S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Summer Travel Made Easier

2011-06-28T13:48:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you - but I love to travel. By car, by train, by boat, by plane - no matter how I get there - I love it! One of the things that makes it a drag is dealing with security when you hit a checkpoint. Another is finding everything you need without having to empty out your entire bag! Well - S1 Bags take care of both of my pet peeves.

Okay, you're thinking that the bags are from my company, of course I think that they are great when dealing with these issues. Honestly - they really ARE! There is nothing like going through airport security and not having to take my laptop out of the bag. Or getting somewhere, not having time to unpack, and being able to see what I need inside my bag. My two favorite traveling bags are the S1 checkpoint friendly laptop bag and gym bag.

Contrary to what you might think - the checkpoint friendly laptop bags are NOT clear~its the design that makes them checkpoint friendly. We worked very closely with the TSA to make sure we met all their guidelines so travelers could go through security checkpoints with ease! Nothing like opening the flap of your bag, putting it flat on the belt, and leaving your laptop where it is, safely surrounded by a half-inch of padding.

The gym bag is my favorite"luggage" because it has 3 side compartments and a large main compartment to hold everything I need for work or play! The side pockets are large enough for my shoes, travel bag and toiletries. The main compartment is large enough for up to a weeks worth of clothing. Best of all - the adjustable strap has a shoulder saving pad and is long enough to be worn across your body. This is so much more comfortable than hanging it from your shoulder.

No matter what bag you need - S1 has a great line of bags to fit that need. Take a moment and see what we have for YOU! Come and see why we are S1 - the CLEAR Advantage!

S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!: Heightened Security for Travelers

2011-05-05T11:47:00.000-04:00

S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!: Heightened Security for Travelers

Heightened Security for Travelers

2011-05-05T11:32:00.003-04:00

Well - this past week has brought an element of closure for most of the world - but not all. Nothing will ever bring back those lost that sunny day in September almost ten years ago, nothing. The aftermath has been felt across the country and around the world. The United States lost our innocence that day and nothing will ever bring it back. We joined ranks with countries spanning the globe that have been ravaged by terrorism and we will stand united with you always.

In the coming days and weeks and months security will become even more of an issue, especially for travelers. How I wish I began S1~Safety First because I thought it would be cool for school and that a clear bag would make it easier for kids in a hurry to find their belongings. Sadly that was not the case. S1 Bags began as one mom to another I tried to design and develop a line of bags to keep our schools safe because of what two boys did in a place called Columbine.

It would be wonderful if we added the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpack cause they were easy. They were added in response to the TSA's request and designed based on Federal guidelines that make them "checkpoint friendly". This request from the TSA was in response to the heightened security after that day in September that forever changed us.

Fellow American's and as a member of the human race, I stand with you united in the love our our country and our brothers and sisters around the world. We will not be defeated, terrorism will not win and S1 will be there meeting your every need and keeping our schools, offices, airports, sports arenas and other public venues safe. Together, we can make a difference.

Why Clear? See Why S1 is the CLEAR Advantage!

2011-04-29T11:44:00.003-04:00

As safety issues become more the focal point of our daily lives, how do we find the balance between privacy and security? So often people ask me if I feel uncomfortable carrying a clear bag. I always say that I would rather have someone see what is in my bag than dump in out the name of safety. To me it is less intrusive to have things visible rather than having someone rifle through my things.

In designing and developing S1 Bags we took into consideration privacy and security at the same time. Let’s face it – everyone knows what we have in our bags ladies and gentlemen. Do you honestly think that because someone can “see” what you have it puts your possessions in greater peril than if it were “hidden” in your bag? Realistically, the answer is no. If anything, when entering a public venue where you go through security screenings, carrying a clear bag makes it easier on everyone and your belongings are not taken out and for all to see. They remain safely in your bag! Not only that, but you spend less time at security checkpoints – a win-win for everyone.

As a fellow traveler, I know how distressing it is to deal with checkpoints and applaud the TSA for setting forth guidelines for the development of checkpoint friendly laptop bags. S1 designed two different checkpoint friendly laptop bags and a checkpoint friendly laptop backpack. Understand that it is not the “clear” that makes S1’s laptop bags checkpoint friendly! It is not – it is the design of the bags – which meet all Federal TSA guidelines as checkpoint friendly. Your laptop is secure in a fully lined and padded compartment. In fact, S1 checkpoint friendly bags have a ½ inch padded compartment that safeguards your laptop when in use. What makes it checkpoint friendly is that the bag opens and lies flat as it goes through the scanner. The front flap does have the patented S1 clear feature for your peripherals and information, but rest assured, your laptop is safe and secure.

Take a look at what S1 has to offer – visit www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com for our laptop bags and www.s1bags.com to see our full line. S1 has an ever expanding line of bags to meet your every need. Whether for school, business, sports, going to ball games or traveling across town or across the continents, S1 has a bag for all your needs. Come see why we are S1 – the CLEAR advantage!

Easier Travel - Are You Part of the Solution

2011-04-19T15:54:00.001-04:00

There are so many ways to make travel and safety co-exist - are you doing your part? When I travel, which is fairly often, there are little things that I do to make things easier for myself, security and those waiting behind me on the check-in line. You know, that endless line that seems to go on forever; the place where privacy has no place.

No matter how cold it is I wear my sandals -sometimes with socks- that slip right off. I don't wear anything with metal or wire - anywhere! No belt buckles or cute buttons - nothing that can set off the dreaded alarm! All my carry-on items are in a clear bag, whether it is a backpack or gym bag, both fit in the overhead bin. My toiletries are in a clear pouch in the front of side pocket of my carry-on. I also carry a checkpoint friendly laptop bag so I no longer need to remove my laptop and put it in the plastic bin. No chance of me dropping it - or forgetting it - in my haste to get my things. Thanks to the TSA who wanted to speed up check-in time and reduce breakage! They created guidelines that gave specific instructions as to what makes a bag checkpoint friendly. It must lie flat, nothing can be in with your laptop and nothing can obstruct your laptop from the x-ray machine. Simple as that.

Where can you find great quality items that make travel easier! Right here at S1 Bags! Alright, this blog is a direct promotion of my company - but can I help it if my company has designed and developed a line of bags that make safety and convenience possible! You can find our checkpoint friendly bags at www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com and our clear bags and backpacks at www.s1bags.com. Don't get confused - just because S1 has a line of clear bags and backpacks it is NOT the clear that makes our checkpoint friendly bags checkpoint friendly! It is the design - your laptop is in a fully padded compartment and there is a clear flap in front for your boarding pass, id and peripherals - another great feature of our bags!

