Tips

In Career Gems February 9, 2024 By Women of Rubies

9 Grants For Female Entrepreneurs In Canada

Grants for Female Entrepreneurs can be a vital source of financial support for women looking to grow their businesses in Canada. In 2024, women are breaking barriers with their innovative ideas. Grants can be a game-changer for your venture, providing the necessary support to succeed. These grants are not only about the money but also represent a vote of confidence in the power of women-led businesses. Let’s explore these opportunities together.

9 Grants for Female Entrepreneurs in Canada

1. Canadian Women’s Foundation

At the forefront of the movement for women’s empowerment, the Canadian Women’s Foundation offers grants to fuel initiatives dedicated to uplifting women and girls. From economic development to safety and leadership, their grant programs address a wide range of issues impacting women across Canada. Non-profit organizations, charities, and community groups are encouraged to apply for funding to drive positive change and dismantle systemic barriers faced by women.

2. The Women Entrepreneurship Fund

Recognizing the vital contributions of women entrepreneurs to Canada’s economy, the Government of Canada offers the Women Entrepreneurship Fund. This initiative provides funding to women-owned and women-led businesses, enabling them to grow and thrive. With a focus on increasing access to capital, networks, and expertise, this fund empowers women from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and newcomers.

3. Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) has empowered women in business for over 28 years, emphasizing capital, connections, and capacity building. They provide financial support through various lending programs and advisory services and foster networking by hosting seminars, events, and an annual awards ceremony. AWE addresses crucial challenges such as cash flow management and mental well-being, offering resources to navigate the tech industry. They support women entrepreneurs and help grow women-led businesses in Alberta.

4. FCC Women Entrepreneur Program

Grants for Female Entrepreneur — Business Career Concept. Afro Businesswoman Smiling Sitting In Modern Office. Copy Space

The FCC Women Entrepreneur Program by Farm Credit Canada is a comprehensive initiative to empower women in the agriculture, agribusiness, and food sectors. It aims to improve access to capital, enhance skills, and provide resources for learning and inspiration. $500 million over 3 years to help women entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses. The Women Entrepreneur Loan, a program’s central feature, facilitates financial advancement with a one-time loan processing fee waiver. The program offers events and resources for skill-building and networking in agriculture.

5. The Indigenous Women’s Fund of Canada

For Indigenous women, the journey towards empowerment is deeply intertwined with culture, heritage, and community. The Indigenous Women’s Fund of Canada provides grants to support Indigenous women’s leadership and community-driven initiatives. By amplifying Indigenous voices and supporting projects focused on self-determination and healing, this fund plays a vital role in strengthening Indigenous communities and fostering resilience.

6. The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Women’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program

Aspiring women entrepreneurs across Canada find support and resources through the RBC Women’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program. Through grants, mentorship, and access to valuable resources, this program empowers women-owned businesses to reach new heights. By fostering innovation and promoting economic empowerment, RBC’s initiative plays a crucial role in shaping the landscape of entrepreneurship in Canada.

7. Women in Technology Venture Fund

The Women in Technology Venture Fund by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is a significant initiative to support female-led technology firms. One of the largest funds globally for Canada’s tech ecosystem, with a dual mandate of generating investment returns and making a lasting impact. The fund, which is closed to new investments, has a strong portfolio of companies and is focused on nurturing existing ones. With a commitment to fostering leadership and innovation among women in technology, BDC’s fund catalyses economic prosperity and excellence across Canada’s tech landscape.

8. Women in Trade Grants

Export Development Canada (EDC) offers a comprehensive program to empower women entrepreneurs for global business success. This initiative provides financial solutions and insights for international market growth. It includes resources for various export stages, managing risks, and cash flow. EDC offers services like Credit Insurance, Financing, Working Capital solutions, and the Export Guarantee Program. The Women in Trade program under EDC also features an Inclusive Trade Investments Program, aiming to address funding gaps for women and diverse exporters. Additionally, EDC offers educational tools, success stories, and expert advice to support women in expanding their businesses internationally.

9. Thrive Venture Grants for Female Entrepreneurs

The Thrive Venture Fund for Women, facilitated by BDC, supports the growth of women-led tech companies in Canada. This fund is for Canadian women entrepreneurs in tech at the Seed and Series A/B stages. It supports women in tech to thrive and lead Canada’s tech industry globally.

The fund empowers women in tech entrepreneurship with necessary resources, collaboration opportunities and a platform to transform markets. The initiative aligns with BDC’s goal to build a robust, diverse, and inclusive economic landscape.

Here are 9 grants for female entrepreneurs in Canada that promote gender equality and support women’s empowerment in business. They can be used to start a business or to support its growth. These grants value diversity and innovation, creating an inclusive economic landscape where women can succeed in their entrepreneurial industries.

In Career Gems January 9, 2023 By Women of Rubies

6 Simple Ways To Improve Your Sitting Posture At Your Work Desk

If there is one thing this generation suffers from, it is poor posture. Take a look around you and observe keenly the people around your environment. You would see people with poor sitting, standing and walking postures.

In your work place, you would have noticed people hunched over their seats, with their backs bent.

