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Taking Care Of Business

Posted on August 10, 2016 Written by Tonya

It’s a leap of fate starting a business, there is also a very, very steep learning curve and things pop up almost daily that you never thought would. Decisions to be made, records to keep, documents to create, meetings, brainstorming sessions, strategy, and expenses. So. many. expenses. But here we are, Take Flight Social Media Consulting is almost 6 months old!!

We had a business plan by mid-February, took on our first client March 1, filed for an LLC March 22, launched our website April 5 and became “Facebook official” April 7.

We have worked with 11 clients to date and currently have eight on our roster.

I learn something new almost every day and thrive from trying to balance all my different roles. It’s definitely a juggling act. I misstep on occasion, but today, all the balls are in the air.

Things I didn’t know I’d love about having my own business. Also known as, things I’ll never take for granted:

Choosing an awesome business partner, who shares your vision, work ethic and is always a friend first. I’m so glad we are in this together, Nichole!
Reliable Wi-Fi. Duh.
Excepting help when offered and knowing when to ask for it.
Supportive husbands and families.
All. the. caffeine.
Dry shampoo.
Voxer.
Amazing friends who send business our way and cheer us on because they genuinely want us to be successful.
Clients that let us do you what we’ve promised.
Asking for what we’re worth!!
Taking on the risk and reaping the rewards.
~~Slowly~~ paying off our investor.
Karma.
Sundays. Sundays are sacred. Sundays are for family.

Things I’ve done while owning my own business that I’m not so proud of:

Held conference calls in the car, bathroom (with the mute button on, of course!), grocery store, car pool, parking lots, my closet, dressing rooms, etc.
Produced eight pens from my purse at any given time.
Gone through the Starbucks drive-thru just so I can respond to an email.
Been in jammies and not brushed my teeth until way past noon.
Let my children watch way too much TV on the days they are both home with me. Mommy guilt, much?
Manically checked and rechecked my phone and email for likes, engagements, notes from clients or potential clients after having delivered a killer proposal.
Told a client I didn’t care for their product. Gulp. They took it pretty well, considering.

The list of things I’ve done that I am proud of far exceeds the above list. I never thought I’d be here at all, but it has been an amazing ride and I have enjoyed every minute. I love what I do, who I do it with and I’m eager to see where the next six months take us!

“Your reputation is more important than your paycheck, and your integrity is worth more than your career.”

– Ryan Freitas, About.me co-founder

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Timing My Online Life

Posted on October 29, 2014 Written by Tonya

My friend Elaine of The Miss Elaine-ous Life recently posed the question: how many hours do you think you spend online each day? My response was as follows:

Hard for me to say, a good solid two hours every night after the kids go to bed and periodically throughout the day… Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, games, etc. All on my iPhone. Maybe five hours total?

When I read blogs or write or comment, it’s usually on my laptop and nowadays that is maybe five hours per week, if I’m lucky.

Just this week for the first time Lucas asked me point blank, “Mom, why are you on your phone all the time?” That stopped me in my tracks.

I was completely guessing and in all honesty really had no idea but felt it was too much.

I don’t work so I’m not in front of a computer all day and can’t seem to find the time to write very much anymore, but my phone is always within reach, on silent so I won’t react every time it makes a sound. I hate those people who hear a message alert that is not even their own and they grab their phone anyway.

I thought it would be interesting to time myself daily for one week to see exactly how much time I actually do ~~waste~~ spend on my phone and I’m shocked at the results.

Happily shocked.

From Saturday, October 11 – Tuesday, October 21 each and every single time I used my phone or laptop, I started a stopwatch and at the end of the day, just before I fell asleep, I stopped it and captured a photo. Here are the results for nine days:

I timed everything I did: looking up directions, composing texts, phone calls, searching Google, reading blogs, reading and responding to e-mails, posting to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, taking photos, editing photos, creating notes, listening to podcasts while walking, playing games, EVERYTHING! On average I spend just over three hours on my phone per day.

Incidentally, there is a smartphone usage tracking app (of course) called Moment ($4.99 on the App Store) and the creator, Kevin Holesh designed it for the exact reasons I wanted the data. “Since it’s so difficult to convince ourselves to leave our smartphones alone, Holesh said he wants people to at least find a balance of “connected and disconnected” that’s right for them.