We know you will love the quality of our products and the way they make it easier to travel. Be part of the solution - carry an S1 bag and cut down on the time you spend on security checkpoints. Visit our web sites and find out why we are S1 - the CLEAR Advantage!

This Week on Word of Mom

2011-03-28T13:59:00.007-04:00

Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio

On March 31st on BlogTalkRadio Word of Mom is talking with Beth Butler - better known as Boca Beth - who has made it fun for our children to learn Spanish as a second language. Beth began her journey when her daughter was 14 months old and enrolled in a pre-school to encourage interaction. Beth would visit the school and would write songs to melodies of familiar children’s music. For instance, she used the tune to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and wrote new words to match the beat while introducing a brand new concept of how to say “Hi” and “Bye” in English as well as “Hola” and “Adiós” in Spanish. Little children (being the sponges that they are between the ages of birth to five) soaked up the new songs quickly, asking for “More Boca Beth / Más Boca Beth” with each visit made to their preschool. Thus the Boca Beth program was born!!! Her goal is to create better communication within our increasingly diverse society by providing a fun and easy introduction to Spanish and English with music, movement and creativity. The program now features 4 bilingual CD's. 3 bilingual educational movies, color/activity books, puppets and more. Join us on BlogTalkRadio at 2pmEST/11amPST on the 31st and find out more about the Boca Beth way! Follow Word of Mom on Twitter @Dori_WordofMom, join the Word of Mom Facebook Fan Page or email me at dori.wordofmom@gmail.com for more information. You can join the conversation by calling Word of Mom at 347 850 8994 during the live broadcast.

Word 0f Mom on MomTV

Word of Mom on MomTV this Thursday 4pmET/1pmPT is taking a proactive turn and sharing Jill Starishevsky an Assistant District Attorney in New York City, where she has prosecuted hundreds of sex offenders and dedicated her career to seeking justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Outside the courtroom, Jill's fondness for writing led her to create thepoemlady.com, where she pens personalized pieces for all occasions. Her mission to protect children, along with her penchant for poetry, inspired My Body Belongs to Me, a book intended to prevent child sexual abuse by teaching 3-8 year olds their bodies are private. A mother of three, Jill is also founder of HowsMyNanny.com, a service that enables parents to purchase a license plate for their child's stroller so the public can report positive or negative nanny observations. Join us for this serious conversation and find out ways to protect your children on Word of Mom 3/31 on MomTV.

Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio and MomTV

2011-03-21T12:08:00.004-04:00

This Thursday is a jam-packed day on Word of Mom!

At 2pmEST/11amPST I will be speaking with Dr. Linette Daniels on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio. Linette is a national speaker, author and coach who, for the past 20 years, has worked with youth from the cradle through college in a variety of arenas which include public school, child care, foster care, juvenile court, social services, and youth-serving organizations.
As a single parent, Linette used her vision to see infants’ progress into developmentally strong toddlers, academically prepared preschoolers, empowered youth and successful adults. This vision enabled her to raise 12 therapeutic foster care and 2 biological children. Dr. Daniels’ believes that given the right space, tools, and training, ALL youth can succeed and her favorite activity is showing youth “how” to start a business and create the life they want to live!
For more information you can visit Linette at www.empoweringyouthforsuccess.com. Please join me and my guest co-host Heather Hetchler @CafeSmom on Word of Mom on the 24th at 2pmET/11amPT or call us at 347 850 8994 as we talk about how you have a business - and your kids need one too!

At 4pmEST/1pmPST Word of Mom on MomTV I will be talking with Moira Podgurski about her story that she shares on her blog www.IsItAnIllusion.blogspot.com. In 1985 Moira was diagnosed with Leukemia and told that she has 3-5 years to live. Our conversation will share her journey of survival - which she began 25 years ago.
Join us as Moira share her journey as a World Class Hurdler, mother of 3, business owner and survivor as we talk on MomTV at 4pmEST/1pmPST.

For more on Word of Mom, email me at dori.wordofmom@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter at Dori_WordofMom, join the Word of Mom fan page on Facebook, visit our website www.wordofmom.ning.com

The Primrose School Family Dance Off - a Benefit for the Children's Miracle Network

2011-02-18T09:23:00.006-05:00

Join me on Thursday February 24th on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio at 2pmEST/11amPST as I chat with Natosha Eskander, Owner, Primrose School at Pinnacle in Grove City, Ohio about the Family Dance off.

Shine your dancing shoes and break out your best moves because the Primrose Family Dance-off is back! Those of you who participated last year know just how much fun it was to keep up your heels and dance your hearts out with your family. Our friends at Primrose Schools can’t wait to crown another round of Family Dance-off champions- and we can’t wait to tell you about it!

With their second annual Family Dance-off, Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, is helping to fight the childhood obesity epidemic. They are partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices and quality family time, things all Moms can get behind!
Here’s how you and your family can enter the Primrose Family Dance-off competition:

1. Record a 30-second video of your family’s best dance moves. Don’t be afraid to let loose and be silly!
2. Visit www.FamilyDanceoff.com and upload your best take by March 19.
3. Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
4. View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite family dance video!

What would a competition be without prizes? Primrose Schools is providing prizes that aren’t only great for your family but for your whole community, with $65,000 in donations to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals:
· Grand Prize: $5,000 and Primrose will make a $30,000 donation to a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital
· 2nd Prize: $3,000 and Primrose will make a $20,000 donation to a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital
· 3rd Prize: $1,500 and Primrose will make a $15,000 donation to a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital
· All 14 Finalists will also receive a FLIP camcorder

Childhood obesity is a critical issue for young children in America. Dance is a fun, easy way to introduce physical activity into your family’s routine while enjoying quality time together. The Family Dance-off supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals, which collectively treat 17 million children annually for every illness and injury imaginable.

For more information visit their site at http://www.FamilyDanceoff.com or call us at 347 850 8994 and join the conversation here on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio. You can also email me at dori.wordofmom.com, follow on Twitter at Dori_WordofMom, join the Word of Mom fan page on Facebook and visit the Word of Mom website.

The Primrose School Family Dance Off - a Benefit for the Children

2011-02-18T09:23:00.001-05:00

Join me on Thursday February 24th at 2pmEST/11amPST as I chat with Natosha Eskander, Owner, Primrose School at Pinnacle in Grove City, Ohio about the Family Dance off.