You’re probably currently sitting at your desk reading this, blissfully unaware of your posture right now—and that’s perfectly normal. It can be difficult to always be mindful of your posture, especially during a hectic workday through hours of Zoom meetings and conference calls.

Your posture is a very important indicator of your overall health, as it supports blood flow, improves your mood, increases your confidence, and strengthens your other muscles and joints. Practicing better posture while at your desk at work or at home, even in the smallest ways, is a great way to be mindful of your health on a daily basis.

Here are a few quick ways you can improve your posture as you go along your workday.

1. Switch up your seating

Your seating can make or break your posture—literally. Seating with little to no back support, worn-out chairs, and working from your couch or bed could wear on your body over time, straining your shoulders, spine, and lower back.

If your desk chair doesn’t have the support you need to sit comfortably and in an upright position for an hour or two at a time, you may need to switch up your seating.

A good, ergonomic chair for your workspace will have lumbar support to help the middle of your back, where most of the tension goes when you’re hunched over your desk. You also want to pick a chair that keeps your body at a neutral, upright position with an adequate seat height that keeps your arms and legs leveled and a backrest that isn’t too firm or too soft.

If you’re now working from home, make sure to be mindful of where and how you’re sitting. Set up your own workspace with a desk and chair that supports your back and shoulders and promotes better posture over time.

As much as you can, avoid working from your bed. Your spine will thank you.

2. Take frequent stretch breaks

It’s easy to get wrapped up in your workday and forget to move, so set an alert on your work calendar or on your phone as a regular reminder to take a break and switch up your posture by taking a walk, standing briefly in between meetings, stretching, or getting a quick exercise in.

Spending hours upon hours every day in a seated position where your back is either slouched or hunched over is detrimental to your posture. Many health professionals have declared that sitting has now become the new smoking, a popular myth that compares the negative chronic health effects of both, such as weight gain and diabetes.

Prolonged sitting can have long-lasting effects on not only your back but also on your overall health.

Make it a priority to get up and move around on a regular basis throughout your workday to give your body some relief from sitting and staring at a screen all day. Put yourself on a daily schedule to get some time away from the desk so you can give your back a break from sitting in an upright position, putting more pressure on your spine.

3. Exercise for better posture

When we exercise, we often forget to exercise for better posture, especially as working from home becomes more prevalent. Your posture is key to better overall health, and taking time to focus on it during your workday can help prevent lifelong body issues.

Exercising throughout the workday for better posture can be as simple as standing upright for an hour or two at a time at your desk, stretching and rotating your neck to relieve some of the tension from hours of working, or getting a good back bend at the waist to loosen up that lower back.

Give yourself a few small breaks during the workday to work out those kinks in your shoulders, neck, and back from sitting too long, and focus on exercises specifically for those areas.

4. Keep your workspace eye level

Hunching over your desk to look at your laptop or to type is one of the key indicators of poor posture. If your laptop or desktop computer isn’t eye level, it makes it easy to slouch and get stuck working that way for hours.

Do an overall assessment of your workspace, including your laptop, your monitor, your desk, and your computer accessories like your keyboard and mouse to make sure they are level to your eyesight and body to ensure that you’re not straining your neck, shoulders, and back to use your devices.

Your workspace should be at a comfortable level but upright enough where your posture isn’t compromised. Switch up the positioning of your workspace so that it’s easier to sit upright while still being effective throughout the day. If you work remotely or from home, find a better place to set up your workspace like on a high bar-style countertop where you can easily sit in an upright position, or even stand and work for a change of pace.

5. Be intentions about your sitting posture

Taking the time to connect with your body every so often throughout the day to see how it feels can seem like another item for your to-do list, but your back will definitely thank you for it!

Practice being mindful of your posture throughout the workday by setting frequent reminders on your phone to check in with your body.

Use this mindfulness to be more aware of your posture on a daily basis and when you place the most tension on your back. Do you find that your posture suffers during long Zoom meetings? Are you sitting for more than two to three hours at a time in the mornings or afternoons? Take note daily of all of your workspace habits and how it impacts your posture and your overall body. This will help you anticipate and be more mindful of your posture during the most stressful times of your day and prepare to change it up.

6. Keep your feet flat on the floor

Your feet and their position while at your desk play a crucial role in your overall posture while sitting. If your feet are crossed or elevated, that could compromise your posture, as your weight is primarily on one leg or your back is taking the brunt of it.

When your feet are flat on the floor and properly leveled, the weight of your body is evenly distributed across your hips. Keeping your feet flat on the floor also makes you more mindful of the overall stance of your body, as it unconsciously makes you straighten up.

Practice keeping your feet fully on the floor for longer periods of time instead of elevating them using a footrest or crossing your legs at the knees underneath your desk. Planting your feet on the ground will help you be more aware of your posture and if you’re slouched or hunched over your desk.

Your posture is a key indicator of your body’s health during your workday. Don’t ignore any signs of back or shoulder pain; make it a point to take care of yourself while working, starting with your posture

Which of these tips do you find helpful?
Which of these tips would you start practicing today?

What other useful tip would you like to add? Please share with us in the comment box below.

