?
It starts with identifying your dreams. Once we figure out our dreams, we can then take action to make them a reality. Once our dreams come true, my guess is that we become independent, because we are free to do whatever we want because we have manifested our own destiny.
So this weekend, no matter where you are in the world, do yourself a favor, stop for a few minutes and dream.
Here’s an exercise my business partner, Stephanie Remers, and I did a few months back. I was just reminded of it in a training video I just watched. Grab a pen/pencil and a piece of paper, or open up notepad on your computer and write down (or copy and paste) the following questions, giving yourself enough space to answer later.
1. What would I love to have that I don’t have now?
2. If I could eliminate one thing in my life, what would it be?
3. If money and time were not issues, what would I like to be doing right now?
4. What does my family need or want that they don’t have now?
5. What’s your dream/passion?
6. What’s your vision for the future?
Be specific! Think BIG! Think towards the future, 5, 10, 15 years down the road….
Take your time, go for a walk, sleep on it, then come back to your paper/computer screen and write down your answers. When you write your answers, write them in sentences that begin with “I see myself in…”, “I see myself with…”, “I see myself doing…”, “I see myself as….”
Write from your heart, not your mind. Go with your gut instincts, as they are usually right!
Once you have done this exercise, print it out, hang it up where you can see it. READ it every day!
There is something very powerful about putting thoughts on paper and seeing it day after day. Think about what action, no matter how small, you can take to realize your dreams, write it down and then just DO it. Progression takes place by mastering baby steps… we learn to crawl before we walk, walk before we run. It’s the same thing when laying out your map to independence. YOU have the power, you always did. Now it’s time for you to seize your power, create your own future and become independent!
Deb Lane
Real Estate in Costa Rica – two great gals we met!
I know I have a lot of posting to do, but wanted to get something up on the blog regarding real estate. One thing we did find out was that although building a home is relatively inexpensive when compared to the States, the land itself is pretty expensive! Even if you’re working with a real estate agent in Costa Rica, we found out it is imperative to have hired an attorney that is also a notary. Your attorney should be someone YOU select to ensure that he/she is representing YOUR interests. We have not yet gone that far, since we don’t know when we’ll be going back, but from the stories we’ve been told, it is crucial that you do your due diligence! There is no regulation of the real estate industry yet in Costa Rica, so it’s definitely buyer beware!
If you don’t already have an attorney I’d suggest getting one via personal recommendation or through ARCR. I’m guessing, just as in the States, attorneys have areas of expertise, so you’ll want to find one that deals primarily with real estate transactions. The attorney will be able to do the research on the property and advise you of any issues that could impact the sale. We’ve heard some stories of people buying a piece of land, only to find out later that it is not buildable!
We are likely to rent long term before buying for a variety of reasons. It will allow us to keep more cash in the bank for one and not tie up a lot of money in a home we may not stay in for a long time. It will give us the freedom to explore other areas of Costa Rica so we can be sure to settle in the right place! It’s easy to like a location but when you haven’t lived in the community, you are likely not getting a genuine feel for the place.
For those of you looking for real estate in either the Grecia/Naranjo/Sarchi or Atenas areas, Steve and I dealt with two women we thought were awesome! Brooke Bishop and Isabelle Jones are both agents with GoDutch Realty. They each took us all over their areas of expertise and were so pleasant and professional to deal with! One house that we really liked was one that Brooke showed us in Naranjo, a lovely area full of coffee farms! A picture of the house is below.
Unfortunately the house isn’t for rent, and of course we aren’t ready to move yet, so it will likely be gone by the time we return. I have to tell you though, I felt really good vibes at this house!! Our experience with Brooke and Isa left us with the impression that we will be able to find what we’re looking for when we’re ready! If you contact Brooke or Isa, please let them know you found them through my blog
I also posted a page on a home for sale in Grecia, so take a peek at that too!
Hasta Luego!
Deb
- Naranjo House
I also posted a page on a home for sale in Grecia, so take a peek at that too!
Hasta Luego!
Deb