Shine your dancing shoes and break out your best moves because the Primrose Family Dance-off is back! Those of you who participated last year know just how much fun it was to keep up your heels and dance your hearts out with your family. Our friends at Primrose Schools can’t wait to crown another round of Family Dance-off champions- and we can’t wait to tell you about it!

With their second annual Family Dance-off, Primrose Schools, the leader in educational child care, is helping to fight the childhood obesity epidemic. They are partnering with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices and quality family time, things all Moms can get behind!
Here’s how you and your family can enter the Primrose Family Dance-off competition:
1. Record a 30-second video of your family’s best dance moves. Don’t be afraid to let loose and be silly!
2. Visit www.FamilyDanceoff.com and upload your best take by March 19.
3. Share your video with your friends via email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
4. View and vote daily (you can place five votes per day) for your favorite family dance video!

With $65,000 in donations to local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and prizes for the finalists - this is a win-win competition - so get ready to dance away... for more information visit their site at http://www.FamilyDanceoff.com or call us at 347 850 8994 and join the conversation here on BlogTalkRadio.

The Total Woman Conference on Word of Mom

2011-02-15T11:49:00.001-05:00

On February 17 at 2pmEST/11amPST on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio I will be conversing with Princess Bola Adelani - owner of Royal Proclamations Total Life Success - and creator of the Total Women Conference.

The Total Woman Conference (TWC) is a one-day, multi-generational conference designed to provide “Total C.A.R.E. for Women in ALL Spheres of their Lives. TWC exists to Celebrate, Applaud, Refresh and Equip the Whole Woman”™. The Total Woman Conference will celebrate the uniqueness of womanhood, applaud the often overlooked achievements of women in Family, Community Development and Business. Three Women of Distinction will be recognized and applauded via our Woman of Distinction Awards.

This conference is designed to refresh, de-stress, rejuvenate and pamper the women in attendance with spa treatments, massage therapists, and cosmetologists. Equip with informational seminars from dynamic speakers who will inspire and empower you for excellence and distinction personally, professionally and spiritually, the Total Women Conference is going to be an event worth attending.

The 3rd annual conference is scheduled for April 2, 2011 8:00 am - 5:00 pm + so it is a full day of information, relaxation and rejuvenation for your business and your body. Word of Mom is one of the Event Partner of the TWC and will be broadcasting live from the event. For more information please visit http://www.totalwomanconference.com and take advantage of early registration discounts.

Tune in for Word of Mom on Thursday February 17th at 2pmEST/11amPST as Princess Bola and other guests share this unique conference with us all. You can call in and be part of the conversation at 347 850 8994, email me at Dori.wordofmom@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter @Dori_WordofMom, join the Facebook WoM fan page and become a member on our website - Wordofmom.ning.com.

A Conversation with Andrea Patten on Word of Mom

2011-02-04T09:45:00.003-05:00

What do land sales, addiction treatment and workshops for women have in common? Not much – unless you’re talking to author, trainer, women’s advocate and dot-connector Andrea Patten. That's what I am doing on February 10 at 2pm EST - 11am PST on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio.

Andrea has been inspiring women all over the world and is now taking the time to inspire here on Word of Mom. Andrea's accomplishments are many...Her Success Parent blog and her book What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement offers parents useful insights from high-achieving adults. A lifelong advocate for children and families, she currently volunteers as an Area Coordinator for the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance . Whether working with life-threatening issues or creating custom change-your-life workshops, Andrea creates profoundly honest experiences that deliver enthusiasm, joy and new perspective.

Join us as we chat on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio February 10, 2pm EST - 11am PST or be part of the conversation by calling in at 347 850 8994. For more information on Word of Mom - or to be a guest - email me at dori.wordofmom@gmail.com. Take a look at the Word of Mom Website, follow me on Twitter @Dori_WordofMom and join the Word of Mom Facebook fan page.

Dane Terrell - on Word of Mom

2011-01-28T12:36:00.003-05:00

Thursday, February 3rd Word of Mom welcomes Dane Terrell - author and film writer and my first male guest! Dane grew up in San Francisco, CA. As a child, Dane dreamed of working in the film industry. Majoring in Radio and Television Broadcasting at San Francisco State University, Dane began producing community affair programming, like "Bay Views," a culinary and cultural arts show, aired over San Francisco’s Public access channel. As a producer of “Inside The Game,” Dane produced and interviewed prominent college athletes and Major Athletic Directors such as Ted Leland of Stanford.

Also at this time, Dane took an internship at KRON 4 NEWS in San Francisco. As a production assistant, Dane accompanied Producers on remote locations and was tasked with organizing interviews and shoot locations.
It was during this time that Dane learned the value of time and professionalism to produce, top notch productions. In the studio, Dane assisted the editors in editing news packages, and coordinated between the directors and sports producers. Dane also wrote script copy for renown, sports anchor, Gary Radnich. It was here that Dane developed his passion for writing.

After obtaining his B.A. in Radio and Television from San Francisco State in 2003, Dane went to work for Entercom, LLC. With radio and television stations, countrywide, Dane served as an audio producer, producing commercials and promos. A frequent traveler, Dane has visited Spain, Italy and France, Amsterdam and Germany. Dane speaks fluent Spanish, is well versed in Italian, Catalan and Portuguese and now is taking up French.

Dane is a poet and author. He is in the process of writing his first novel, a fantasy adventure. Dane has written five-original, screenplays and is currently writing new material. Dane has optioned a short script titled, “Sour Grapes.” At this moment, Dane is producing his first, feature film “Casey.” "Casey" deals with the pain of multiple miscarriages, women alcoholics and abuse. Join us on BlogTalkRadio for Word of Mom, follow along on Twitter and Facebook, take a look at the Word of Mom website - all where MOMpreneurs have a voice.

Big Blend Magazing Back on Word of Mom

2011-01-21T11:09:00.003-05:00

On Thursday January 27th 2pmET/11amPT BigBlendMagazine is back on Word of Mom. BigBlendMagazine.com, has been owned and operated since 1997, by mother-and-daughter team Nancy J. Reid - Editor and Production Director, and Lisa D. Smith - Editor and Marketing Director. Together Nancy and Lisa offer over 40 years of marketing, photography, and editorial experience in the travel, lifestyle, leisure, special interest, hospitality, business and retail industries.