In self development November 14, 2022 By Women of Rubies

Top Seven Tips to Help You Ace That Job Interview

If you have spent a minute in the job hunting scene, you will agree with me that the interview process is stressful and hectic. You are trying to make a good impression while at the same time, trying to exude confidence and capability of handling the job.

Then there is the fear of doing too much or doing too little and not being called back after the interview.

I can relate with you and I understand how you feel.

Sure, looking professional is important and should be taken seriously. However, if you look good and don’t know how to conduct yourself throughout the interview, you probably won’t get the job. It’s that simple.

There is an art to doing a good job during the interview, and this article is here to show you how.

Dress Like You Already Have The Job.

The most basic of all the interview tips is to come dressed professionally. My tip? Dress like you already have the job. What I mean by that is actually going to the company’s website and having a look at their employee pictures. Most companies have those, and you can see what kind of clothes they’re wearing.

If they don’t have those, then go with the tried and true interview uniform:

Black or navy slacks
White blouse or button-down
A structured blazer
Pointed-toe pumps or ballet flats
Structured bag

You can never go wrong with this professional attire.

Do Your Homework.

The easiest way to show your interviewer that you are keen on getting the position you are interviewing for is to know about the company. Go on their website or social media account and really read up about them.

Write down their mission statement along with any cool information you find out about the company. At the interview, when asked, “So, why do you want to work here?”, use something you found out about them earlier in your answer! This is the easiest way to impress your interviewer.

Be Friendly.

This completely goes without saying, but be friendly. Have a smile throughout the interview as it makes you look approachable. Friendliness goes a long way at interviews. Interviewers are more likely to hire someone who is easy to talk to and approachable than someone who looks super serious and stern. Unless, of course, the job you are interviewing for is one which needs that kind of a look.

Be Confident.

Along with being friendly, show the interviewer that you are also confident in your skills. If you’re not somebody who is naturally confident, practice saying your answers out loud at home or with a friend. Doing that will get you ready and eliminate the unnecessary umms that might come when you’re unprepared.

Also, try to remember that the interviewer will probably make you feel as comfortable as can be. They usually know that people get nervous during an interview, so don’t sweat it if you get a little nervous.

Don’t Lie On Your Resume.

One of the biggest interview tips I have is to be truthful on your resume. Trying to seem like you know it all and including things that aren’t true on your resume are going to get you in trouble. Don’t do it. If you can’t speak French, don’t have it as one of the languages you’re fluent in. Imagine how embarrassed you will be when the interviewer starts speaking to you in French.

Clean Up Your Social Media.

Something a lot of interviewers and HR personnel do these days is looking people up on social media. It’s a good idea to either clean up any pictures you wouldn’t want your future employer looking at, or setting your accounts as private.

The thing to remember here is that you will, hopefully, be representing the company. Most employers probably won’t want someone working for them who post inappropriate content online.

Ask Questions.

At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer. This is a good chance for you to find out additional information about the job, as well as the working environment.

Some good questions to ask are:

What’s your favorite thing about working here?
What does a typical day look like here?
What do you think are some qualities which will make a person excel in this role?
What are the expectations of someone working in this role?

Which of these tips resonate with you?
What other interview tips do you have yo share with others? Do share them in the comment box below.

In Health August 27, 2021 By Women of Rubies

10 Simple Quick Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Our bodies are delicate! Too few calories and too many workouts will literally spike cortisol and prevent you from losing weight. Too many calories and too few workouts and well, we’ve all been there.

So what am I getting at?

My point is that there are several secrets that these seemingly effortless fit people incorporate, knowingly or not, that greatly contribute to their health and wellness. The good news is, you can incorporate those things too!

1. Make It Fit Your Current Lifestyle!

If you find healthy food to fit into your lifestyle, you’re already a step ahead of the rest. The key to getting fit effortlessly is to make it fit your lifestyle in a way you LOVE!! If you enjoy it and it’s easy, you’ll find yourself reaching your goals without even realizing it.

2. Remove Sugar from Your Diet

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine. While most foods you can absolutely enjoy in moderation, a little sugar with sugar addiction can trigger poor habits. If you’ve found that it’s impossible to slowly cut out sugar and it’s constantly causing you to rebound, cutting it out entirely might be the way to go!
I know this might not seem effortless, and it’s not. But once it’s taken care of, life becomes a whole lot more simple.

3. Incorporate HIIT

You’ve probably already heard of HIIT by now. It stands for high-intensity interval training and is the key to short and powerful workouts. It boosts something called Excessive Post Oxygen Consumption (EPOC), which basically keeps you burning calories throughout the whole day!
These workouts are insanely powerful at getting results and hardly take any time. The key is when you are in a “working zone”, you’ve got to work it hard!

4. Low Stress

Some people think that the reason stress is detrimental is because it triggers overeating. But that’s only a small picture of the truth. There is so much more to fitness than “calorie in vs calorie out” like many would like to believe.
The truth is that the hormones which control our body metabolism play an important role and it can be extremely difficult to stay in shape with high cortisol. So, cut down your stress to the barest minimum. “Work smarter, not harder” applies just as much to fitness as to any other area of life.