So often make excuses for the reasons we are online and the time it takes us away from our family and friends and what’s really important and all that time can really add up.

My goal was to track my usage for one week but I ended up doing it for 11 days because it was easy and I found it so interesting. It turns out that scrolling through my Facebook feed, posting a cute pic of my kids or playing my turn in Words With Friends doesn’t take nearly as long as I thought it did.

I wonder if my usage was reduced because I was aware of the experiment. I noticed I didn’t comment as much on Facebook, read as many articles or view as many YouTube videos.

The majority of phone time was late at night when I didn’t have anyone to attend to, when I should have been reading or writing (!) or talking to my husband, however, he is a lights out at 10 o’clock kind of person and I stay up until midnight almost every night. After we caught up and watched a show or two on TV, I turned to my phone. Perhaps I’d get a more restful sleep if I put my phone down.

I also timed my laptop usage, although during the 11 days I only used it once and for roughly an hour.

If you have ever wondered about your phone usage, I encourage you to try this challenge and please share your results. And relax, it’s probably not as much as you think!

Things I Do At 4 In The Morning

Posted on May 8, 2014 Written by Tonya

We are so lucky, Lola is an excellent sleeper. She goes for 4-5 hour stretches each night, which means she’s only up twice, around midnight and 4 o’clock. My husband and I take turns and typically I have an easier time getting her to go back to sleep but after she has been fed and burped and changed and kissed and rocked, I am wide awake!

Try as I might to will myself back to sleep, never turning on a light or the television, lying still and breathing deeply, most nights I fail miserably.

And I know I shouldn’t grab for my phone, but it’s right there on the nightstand beguiling me. So here’s what I do at 4 in morning:

Respond to text messages… I know, a little but but better late than never.
Unsubscribe to unwanted promotional e-mails.
Meal plan.
Write partial blog posts.
Research soon-to-be expired Groupons I’ve purchased.
Look up answers to curious four-year-old questions, like knock-knock jokes, if fish sleep (they do, BTW) and birthday party themes.
Play Words With Friends (thank you to those who are up at the same time!).
Read, thanks to my Kindle app (!).
Order stuff…. diapers mostly but lately several packages have arrived at our house that I don’t exactly recall ordering. With the Amazon.com and Diapers.com apps, it is just far too easy, not to mention expensive!

Time to keep my phone downstairs.

Outside.

In the trunk of my car.

Two Heartbeats

Posted on January 17, 2014 Written by Tonya

Waking with a start at 1:18 AM, I am tangled up in sheets. I’m hot and breathless. I sigh heavily and then listen. The house is still. The bedroom window is cracked opened and I hear a car whiz down our street and the distant barking of a dog. Downstairs, I hear Charlie’s collar, but luckily he doesn’t respond to his canine cousin. I throw my legs over the side of the bed and my husband moans and asks if I’m okay. “Yep” is my only reply afraid to wake up too much.

I am up and need to pee.

I make my way to the bathroom in the dark, quickly wash my hands and find myself back in bed within minutes.

Finding a comfortable position is next to impossible so I toss and turn and try a few different pillow configurations but end up giving in and reaching for my phone on the nightstand. The illuminating light is too much so I quickly go into my Settings and turn it down.

I proceed to spend the next hour responding to text messages received the day before, cleaning up my e-mail In Box and playing 11 waiting Words With Friends games. I also check my calendar for the day ahead and get lost in daydreams of gorgeous decor, insightful quotes, scrumptious looking recipes and far away places on Pinterest. I contemplate heading to the couch in the playroom to read.

Suddenly I realize I am not alone. My husband is snoring rhythmically next to me, but there is someone else.

The middle of my body starts to slowly twitch and roll. I put my phone down and place both palms on my belly. It’s a wonderful and indescribable feeling. With less than two weeks left of this pregnancy, I know I will miss this feeling.

Soon my baby girl and I will no longer share heartbeats.