BigBlendMagazine.com got its start as a San Diego based print and online publication called The Blend Magazine. A few years later, it expanded to becoming SouthwestBlend.com covering the southwestern US states. In 2006, boasting over 1 million unique visitors per month, it became a completely online publication and expanded to being national and international in coverage. In 2008, BigBlendMagazine.com added 10 online radio shows to the mix, as well as Big Blend TV.

Now, in 2011, in celebration of 14 years in being published with over 2.7 million monthly unique visitors, and 4 years of online radio broadcasting with over 800,000 listeners, BigBlendMagazine.com is proud to announce its expansion into becoming ten online magazines, each with their own online radio show on Big Blend TV channel. Featuring articles, interviews, games and giveaways, and Big Blend Radio show schedules, BigBlendMagazines.com also publishes the The Daily Blend eNews, which is sent to over 270,000 subscribers every day.

The 10 New Radio Magazines include:
- www.ChampagneSundaysMagazine.com art, books, music and entertainment radio magazine

- www.CreativeCelebrationsMagazine.com wedding and event planning radio magazine

- www.EatDrinkBeMerryMagazine.com food and drink radio magazine

- www.GardenGossipMagazine.com home & garden radio magazine

- www.QualityofLifeMagazine.com health, spirit, family and style radio magazine

- www.RantsRavesRockMagazine.com politics, issues and rock radio magazine

- www.NatureConnectionMagazine.com nature, science and environment radio magazine

- www.SuccessExpressMagazine.com business, career and finance radio magazine

- www.VacationStationMagazine.com travel and leisure radio magazine

- www.WayBackWhenMagazine.com history and heritage radio magazine

Join us on Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio Thursday January 27, 2pm ET/11am Pt or give us a call in at 347 850 8994 and hear all about the new publications and more. For info on Word of Mom visit the Word of Mom website, follow me on Twitter Dori_S1_Bags, join the Facebook fan page DoriS1Bags or email me dori.s1bags@gmail.com.

Empowering our Youth with Dr. Linette Daniels on Word of Mom

2011-01-13T15:13:00.002-05:00

On Thursday January 20th at 2pmEST/11amPST I will be speaking with Dr. Linette Daniels on the Word of Mom show on BlogTalkRadio. Linette is a national speaker, author and coach who, for the past 20 years, has worked with youth from the cradle through college in a variety of arenas which include public school, child care, foster care, juvenile court, social services, and youth-serving organizations.

As a single parent, Linette used her vision to see infants’ progress into developmentally strong toddlers, academically prepared preschoolers, empowered youth and successful adults. This vision enabled her to raise 12 therapeutic foster care and 2 biological children.Dr. Daniels’ believes that given the right space, tools, and training, ALL youth can succeed and her favorite activity is showing youth “how” to start a business and create the life they want to live! For more information you can visit Linette at empoweringyouthforsuccess.com.

Please join us on Word of Mom on the 20th at 2pmET/11amPT or call us at 347 850 8994 as we talk about how you have a business - and your kids need one too! For more on Word of Mom, email me at dori.s1bags.com, follow me on Twitter at Dori_S1_Bags, on the Word of Mom Facebook fan page and on the web at Word of Mom.

Dr Lynne Kenney - The Family Coach Method on Word of Mom

2011-01-06T15:37:00.004-05:00

On Thursday January 13 at a special time on BlogTalkRadio - 1pmEST/10amPST Lynne Kenney, Psy.D., will be joining me on Word of Mom. Dr. Kenney is a mother of two, a practicing pediatric psychologist for 15 years at Beljan Neuropsych in Scottsdale, AZ, and the creator of The Family Coach Method. She has advanced fellowship training in forensic psychology and developmental pediatric psychology from Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School and Harbor-UCLA/UCLA Medical School. Dr. Kenney is one of "the most accessible mom media experts,” a featured contributor on on Socialmoms.com and the host of Dr. Lynne Weighs In on BlogTalk Radio. Dr. Kenney is currently a featured expert in Parents magazine and Parenting magazine. Since 2006, she has co-produced three television shows and six DVDs with Baby First TV, and hosted the Baby First TV show “Baby Basics.” Her Better Living Content has appeared on ABC, the Montel Williams Show, and various child/family websites including parentsask.com and momtastic.com. Dr. Kenney is the parenting expert on Smart Family ABC 15 in Phoenix and you can watch her every Wednesday at 3:30 pm. Her book The Family Coach Method is enjoyed by families worldwide. She also offers free parenting resources at lynnekenney.com. Join us as we chat on the 13th at 1pmEST/10amPST. For more info on Word of Mom, contact me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com, follow me on Twitter, on The Word of Mom fan page on Facebook at and on the web at Word of Mom.

Word of Mom - Mompreneurs at our BEST!

2010-12-21T12:19:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you - but I was told that is was a "man's world" and that a woman's place is in the home! Well - our place is in the home, and the board room and the senate, and someday - the White House! Women are out there in full force, and a force to be reckoned with.

More and more, mompreneurs are becoming the norm. We are NOT women who dabble in business between bake sales, we are smart, savvy businesswomen who have found the balance between raising a family and building a business. I don't know about you - but I am proud to be called a Mompreneur - because it shows that Mom has always been my most important role in life and being an entrepreneur has evolved from that role.

I wanted to build a business and not sacrifice my children doing it. For a time I was in the corporate world, and making great money I might add. Then one day my daughter became ill at school and my "boss" told me that he paid me x amount of money and that I couldn't go. Well - that was the turning point for me! I decided his money wasn't worth it and walked away. Fortunately I became involved in a MLM - which I know most people are afraid of. For me, it gave me flexible hours and a way to make good money. As I spent time in the company I began to attend different training sessions and one theme was constantly repeated as I built my "businesses" and that was, "Why word this hard to build someone's business when you can build your own!" Did that ever make sense.

I eventually left that company, but that theme kept playing on...and I have never looked back. I worked with 2 marketing company's - both times as an owner and the VP of Marketing and then finally branched out on my own. Then an event happened that changed the course of things for me. One day in Columbine two students went to school and decided to take out their rage on their classmates and teachers and a call to action happened in my heart. As a mom of three I could not imagine kissing one of my children goodbye and not having them return from school because someone brought a gun into the classroom in their backpack. Thus the "birth" of S1 - Safety First.