5. Keep Your Workout Clothes by Your Bed

The best way to get your mind prepped is by setting up your workout clothes right by your bed for the morning.
It’s far easier to resist the urge to hit snooze when all of yesterday’s intentions are literally staring you in the face. Another trick is to keep an inspiring photo by your bed for a quick glint of morning inspiration.

6. Do Not Starve!

Your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) will increase whenever your body is stressed. That means if you are overworking and undereating, your body will stop losing weight. Which is clearly counter-productive!
One of the most important things that people forget to do is fuel themselves for workouts. It’s ideal to eat some simple carbs before a workout, like a piece of fruit, to give you a rush of carbs that you can instantly burn into energy. After that, you’ll want to follow up with at least 30 grams of protein and 30 grams of carbs to replenish.

7. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting has nothing to do with starving yourself! It simply has to do with eating within a certain time frame.

8. Eat off of a Small Blue Plate

This is scientifically proven. First off, our minds can find it hard to resist food sitting in front of us. In other words, if we have a large plate full of food, we’re more likely to eat it all until it’s done.
But what does the “Blue” have to do with anything?
The color blue is actually scientifically proven to be an appetite suppressant. Essentially, eating off of a blue plate will help reduce your cravings and make you feel satisfied much sooner!

9. What Are You REALLY Craving?

Sometimes, a craving might be your body telling you something! Our bodies are brilliant, and our cravings can often just be a sign that we are missing something important.
Often, people who crave chocolate are just low in magnesium. A constant need for red meat might mean low iron. Sugar cravings could very likely just be a blood-sugar response signaling a need for more protein and healthy fats in your diet.
If you have specific cravings, then you might benefit from taking a look at the root cause of them. Don’t ignore it when your body is trying to get your attention, but don’t give in to its first reaction either.

Discover what your body truly needs, and fix the problem, not the symptom.

10. Drink a TON of Water!

This is probably one of the most important keys to having a healthy life. If you drink a lot of water, you will see amazing results! Add some tea bags or fruit to flavor it, add some lemon, or just drink it plain!
The best trick is to ALWAYS have a water bottle with you and ALWAYS be sipping. You can opt for a water bottle with a straw, this way, it makes it even more enjoyable.

Final thoughts

There you have it. 10 simple tips you can deploy to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Which one are you familiar with? Which one are you practicing? Which of them would you try out? Do share with us in the comment box.

In Tips June 7, 2021 By Women of Rubies

8 SIMPLE WAYS TO GET MORE THINGS DONE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

In today’s post, I am going to share 8 ways in which you can get more done in your day. Without exhausting yourself, may I add!

Let’s face it. Adulting comes with a whole lot of responsibilities, deadlines, commitments, and things to do.

Often, we tend to find ourselves with a whole lot of to-do list left at the end of the day. I can’t be the only one who sometimes wonders where the day has gone!

If this sounds like you too, then you’re going to love these hacks! Since incorporating them into my (almost) daily routine, I’ve been able to get more done in a shorter amount of time.

So, let’s dive in, 8 simple ways to get more things done in your day.

1. Wake up earlier

This one is a no-brainer, but when you wake up earlier than you usually do, you have a lot more time to be productive. You don’t have to wake up hours earlier, either. Anywhere between half an hour to an hour earlier than usual will do. Waking up early is one of those things that many people hate the idea of, but our bodies are capable of getting used to waking up earlier with time.

Wake up earlier than you do each day and you’d be amazed at how much you have been able to do before 9AM.

Which leads us right into the second hack.

2. Have a to-do list

One of my favorite things to do to stay productive is having a to-do list. To-do lists help me stay on track and help me remember important deadlines or things I should do.

I also find that they help with keeping me accountable, and I get more done in my day than when I don’t jot down everything I need to do.

A simple hack to creating a to-do list is write down all you need to do the next day the night before and tick them off as you get them done.

Easy, Peasy.

3. Make use of your driving/waiting time

Many of us spend long periods of time driving to and from places. To use that time efficiently, we can work on personal development instead of constantly listening to music.

I personally like listening to podcasts or audiobooks. I find that they help me pass the time in a productive manner. Rather than sit still in traffic or waiting for somebody, put in that time to listen to an uplifting podcast or read a book, or do something really beneficial to your mind, body and soul as much as the waiting environment permits.

4. Prepare your outfits ahead of time

This one is a personal favorite of mine. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I rushed in the mornings because I “didn’t have anything to wear”. It is even worse if you hate to dress up because the burden of having to find the best outfit to wear cripples you.

Now, once week or whenever I have some free time, I pick out outfits to wear for the entire week. This saves so much time in the mornings when I’m getting ready to go out.

I also do the same for special occasions. Having something nice to wear ready and ironed saves me a ton of time that I could put towards doing something more productive.

5. Work in 30-minute windows

Another favorite of mine, with good reason! Whenever I have a lot to do during the day, I like to work in 30-minute windows. I set an alarm for 30 minutes, and work as fast and best as I can during these 30 minutes. Sometimes I give myself a 10-minute break after the 30 minutes are up, but most of the time I find that I can keep that momentum and work for a longer period of time.