Six Must-Have Pregnancy Items

Posted on November 12, 2013 Written by Tonya

For me, along with a growing belly comes swollen feet and legs, an achy back and bizarre cravings for lemons and baked goods. I know, right? But, that’s about it. I’m lucky and don’t get the nausea, heartburn or hemorrhoids.

When it comes to pregnancy, I don’t know why I have been so blessed to have such an easy go at it, but I could not go through this experience without sharing a few of my favorite pregnancy items.

Sure, a great support system and caring team of doctors is important, as are prenatal vitamins, a healthy, well-balanced diet, equal parts exercise and rest and pretty much a whole new wardrobe are essential, but these are my six must-haves for a successful, more comfortable nine months.

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1. Belly cream. My favorite is Bella B Tummy Honey Stretchmark Prevention Butter. It smells delish, feels luxurious and helps prevent stretch marks and itching. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

2. Proper fitting undergarments. I have grown a full cup size and then some and my go-to bras are Victoria’s Secret’s Body By Victoria, which offers super full coverage, lots of colors to choose from and are available in both under-wire and wireless. Totally worth the price tag.

3. Cheese. Better known as the Babies R Us Pregnancy Wedge Cushion Pillow. If you’re not ready or willing to spend $80+ on a full body pillow, this is the perfect alternative for that extra belly, legs, and hip support you need in order to get a better night’s sleep.

4. My iPhone. I use it to keep track of what my body and baby are doing with awesome apps like Baby Bump and What To Expect: Pregnancy and to pass the time while waiting and waiting and waiting in doctors offices.

5. Compression socks. One yucky side effect I have been experiencing is a lot of pressure in my legs and some minor blood clotting at the end of the day and although they are ugly as sin, Futuro Energizing Ultra Sheer Knee Highs do help.

6. Pampering. Once a month (sometimes more) I get mani/pedis and prenatal massages. Anything that makes me stop and forces me to relax is a very good thing.

What helped you get through your pregnancy?

None of the companies mentioned above endorsed this blog post in any way, I received no free swag for writing this and all opinions expressed are 100% my own, but if Victoria’s Secret picks up on this, I would not turn down a gift card!

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Day 12: Today I am grateful for a good night’s rest. I spent half of last night coughing my lungs out and with a newborn baby on the way, severe sleep deprivation is too and it helps me appreciate the value and luxury of a full eight hours of sleep, glorious sleep. Are you getting enough Zzzzz’s? #30daysofgratitude

Mommy Time Well Spent

Posted on October 9, 2013 Written by Tonya

Lucas goes to preschool 18 hours a week.

Six hours, three days a week.

Those 18 hours are precious as hell to me but also busy as hell.

If I’m not sitting in a doctor’s office or being seen by a doctor, which eats up a lot more of those 18 hours than I care to report, I am running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off.

I typically have a ‘To Do’ list a mile long consisting of phone calls to make or return, groceries to purchase and dry cleaning to drop off and pick up.

I use those three days to walk the dog, tackle mounds of laundry, attempt meal planning and/or cooking, keep our home in order and if there is any me time left over, I catch up on my shows, blog, get my nails done, shower and wash my hair or enjoy the company of a friend over lunch, but every once in a while, I forgo the busy morning and appointment driven days and take myself to breakfast.

This is what that looks like:

Just me, a pot of green tea and a book. It’s a rare but lovely treat.

Where do you find your bliss?

Linking up with Sarah of The Sunday Spill and Greta of Gfunkified for their #iPPP weekly meme. Photo was taken with my iPhone 4s.

Camping Buddies: #iPPP

Posted on October 2, 2013 Written by Tonya

As a father, one of the things my husband was looking forward to doing with Lucas, as soon as he was old enough, was take him camping. Over the past two years, he has taken him at least a dozen times. On the very rare occasion, I’ll tag along, but it’s mostly about father/son time.

This past weekend, because they were at a camp site less than 15 minutes from our house, I joined them for dinner on their second day and captured some great shots.

Camping buddies.

The makings of a beautiful sunset.

Daddy’s little helper.

I got it, I got it!

Swoon.

Linking up with Sarah of The Sunday Spill and Greta of Gfunkified for their #iPPP weekly meme. All photos are filer and edit free and taken with my iPhone 4s.