With four of the best people I know I set out to design and develop a line of clear bags and backpacks to assist with the safety issues being implemented in our school. More and more of them were requiring students carry clear bags or no bags - and as a mom - I know where the bags break. My children were instrumental in their design and S1 has grown from four bags to nineteen in five years. The latest addition is our checkpoint friendly laptop bags and backpacks developed with the TSA guidelines so travelers no longer need to remove their laptops at airport security checkpoints. This is why we are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Well - as the years have gone on, my need to continue to give back has grown. That is why I am beginning a MomTV segment of Word of Mom that debuts January 20, 2011 at 4pmEST/1pmPST. This is an extension of Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio which airs on Thursdays at 2pmEST/11amPST. Mom's support mom's and I wanted to continue to brand my show that celebrates the Mompreneur while sharing tips on how to grow your business, create viral marketing and still be able to stop and play with your kids when they get home. I hope that you will follow along and share as I share so we may learn from each other! Please connect with me on Twitter, join the Word of Mom fan page on Facebook, become a member of the Word of Mom website or email me directly at dori.s1bags@gmail.com and lets see how we can support each other in the coming new year.

MOMbo Media

2010-12-14T15:28:00.007-05:00

The last Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio for 2010 is Thursday, December 16th at 2pmET/11amPT - and I am talking with Kemi Ingram from MOMboTV. Kemi is the President of MOMbo Media, a company that provides social media support services to humanitarian agencies, faith-based organizations and ’responsibly produced’ consumer products. MOMbo Media works to connect moms to ‘brands and causes they can believe in.’ As a new media producer since 2006, Kemi Ingram has become a leading voice in the social media space–representing a broad audience of mindful parents and socially responsible consumers. An author, activist and ’armchair theologian,’ Ingram holds a BS in Public Policy, Management and Planning from the University of Southern California, an MA in Theology from Fuller Seminary and an MTh in Applied Theology from Oxford University in England. Kemi Ingram is a frequent conference speaker and workshop presenter (in the areas of social media/emerging technology and social entrepreneurship). Her advocacy work on behalf of women and children around the world has resulted in meaningful relationships with US policy makers and global thought leaders. Her work at MOMbo Media allows her to support relief and development projects around the world.

Kemi is a ‘home-preschooling’ mother of three and a committed social entrepreneur. Her entrepreneurial work has been featured in several leading women’s magazines in the US as well as abroad.

Joining us is my guest co-host for the day - Karen Bierdeman - The Guilt Free Mom. You can follow her on Twitter and visit her website www.theguiltfreemom.com.

You can follow Kemi on Twitter and find out more about MomboTV by visiting www.mombotv.com.

For information please email me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com - follow me on Twitter - join Word of Mom on the Ning Network and follow me on Facebook and join the Word of Mom Fan page on Facebook

Bonnie Gortler - The Option Girl

2010-12-02T14:12:00.009-05:00

On Thursday, December 9th at 2pmET/11amPT Word of Mom on BlogTalkRadio is sharing a mom who isn't a mompreneur - but an amazing entrepreneur. Bonnie Gortler, married for 28 years, mother of a daughter in college, entered into the world of finance, when she accepted, in 1982, a position in the marketing department of a growing investment management corporation. Bonnie’s interests broadened from marketing to include the direct provision of investment services. Her knowledge and capabilities expanded as she completed an evening MBA program in finance at the Roth Graduate Business School of Long Island University while handling rapidly growing responsibilities at her firm.In due course, Bonnie advanced to associate and then to full portfolio manager, ultimately to the position of head portfolio manager within the firm. At this time, Bonnie directly leads a team of portfolio managers responsible for the investment of client assets in excess of $250 million. Bonnie closely identifies with her firm’s belief that its mission lies with serving people, rather than simply handling money and investments. Bonnie is multi-faceted, loyal, a proven leader, a compassionate woman who is a hard working stock market guru in the corporate world for 28 years. Bonnie enjoys the world of entrepreneurship through home based businesses. She has the innate ability to take the stress out of investing and she helps others while establishing strong professional relationships both online and offline. Bonnie’s mission lies with serving people, sharing her expertise and experience helping others to achieve their dreams, rather than simply handling money and investments. She has built many contacts within social media channels as she continues to expand her professional, entrepreneurial and personal life as she strives to be her best and turn her vision into a reality inspiring others to reach their goals & dreams. Follow Bonnie on Twitter and download her free E-Book Twitter Magic
Join us on BlogTalkRadio or give us a call at 347 850 8994 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 347 850 8994 end_of_the_skype_highlighting with your questions and comments. You may reach me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com, on Facebook, on Twitter and on LinkedIn

Amy and the Award Winning Balance MAP!

2010-11-16T10:47:00.002-05:00

On Thursday, November 18 11amPT/2pmET Amy Hilbrich Davis comes back on Word of Mom on Blog Talk Radio to share her now award winning Balance MAP with all of us. Amy was one of my guests on the debut of Word of Mom and she shared the Balance MAP with all who tuned in to the show and listened to the archives. Above is a family picture of Amy, her husband and partner Randy and their 7 - yes - 7 children. Well - plenty has happened since. Maria Bailey came on the 2nd Word of Mom show to share the Huggies MomInspired Grant program for innovative ideas to make the life of parents easier - and Ame was awarded one of the $15,000.00 grants!!! Talk about making a difference! It is so exciting to feel like I had a very small part in sharing this amazing grant program - and now Ame is here to share with us the difference being a Huggies "Inspired Mom" has made in her life and that of bringing the Balance MAP to the forefront of revolutionary products for the "Job of Mom". Along with the Balance MAP, Amy also offers her Recipe for Success - which include personal wellness, partner relationships, parenting skills, support networks and home and family management. Visit her site at http://www.inspiringmoms.com and see ways to create the balance, success and happiness that you look for as a parent. Amy and I are joined my guest co-host Heather Hetchler - who created a support system for the step-parent that can be found at http://www.cafeSmom.com. All of us look forward to chatting with each other this Thursday and look forward to you joining us. You can call us at 347 850 8994, email me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com, visit http://www.wordofmom.ning.com, follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/Dori_S1_Bags and join the Facebook Word of Mom Fan Page!