Breaking your work helps your mind stay productive, give your eyes some breather especially if you work with a computer. And you also get the opportunity to stretch your back and your legs.

It’s a win-win.

6. Ten-minute cleaning zones

Cleaning is one of those things that many of us don’t enjoy doing, but can’t really get out of doing.

Well, I found a hack which I personally really like and find very effective! Basically, what you do is you set your timer for 10 minutes, and clean as much as you can in these 10 minutes. You’d be surprised at how much you can get done in just that short amount of time!

7. Cook more food than you will eat

This is a little bit of a meal-prep tip. Instead of cooking dinner for just one night, double the recipe and cook for the next night as well.

That way, you’re spending the same amount of time on two portions as you would on just one portion of food!

Cooking in large quantities not only save cooking time, but is also a way to cut down financial cost of cooking.

8. Don’t do it all by yourself. Delegate as much as you can.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help whenever you need it.

If you are able to give certain tasks to other people, do it. This can be in the form of somebody watching your kids while you get some work done, using a delivery service for your groceries instead of going to the supermarket yourself, or even hiring an assistant to help you with whatever you need done.

Having others help you will not only help you get more done, but it will also help you rest and not worry about everything all by yourself.

BONUS POINT : Use the one-minute rule

The one-minute rule has changed my life. If you have no idea what it is, it’s very simple.

Any tasks that require one minute or less to complete, you do without any hesitation.

Some examples include: making your bed, putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher, and picking something up after it has fallen on the floor.

If you can do it in one minute, don’t delay. Just do it.

I hope these simple hacks work for you and improves your productivity as much as it has improved mine.

In lifestyle June 6, 2021 By Women of Rubies

9 Regular Sunday Habits For A Productive And Worry-Free Week

Have there been weeks where Monday starts and you already feel like you’re behind? That can easily be avoided by implementing these smart Sunday habits!

I know I’m not the only one who some weeks scrambles to get things done because there “isn’t enough time”. There is always time, but it comes down to being organized and prepared.

Of course, sometimes beyond our control happen and you can’t predict every single moment of every day, but being prepared for what you DO know will happen will make all the difference.

1. Plan out your week

One of the easiest ways of staying on top of your game and have a smooth week is planning it out.

Here are some things to put into your planner:

Appointments: doctor/dentist, salon services, etc
Intentions: write down anything you want to accomplish this week. Drinking more water, getting 8 hours of sleep, waking up at a certain time.
Habit tracker
Class schedule/work schedule.
Work/school meetings

2. Clean out your purse

Throughout the week, your work or school bag probably accumulates a lot of junk. Don’t worry, mine does too.

Sunday is the perfect time to clean out your bag and get it ready for the following week.

The best way that I have found to do that is to take everything out, shake the bag upside down to get rid of any dust, tiny papers and other dirt, and then put everything back.

I personally like to keep things in little bags inside my purse. I have a little bag for my charger and headphones, another one for my makeup, and another little bag for feminine products and medication.

This helps keep everything organized, and helps me know where everything is if I need something in a hurry.

3. Grocery shop and meal prep

Making your own food takes some time, but if you prep on Sundays, you will have less to do during the week.

Going shopping on the weekend is going to ensure that you have everything you need for your meals throughout the week, so definitely don’t skip this step.

Making a weekly menu before going shopping also helps, because that way you’re going to use up the food you buy. No wasted money there.

4. Clean your home

One of the worst things when coming home after a long day of work or school is coming home to a mess.

Cleaning up before the week starts is a great way to stay organized. After all, who wants to come home to a messy place all week?

Change your sheets, dust, vacuum, and clean your kitchen during the weekend. You’ll thank yourself later.

5. Do your laundry

I know I’m not the only one who hates doing laundry, but doesn’t it feel SO good to get it done?

Imagine how much better you’d feel if you came home to clean and folded laundry, rather than coming home to your clothes spilling out of the laundry basket.

Not only is this going to help you get peace of mind, it’s also going to make it a lot easier getting dressed each morning.

6. Pick out your outfits

A HUGE timesaver is to prepare the outfits you’re going to be wearing the following week on Sunday. Clothing, accessories, shoes- the works.

If you want to be super organized, you can hang each outfit together on one hanger, and hang them all next to each other in your closet.

That way, when you wake up in the morning and have little energy, you already have outfits prepped and ready to be put on!

How’s THAT for saving time?

7. Set your goals

Setting goals is another Sunday habit you should consider.

Setting small and achievable goals for the week is half the work in getting them done. You can write your goals in your planner to have them where you can see them every day.

The more you see your goals, the more likely you are to achieve them.

8. Check your bank account

Don’t be one of those people who have no idea what they have in their bank accounts.

Checking your bank account at the end of the week will help you get some perspective on what your everyday spending looks like.

You can work on financial goals so much better when you periodically check your bank statements and know what’s going on there.

9. Indulge in self-care

Being productive and on top of things is great, but we also can’t forget to recharge our batteries.

Sundays are perfect for that. You can finish up your week with a little Netflix and chill and relax, which will help you get ready for the week ahead.