One To Frame: #iPPP

Posted on September 25, 2013 Written by Tonya

I have a real camera somewhere, but I haven’t seen it in years.

I got my first iPhone on September 28, 2009 (yes, I know the exact date) and I have been taking photos with it ever since. I was snapping photos with other cell phones prior to that, but a smart phone is slick. It’s easy to use, portable, the new iOS 7 has built in filters and there are tons of cool photography apps available.

I’m not a great photographer but I try. I think I have a good eye and so I take lots of photos. I’m trying to focus on capturing more candids and small moments.

Some of the pictures I take are silly and stupid and deleted immediately, many are for the purposes of the blog or Instagram and tons are texted to family and friends on a daily basis and then there are a very select few that are blown up, framed and hang in my home.

This will be one of those precious few.

Waiting for baby kicks – September 24, 2013

Sharing this pregnancy with Lucas has been so much sweeter than I ever could have imagined and baby kicks? Well, there is nothing better.

Linking up this week with Sarah of The Sunday Spill and Greta of Gfunkified for their #iPPP weekly meme.

Search History

Posted on July 29, 2013 Written by Tonya

Sometimes I look at my Internet search history on my phone and I have to smile… or cringe.

Having an inquisitive brain myself and a very curious four-year old, I love being able to look things up in a moments notice in order to satisfy an urge to know, settle an argument or further investigate simply for the sake of knowledge. Kids ask a lot of questions and it’s nice to be able to deliver a response and often with photos.

The strangest request Lucas has had recently is to show him a picture of Dr. Laura. I know, I know, probably not the best car ride listening entertainment, huh? Well, maybe some of her wisdom will sink in?

Here’s what else I have researched lately:

In my defense (from top to bottom):

I highly suggest looking up Tom Cruise and his winning smile… there is something amiss. He has a tooth in the center of his face. It’s totally creepy.

I signed up for an upcoming 5K.

The Tijuana Dogs are one of my favorite local bands and I was checking out their tour dates.

My BFF is moving to Corsica and although she doesn’t know it yet, I’m planning a trip. Worth researching for the gorgeous photos alone!

I gave Charlie Pasta his first people food… popcorn and then freaked about about whether it could hurt him. He loved it and it’s okay for dogs.

I’m anxious to read Life After Life by Kate Atkinson.

Lucas wanted to know all about barnacles. Random, right?

I am bound and determined to make gazpacho before the summer is over.

What have you looked up lately?

A Month Long Celebration

Posted on July 16, 2013 Written by Tonya

It really pays to have a birthday IF you are signed up with as many loyalty programs as I am.

I’ve always been a sucker for loyalty programs at both restaurants and my favorite places to shop and one way companies that offer incentives and discounts in exchange for your repeat patronage is by acknowledging your birthday. This year I was hell bent on not letting any free stuff expire, like I’ve always done in the past. As a result, my family and I been celebrating my special day all month long!

SIDE NOTE: If you’re a fan of loyalty programs too, but don’t want to carry a bunch of cards in your wallet or have them annoyingly dangling from your key chain, I highly recommend getting the app, Key Ring. It’s free and super easy to use and will keep all of your loyalty cards in one convenient place, right on your smart phone. Plus, it alerts you of current offers, discounts and sales!

If you have a iPhone 4s or higher, there is also a pre-installed app called Passbook with similar features… or so I’m told.

Anyway, here is a short list of all the cool stuff I’ve enjoyed for my birthday month:

Free burger at Red Robin
Free bagel and cream cheese at Bruegger’s Bagels
Free beverage at Starbucks
Free small frozen yogurt at Pinkberry
2x the bonus points on all purchases all month at Ulta
30% off at Cost Plus World Market
Complimentary cookie at Boudin
Free birthday sundae at Ruby’s
15% off entire purchase at Anthropologie
$5.00 off entire purchase at DSW
20% off entire purchase at Muttropolis
Free dessert at True Food
Free dessert at Island’s
Buy One Get One at Soup Plantation

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Click on image for source.

The makers of Key Ring did not endorse this post, nor did they acknowledge my birthday in any way.

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