Living My MoMent on Blog Talk Radio

2010-11-10T11:34:00.002-05:00

On November 11 at 11amPT/2pmET I am chatting with Abbey Fatica on BlogTalkRadio. She is the creator of Living My MoMent. Living My MoMent was started in April 2009 when Abbey was trying to figure out a way to make some extra cash. A Stay at Home Mom to her daughter at the time she really wanted to contribute somehow to their income. After searching online for many months, trying to come up products to sell and not being able to find anything that spoke to me, she had an AHA MoMent!
While watching Oprah, Abbey was intrigued by the segment on MoM bloggers and although she had never really thought about Blogging as an profession, Heather Armstrong from Dooce.com changed her mind. Seeing how a mom just like herself could make a living out of blogging about her life then Abbey could do it, too!
On top of just blogging, Abbey wanted to offer some kind of service to
family run business owners. These types of businesses are usually hit the hardest when the economy is bad and she didn't want to see all of their efforts go to waste. So why not offer FREE ADVERTISING. And that's where we started!
Living My MoMent has grown quite a bit over the last year and an half. Through this growth, we have incorporated many other options for the small business owner to advertise with us on our site: Ad Spaces, Product Reviews, Giveaways, Blogrolls, Dedicated Articles, Promotions on Facebook and Twitter and much more. To find out how you can get the most bang for your buck, and if you have any suggestions, questions, ideas, comments or are a MoM or DaD with a business wanting space on Living My MoMent, tune in to BlogTalkRadio and find out how to get in touch with Abbey or call us at 347 850 8994.

Gagagougou and All Things Baby

2010-10-28T11:44:00.002-04:00

Remember the old stereotype of people feigning baby-talk saying "Gagagougou..." well - Iris Wu took that playful moment and turned it into a great store where moms can buy good products, essential products, at a price they can afford. How did Gagagougou begin? As a WAHM of 2 small children, Iris was one of the first moms in her family to stay at home and create a home-based business. Deciding to work from home while pregnant with her second child, she started a mommy group and, with all the new products on the market every day, she began testing out new items and gadgets. Friends began asking her what she liked and didn't and eventually, they began suggesting that she share her experiences with other moms so they didn't waste their time and money on useless products. Thus began Gagagougou! So - now Iris started an internet based business - but just how do you go about funding, marketing and building your business when you have a 4 and 2 year old at home?!? With a little help from your friends, thats how. Mompreneurs know that moms support moms and Iris turned to past Word of Mom guest Shara from Mommy Perks to advertise Gagagougou and really get the word out. She also began Gaga-Blog to bridge the gap between Gagagougou, parents, WAHMs and the companies of the products she shares and reviews. Her story is so interesting and she will be sharing this and more with me on Thursday October 28th at 2pm EST. Follow Iris on Twitter and connect with her on Facebook. Kasey Lian will be my guest co-host so join us on Word of Mom or give us a call at 347 850 8994 and join the chat as Iris shares her passion with all of us!

Big Blend Magazine on Word of Mom's BTR Show!

2010-09-07T15:00:00.001-04:00

How exciting for Word of Mom to return to the airwaves with a show like this! On Thursday, September 9th at 2pm on Blog Talk Radio I welcome the 2 amazing women behindBig Blend Magazine, which has been published since 1997. Passionate and dedicated to educating the public about the various and diverse facets of the USA and the rest of the world, Big Blend Magazine is operated by mother and daughter team Nancy J. Reid - Editor and Production Director, and Lisa D. Smith - Editor and Marketing Director. Together they offer over 40 years of marketing, photography, and editorial experience in the travel, lifestyle, leisure, special interest, hospitality, business and retail industries.

Online for over 13 years, http://www.BigBlendMagazine.com has an average of 2.6 million unique visitors who enjoy articles, recipes and radio interviews. Hosted by Nancy and Lisa for almost 4 years, Big Blend Radio features 10 different radio shows, which air live Friday-Monday on BlogTalkRadio.com

This is the info for the professional face that Big Blend Magazine prides itself on. It is top-notch every step of the way and shows the depth of the background of its editors. On Word of Mom I want you to know the story behind the magazine and the powerhouse tag-team that Nancy and Lisa are, because that is the real story. It all began when Nancy, a successful wildlife artist, writer and photographer led tours from LA to Kenya, East Africa with Lisa - who was 1 1/2 at the time. Their travels have taken them all over the world and led them to the amazing work they do now. As Lisa and I were chatting about our upcoming interview I was sharing why Word of Mom is so special to me and my pride at being a Mompreneur! Too often people turn their nose up at that title -as if Mompreneurs dabble in business between bake sales. Well, as I said to Lisa, if Nancy hadn't been a pioneering Mompreneur, Lisa wouldn't have been in Kenya with her mom, she would have been home with a nanny!

I am so happy to share these women with you, and hope that my daughter tunes in and gets some ideas for the future...(wink, wink!) Tune in on Thursday September 9th at 2pm EST as my guest host Heather Hetchler @cafeSmom and I chat with Nancy and Lisa about the journey that led them to the magazine and the airwaves. Follow them on twitter at @BigBlendMag and, to find out more about their travels and experiences.

Not Helpless Anymore

2010-07-30T16:34:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, September 16 at 2pm EST on Word of Mom on Blog Talk Radio, I am introducing a very powerful story with all of you. I'm here to share with you a little bit about a woman that fell in love with this handsome, athletic guy… The man of her dreams!! They fell in love and got married, she had everything a young woman could ever want, a husband, a career, children in other words her own fairytale come true. Few years into the marriage, shortly after they had their second child, her husband ask her to stop working and take care of the children full-time; she agrees since he was in the military and they were comfortable economically. Shortly after that, he decided to sell her car, because there was no need to have multiple vehicles he said. Then he started timing her and checking the odometer in his car; if she was on the phone he will sit next to her and listen to her conversations.

Later his attentions with her started changing, everything she did appears to be wrong the more she tried to make everything to his standards the worse he treated her. Suddenly one morning without warnings, he grabs her by the ankle pulls her off the bed and starts punching her repeatedly. His excuse, he had a bad report from his commander. Once he calmed down he apologizes and he said it wasn’t going to happen again he said he will seek help and everything will go back to what it was. A week later he got home from work and he didn’t agree with what she cooked for him so he push her against the counter and start beating. This time she woke up in the hospital, no signs of her kids, or him; just few broken ribs and bruises everywhere but even then her physical pain wasn’t as great as the pain of not knowing the fate of her kids; Did he hurt them? Are they safe? Nobody, seems to have an answer.

Finally a familiar face an MP (Military Police) that works with him walks in the door ask her for a statement and, in closing, he said its not as bad as it looks. You should try to work things out! Your kids are safe they will be in the room in a little bit. Sighs of relief were heard from the hospital bed. Once she had some privacy she called the state police and ask them to come to the hospital where they took a statement and arrested him. The Military Police didn’t think it was necessary to press charges, but she took manners into her own hands.