In lifestyle May 27, 2021 By Women of Rubies

How to Be a Better Parent: 11 Important Things to Do

Two of the most challenging jobs in the world are raising a human being and being the best parent possible for them. Raising a child without implementing specific rules is not enough, however. The job has to be done in such a way that when you’re “done,” you’ve already created a loving, responsible, self-sufficient, kind-hearted, thoughtful, empathic, and respectful persona. Hence, it is ideal to lower the bar a little and start learning how to be a better parent.

Don’t get me wrong; mistakes will be made along the way. You won’t be perfect, regardless of how hard you try.

And no matter how great a job you do, your child may have issues beyond your control. Remember, they will be born with a will of their own that may conflict with yours.

Nevertheless, carrying out the following tips will provide you with the best chance to create a fantastic human being of whom you can be proud.

1. Listen

Children are interesting, funny, and curious, and they look upon you — their parent — as a hero. They have a wealth of knowledge and a great perspective on life. Listening to your child is one of the greatest gifts you can offer. They will feel valued and grow up knowing that they matter.

It’s not always easy to listen. Sometimes, children will carry on without saying anything profound. But if they believe you’re listening, they will feel important and provide you with amazing nuggets of information.

Note: Make a real and honest effort when you are listening to your children. Don’t listen while multitasking and muttering, “Hmm, that’s nice, dear!”
In his book, The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck, M. D., wrote, “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time. True listening, total concentration on the other, is always a manifestation of love.”

2. Provide Unconditional Love

Providing unconditional love creates a secure bond and a healthy person. Knowing you have your parent’s love no matter what makes a fantastic anchor for the child. They know they can mess up and still be loved. They know they can come to you with their worst offenses, and while you might get upset, your love will remain intact.

3. Teach by Example

Children watch and listen to you very closely. You may think that they’re not paying attention, that they’re in the other room, playing with their Legos, but they are listening.

If you want to teach your child, lead by example.

For instance, if you want them to eat healthy foods, eat healthy foods. If you don’t want them to pick up bad habits, like smoking, don’t smoke. If you don’t want them to be violent, be peaceful. If you wish to raise a trustworthy child, keep your word.

If you want to teach your child how to communicate, speak kindly and listen with an open heart. Whatever you want your child to learn, be willing to do it yourself. You are the best teacher for the job!

4. Spend Time Together Often

Life is full of work, errands, get-togethers, appointments, etc. It’s easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle and not leave enough time for your children.

You can avoid being an absentee parent by spending time with your children every day. Talk to them about anything; ask about their day. If you can, allow them to help you with household chores. E.g., cleaning, folding laundry or stacking dishes in the dishwasher.

5. Follow Through

Following through creates trust in your child. They will believe that what you say you’re going to do will genuinely be done.

Children are very perceptive, they are always watching and listening. You see, when parents say things and end up not doing them, they become empty threats — words without any back-up.

Following through is critical in raising a responsible adult. You need to be kind, clear, and concise.

The child has to know that you mean business. If you tell them they’re not having a sleepover unless their homework is done, then the homework better be done. If it’s not, there will be no sleepover. Just make sure that whatever the consequences are for your kids’ bad behavior, you can back it up with action.

6. Focus on Positive Qualities

There is an old American proverb that says, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil.” It is used to communicate the notion that the most clamorous problems are the ones that will more than likely get noticed.

If your child is well-behaved and minding their own business, you might be tempted to let them be. On the other hand, if they are acting out and making a raucous, they may get a lot of attention.

This sends the message that the kids have to misbehave before you focus on them. Bad attention, after all, is better than no attention.

Positive attention is paramount. If you only pay attention to your child’s negative behavior while ignoring their positive qualities, you are robbing them the chance of being their best selves.

7. Apologize When Necessary

We all make mistakes. There are some parents, however, who don’t apologize no matter how many mistakes they make with their children. They incorrectly assume that apologizing is a sign of weakness.

“Apologizing to your child is a sign of respect for the overall relationship you have with him.”

Making mistakes is human. I guarantee you that your child will not think less of you. If you fail to apologize, you miss out on a teachable moment about the importance of taking responsibility.

You may find it difficult to apologize because you feel superior or fear losing your authority. In truth, your child will see you as a human, and they may feel closer to you than ever.

Show your kid that no one is perfect, that you all make mistakes in life. Apologies can correct so many wrongs. Just a few simple words can cure the worst transgressions.

8. Allow Kids to Be Who They Want to Be

Allow your child to be who they want to be, not who you think they should be. After all, it is their life — their journey. You’re just there to watch and provide guidance whenever necessary.

9. Grow Along With Your Children

Children grow and evolve, just like us. It’s important to grow with them and adjust the way you discipline and talk to them.

For example, if your 4-year-old misbehaves by bending the truth or whining, you may ignore their antics and stay calm with regards to the lying. This is common for this age group.

If you’re dealing with an 8-year-old, your child understands the difference between right and wrong and looks to you for guidance.

Meanwhile, teens need to be addressed in another way. That is a difficult and challenging age group — one that deserves great care and attention. You cannot talk to your 16-year-old as if they were still 9!

10. Validate Their Feelings

While growing up, lots of things that generate a multitude of feelings happen. As a parent, you want to take the time to validate your child’s feelings. Don’t be dismissive and act like their feelings are not important.

If you do not validate your child’s feelings, they will think that their feelings are unimportant and learn not to share them at all. You don’t want that, of course.

You want to have your finger on the pulse of their emotions. You need to make sure they come to you in the future when heavier things come down the pipe. Listen and communicate with compassion.

11. Ask Open-Ended Questions

This not only works with children but also with adults. For example, when you ask someone, “Do you like your job?”, they may answer yes or no. But if you say, “What do you like or dislike about your job?”, you’ll get a lot of information.

Open-ended questions are the key to getting more information than you’ll know what to do with!

Final Thoughts

Being a good and responsible parent can be one of the most rewarding tasks in the world. It is not effortless, however. It takes a lot of work and patience.

Implementing the above-mentioned 11 suggestions won’t guarantee a perfect family, but you will have a solid base to build and grow upon.

Your child is a reflection of you. What do you wish them to reflect?

In Career Gems March 16, 2021 By Women of Rubies

5 Easy Ways to Buy Airline Tickets With A VPN at a Cheaper Rate

Everyone wants to beat the system and get better value for money online. Sadly, for the most part, the system has the ability to snatch as much extra penny out of your pocket as possible. The good news is that there are ways to play the game and get around those systems.

Here’s what you can do to buy cheap flights using VPN:

Clear your cookies

Every time you use your computer or mobile device to access websites like Expedia, American Airlines or Google Flights, those websites leave cookies on your devices. Those cookies let companies track you. That way, they can use information about you to compel you to purchase tickets.

One clever trick that vendors use to encourage consumers to buy tickets is to slightly increase the price of tickets by twenty or thirty dollars. This makes consumers panic-buy the ticket “before they go up again”.

Clearing your cookies and concealing your real IP address with a VPN will usually be enough to get you the original price.

Conceal your real IP address with a VPN

A Virtual Private Network allows you to conceal your real IP address from airline ticket vendors. This, along with clearing your cookies, can ensure you aren’t served an inflated price.

Your IP address is an indicator of your spending power. In addition, it can be used to track you. This means that your purchasing history may be attached to your IP address. It could pump up the cost of tickets.

Pretend to be in the destination location with a VPN

In addition to concealing your real location, there are benefits to selecting specific locations with the VPN. Online ticket vendors quote different prices depending on where consumers live. This is due to their perceived spending power.

Consumers have previously reported that setting a VPN to purchase a ticket from the final destination can help to reduce the cost of a ticket.

Pretend to be in a foreign country

Perhaps the best method for buying cheaper tickets is to pretend to live in a foreign country like India. Some countries earn less which means that they are sometimes quoted less. Some reports suggest that the cost of a ticket depends on the local currency.

At the end of the day, there is no set method for getting cheaper tickets with a VPN. However, it is definitely worth shopping around a bit by trying out different locations.

Use private browsing mode

Private browsing mode is a great way to do research about possible travel locations without ending up with tons of cookies on your devices. The combination of a VPN and private browsing mode gives you the best opportunity of having a fresh slate when you are quoted a price.

Remember that airline companies and air ticket vendors want to sell you the most expensive ticket that you can afford. This means that if it knows your shopping habits or your capability to afford business-class tickets, it might quote you slightly more expensive prices across the board.

In self development March 16, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Entrepreneurs: 8 Ways You Can Fund Your Business

As an entrepreneur or startup owner, you will agree that a major concern you face is financing your business.

With minimal experience and no business background, entrepreneurs find it very hard to get the money at the initial level. Be it working capital or provision for the troubled times, you need money to run and grow your business.

Here are some ways you can raise funds to fund your business/ideas.

Generally, there are two known ways you can fund your business – Equity and Debt.

The equity option enable entrepreneurs to fund their business by providing an ownership stake to an investor. Here, there is no obligation of repayment. But then, you need to give up a part of your ownership in the business. And you can also make you lose control over the company in the long run.

The debt option is likened to taking a loan for a specific period. You have to pay interest on the amount. Here, the ownership of your company is not at stake. But, if for some reason, you fail to repay the loan, the lender can take your company into liquidation. In such a scenario, you lose your company. The debt option is worth only when you have a strong financial backup.

Let’s get into the different funds available.

Equity-based Funding

Self-funding

This is the safest way of funding for your startup. You can either use savings, personal debt, or both for your business. Also, you can consider selling assets like a second home or a property to generate cash for your company.

Friends and family

This is a source of both equity and debt funding. Though this seems a handy source of funding, you need to remain cautious while assigning part of your business among friends and family members. Many businesses fail because key parts of business go into the wrong hands. Also, when the capital erodes, it hurts feelings and ruins friendships.

Angel investors and Crowdfunding

Affluent investors can bring capital in the startups. They are known as angel investors as they are always willing to invest in ideas they find lucrative in the future. Angel investors can also form a group of investors to spread risks and assist you to do extensive research. Local angels and the Chamber of Commerce are also good sources for funding your business at the initial stage.