Once he was arrested she called her mother who clearly stated over the phone “You must have done something, and you deserve what he did to you”. Hurt by her mothers words she realizes she was alone; the woman that brought her into this world thinks she deserve it - who is out there that would want to help her out of this situation?

According to the state there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute him plus, since the incident happened on the military premises the military police were to be the ones that needed to press charges. They let him go and the the military let him return to the house again. At this point she didn’t care about herself. She had no family and no money. All she cared about was her children and making sure that they were safe, which is a hard thing to do since she was unable to use the phone because he walked around the house with the cordless in his pocket and will put it in the car while he was at work so she couldn’t call for help. She had no money because he had all the checks, ATM cards, credit cards; everyday she woke up it was a blessing because she was able to see another day.

The Military order him to go to anger management classes and he leaves work to “attend” but (he never make it to the sessions). He said he wanted to change and for a period of few months he did, things were no punches, no bruises, they started to attend church, and spend family time together. She got pregnant (on the pill), he received a phone call from Puerto Rico where they were originally from with bad news his nephew/godson was going to be taken away from his mother and placed in foster care if no one from the family wanted to be responsible for him. They talk and agree to bring the child to live with them. He goes to pick him up, it was really exciting for their kids, and while he went and picked him up the rest of the family went shopping for winter cloth for him and a bedroom set so he had his own things when he arrived. Angel went to up-state NY to live with his new family, the 3 kids were happy but soon the screaming and yelling started all over, only now was there was one more child in the house but she was pregnant again. Angel grows very close to his new family, so close he call his godfather's wife Mom and the kids brother and sister…Angel never had a brother or a sister and he sits with his new mom and tells her "I'm going to be the man of the house and I'm going to take care of all of you". (He was the older among the children) He use to rub his moms belly and say “It will be okay baby”.

One day his “dad” started yelling and he took the rest of the kids into the room and close the door. Dad had mom by the neck and had the water in the tub running and he kept screaming "I should’ve have done this a long time ago". Angel started screaming to leave his mommy alone and he lets go of mom to push Angel out of the bathroom. Mom is afraid that he was going to hurt him and runs out of the bathroom, tired of all the abuse, and reaches for dads gun. When he reached for he,r Angel jumped in the way and dad gave him a deadly blow to his head. Mom grabbed the gun and pointed at him and said “Self defense its not murder” and made him give her the phone. She called the police while pointing at him - his own gun! Mom runs to Angel just to find out that he was not breathing. When police and paramedics arrive at the house they pronounce him dead.

The Military Police remove the man, the woman, the kids and the body of Angel from the house. Kids were put in foster care while they conducted investigations, because according to the Military Police, they didn’t had any records of previous disturbances. Thankfully she had copy of all the paperwork and records from hospital or God knows what would’ve happened. Her father, the kids grandfather, requested custody of the children while they clear moms name. A new baby is born 4 months later healthy and okay, just like Angel said, but her dad had to pick him up from the hospital before social services took him too.

Mom fought tirelessly the military, the department of children and families, and all the people that wanted to make it impossible for her to get on her feet. Wanting to give up many times, tempted to start using alcohol and drugs, with suicidal thoughts because she didn’t only loose Angel, she lost her other kids to the state. Her home that was impounded for evidence; for her there was nothing else she could loose. She stayed strong! Eventually she got custody back of the 2 oldest but by the time they were able to clear her name, the baby was almost a year old and the only mom and dad he knew were his grandparents, so for the childs well being they decided that it was best for them to adopt him.

Her Prince charming was found guilty of murder, 2 counts of aggravated assault, 1 attempted homicide against mom, and he is serving 25 years in Ft. Leavenworth (Military Prison). She knows the pain of losing a child; she knows that the physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional pain that domestic violence cause and how it can scar you for life if you allow it to. Angel’s death is the reason why she and her kids are alive today and she has a testimony to share.

This is the story of Edca, a survivor of domestic violence. She is 33 years old, owns couple clothing stores, and is a talent manager with a company that meets the needs for the entertainment business. The reason why she is sharing part of her story with us is because you, your sister, your mother, your friend, your co-worker, your neighbor can be dealing with domestic violence.

Domestic Violence is not an addiction, it is not contagious but it is embarrassing and full of shame and can be deadly for the person that is in the situation. You can save a life today by letting someone know that no matter how bad it is or how much they love the person they are with, it is not safe for them and for their children.

Domestic violence don’t discriminate. It happens to rich people as well as poor, white, black, asian, latino it doesn’t matter, it affect us all. There is help, and there is hope. Edna has seen abusers that change, but they need to recognize first that they have a problem and they need to seek help. It is a process that can be lengthy and frustrating. Victims, Edna has been there; saw death closer than a lot of you hopefully never have to. Its not easy but there is help, but you have to give the first step and want to fix the situation.

Unfortunately she had to go though tragedy to be offered help. She has met thousands of women with stories similar to hers and worse, and they have come out of that situation and have started over and today they are successful. She has also met women that have said, "Its not that bad, and it will get better". that are no longer with us. She is here today because a seven year old, Angel, her Angel is no longer with her. Domestic Violence took him from her. She didn’t know anyone that could help, anyone that wanted to help. She wasn’t aware of all the programs and help available to help the domestic violence victims nationwide, but now she is and is sharing them here. If you need help, she here as well as thousands of women nationwide that are willing to help, that are willing to walk by your side during those difficult times, and be there for you after the storm has passed….Thank you for taking the time and allowing me to share my story. God Bless and keep you safe!!!

Tune into Blog Talk Radio's Word of Mom Show Thursday September 16 at 2pm EST to hear from Edca - and find out that you are not alone...
Please feel free to contact Edna anytime, she is available to support any programs or individuals, she is a guest speaker, there for interviews, and most importantly, to help and wants the help…
Edca Quinones
Nycconnexion@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/nycconnexion

KIBOOMU - Music Making our Kids Smarter!

2010-07-24T10:18:00.006-04:00

I am a singing mom! All my life, singing has been a large part of who I am and as a mom - I brought that to my children. Walking down the street and breaking into song was never unusual for me and they would join right in. Well, I am not alone! On Thursday July 29 at 2pm EST Wendy and Sherry, the founders of KIBOOMU join me on Blog Talk Radio to share their mission of making children smarter through music. KIBOOMU stands for Kids, Books & Multimedia, is their brainchild.