Crowdfunding is also a concept similar to angel investors. The only difference here is that there is a large number of people or investors who contribute to your startup idea as per their wish. Crowdfunding has certain norms and its success rate is lower than that of angel investment. Crowdfunding is based either on equity, debt, or rewards. You can select the most suitable platform from hundreds of crowdfunding platforms.

Partnership

This is one of the strongest sources of funding for your business. Strategic partners can not only bring investment but also give new thoughts to take the business to the next level. Partners can also help your business by managing key processes. Let’s take the example of a property management company. A strategic partnership with a property maintenance company can help this company to provide 360-degree solutions.

Debt-related Funding

Lenders

Many lenders and organizations lend money to small businesses and startups. They lend money either at higher interest rates or ask for assets as security. Here, the interest rate is a bit tricky. For example, if the interest rate is 3% and the term is one month, then the actual annual interest rate is 36%. This is quite high as compared to a 3% rate.

Lenders are of two types- Traditional and Government lenders.

Traditional lenders can be the first choice. Banks and credit unions are included in this type. This type of lenders, however, do not fund any innovative or experimental ideas.

Government lenders work with the government arms to get more funds with some risks.

7a Loans

It is a type of loan that assists startups or businesses that have no collateral. Entrepreneurs with no personal or business assets are the most eligible candidates for this type of loan. However, a common man may not get this type of loan. What makes this loan attractive for entrepreneurs is the fact that the 7a loan has simple T&Cs. Entrepreneurs need to give a repayment guarantee of 85% to take this loan.

Banks

Both government and private banks lend SMEs and startups. But they need a track record and want to secure their loans by some of your assets. Banks are, however, not much friendly for SMEs and startups. Many entrepreneurs tend to stay away from banks at the initial stage because they have issues of both working capital and initial funding. In today’s time, banks have quickly become out of focus for entrepreneurs.

Venture Capitalists

They are basically the innovators of the business world. They’re constantly in search of entrepreneurs with lucrative ideas. If your idea is capable of working at a small level, you can easily convince a VC (Venture Capitalist) to support your business. VCs provide funds in two ways — equity or debt. Venture capitalists can lead your business to succeed at the international level.

Some venture capitalist companies invest in businesses by offering scholarships to entrepreneurs. Techpreneurs can leverage the benefits of these scholarships and become owners of small companies or startups at a young age. What’s more, your company can get money along with qualified business mentors through such venture capitalist companies. Simply put, VCs can assist you to launch your products while guiding your company at the initial level.

The SBA (Small Business Administration) is also a considerable debt option. It has many options but these options need a guarantee of repayment.

In Conclusion

Many options are available to fund your business at the initial level. If you have a unique idea that you think it is worth investing, you can certainly explore various options and find the ideal one for your startup. But first, be sure you have a solid business plan in place and you have done all to be sure your business is profitable and will scale.

In Tips March 10, 2021 By Women of Rubies

How to Handle Difficult Situations In Life

In life, we often come across difficult times which we don’t really know how to handle. Perhaps you lost your dream job or you broke up with the love of your life. It could also be that you’re grieving the loss of your loved one. During these times, you’ll need support from your friends and family.

But how do we keep it together when we are burdened with such pain and grief? How can we ever feel alright again?

To be honest, no one can make you feel better unless you are ready and you really want to be okay with not being okay. You have to go through the process of grieving if you want to be alright. As a way to help you, here are some tips on how to handle difficult situations in life.

Feel the pain.

The only way out is through.

If you feel sad or disappointed, that’s okay. You need to feel these emotions if you want them to go away. Often, we keep everything bottled up and we refuse to feel our emotions because we are afraid to feel the pain. But if you don’t feel the pain now, it will keep haunting you over and over again.

So feel the pain. It will be hard and it will depress you. In the long run, however, it will serve you. Not feeling what you feel will only make it worse.

Accept what is.

Acceptance is hard. We never want to admit that we are hurt. We are so afraid to feel that we are not able to accept that our hearts are broken.

We go through a lot every day. When we are screwed every now and then, we just shut down our feelings and hope that they will go away. But it never works that way. We have to feel what we are feeling.

Think of 5 things you are grateful for.

Every morning, when you wake up, think of 5 things you are grateful for. Do that instead of thinking of all the things that make you sad. It can be about how much you love your pet or your husband or mother. You can be grateful for the food you are about to eat and whatever else that comes to your mind.

Give thanks and the good energy will flow. Being grateful makes us feel content and satisfied. This will help you to keep it together through your difficult time.

Keep a journal.

Keeping a journal always helps.

Write down all the things you feel. It can be the grief you feel or the way you felt when you talked to that lovely lady who offered you a ride. Writing down feelings goes a long away.

I am a firsthand witness. I can assure you that writing down my feelings has helped me to get past my difficult times. Things seemed heavy at first, but writing them down helped.

Keeping everything together while you are hurting is brave, but knowing how to handle difficult situations in life may help. With them, you can turn your pain into a source of power and you will know how to do the rest.