Wendy was the founder and owner of KIDZUP, an award winning children's music and media publishing company based in Montreal, Canada. In 2004 was named one of Canada's top 100 woman entrepreneurs! Wanting to expand, Wendy bought Tormont Publications and met Sherry in 2006. Sherry was the Children's Book Publisher at Readers Digest Canada and had been the Marketing Director at Pearson Education, the biggest educational publisher in the world. Can you see the writing on the wall! They were destined to collaborate. Sherry joined Wendy at Tormont and they quickly became known as the "New Tormont". Then, as life does, things changed rapidly!

In 2007 the CD market crashed, 2008 the biggest recession since the Great Depression hit and in 2009 Wendy moved to CA for her daughter Sara. Sherry became the President of KIDZUP/Tormont and then they sold the print side of the companies. Retaining the digital side of the company they wanted to use the years of experience they have to create fun educational products for children and in December of 2009 KIBOOMU Inc - their very own edu-tainment company began! There's is a story of new beginnings, hope, commitment and bold decisions and they are here to share them with us.

Join us and find out more about these fascinating women! Again - we will be on Blog Talk Radio on July 29, 2010 at 2pm EST and would love to hear from you so call us at 347 850 8994. Please feel free to email me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com, join my fan page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Life is a Learning Curve!

2010-06-25T10:15:00.002-04:00

Each day life brings us new challenges, new adventures, new disappointments and new discoveries, for life is a learning curve. Days come and go when all seems to go smoothly and we have a moment to forget the times when things were tough. Other days melt into weeks and nothing seems to go right. Friends die, friendships end, partners prove to be untrustworthy, and life's learning curve seems too hard to bear. Then how do we always seem able to weather the storm?

For me, I trust that God puts you where you are for a reason and I know that this too shall pass. If I learn the lesson, then what I went through is worth the strife. If I keep making the same mistakes, then I am turning a blind eye to the lesson and it defeats the purpose. All of us need to take the good and the bad and accept that nothing is ever easy and that sometimes, it is the struggle that makes it all worth while.

The biggest lessons I have learned with the events of the past month are - life is short so don't squander it! Friendship in business works - but be sure to have all your ducks in a row. Contracts exist for a reason and don't let your personal connection cloud your business judgement - get things in writing! When things go bad, you can feel sorry for yourself you a moment or two and then you have to let things go and move on with your head held high. Learn the lesson and move on - because if you stay trapped in the moment of realization and don't move forward - you are doomed to never learn.

I had a dear friend die at the beginning of the month and a partnership that I cherished end the middle of the month. On the other hand, my son came home after being away for a long time, my baby graduated from High School, I love and am loved, and the sun came out after the storm. No matter what we go through, we do manage to come out stronger and wiser in the end. Life is a learning curve - enjoy the lesson!

Thrive as a Parent - Don't Just Survive!

2010-06-11T14:50:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered why you need a license to drive a car, or catch a fish - but they just hand you this newborn baby and say "good luck!" All of us know that drive to perfection when it comes to parenting our children - well guess what - nobody is perfect and we need to accept that about ourselves. Personally I think this can be very difficult, especially when we have created and run successful businesses - where do we find the balance to make it all work. How, you may ask, do we do this? Enter Jacqueline Green, BA, who has been in parenting education for over 10 years. She began when was overwhelmed with parenting her two-year old son and new baby girl. One of her strengths as a parenting educator is that she knows what it is like to be able to manage a boardroom and yet be reduced to her knees by two little kids! Her main area of specialty is perfectionism and parenting, including related areas such as mood issues (anxiety and depression), anger issues and workaholism (not just for working moms!). Drawing from her personal experience as a recovering perfectionist, Jacqueline can help you thrive as a parent, instead of just survive. Jacqueline's website is http://GreatParentingPractices.com and her Facebook page is http://Facebook.com/GreatParentingPractices. We hope you will join us on Blog Talk Radio's Word of Mom show June 24 at 2pm EST. You can follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Dori_S1_Bags and on Facebook's Fan Pages -. If you would like to share with us - you may call us at 347 850 8994. We look forward to sharing our experiences with you.

Enter the World of the Virtual Assistant

2010-05-24T10:28:00.003-04:00

You have a small business and now you've become a big fish in that small pond. The next step is becoming a small fish in a bigger pond without looking like one. So the question arises - how does a small business make itself look Big in the marketplace? Enter the world of the Virtual Assistant!

VA's are the new way that small businesses can begin to expand their staff on a smaller budget and look as if they have a full time group of savvy professionals in their office! My guest are Kasey Lian from KL Virtual Office Solutions and Janice Clark from Biz M Solutions. These two mompreneurs have created their VA companies and work with other mompreneurs to grow their businesses because they have first - hand understanding of the special needs the mompreneur faces - as well as the business background to make their business grow.

Join us on Blog Talk Radio this Thursday, May 27 at 2pm EST and find out how they can make your small business look BIG! The place is Blog Talk Radio - or you can call us at 347 850 8994 and email me at dori.s1bags@gmail.com.

Please become a fan of WoM on Facebook - follow me on Twitter because I would love to know what is on your mind and what you want to hear about!

Huggies MomInspired Grant Program

2010-05-06T11:01:00.000-04:00

---Moms always have the best ideas! Now, through the Huggies MomInspired Program, those ideas can come to life!

The Huggies MomInspired Grant Program is awarding up to $15,000 to further the development of innovative products inspired by motherhood. Take your ideas to the next level with the Huggies brand.

Word of Mom Blog Talk Radio Show on May 13th at 2pm EST is proud to have Maria Bailey as my guest to share this wonderful program.

Maria Bailey is CEO of BSM Media and mother of four children, if you don’t count MomTV.com, newbaby.com, her books and many mom engagement entities.

Maria speaks to over 8 million moms a month in print,online and on radio through many channels, including her popular parenting talk show, Mom Talk Radio, websites (momtalkradio.com, bluesuitmom.com and momselect.com), Facebook, You Tube and numerous media and social channels. Follow Maria on Twitter @momtalkradio.

Maria’s goal is to inform and empower Moms through programs and opportunities. One such program Maria has worked on for over 2 years is the Huggies Mom Inspired program. Mom Inspired is designed to further the development of innovative ideas inspired by motherhood. Moms can submit their ideas or inventions for consideration for a $15,000 grant. Go to http://www.huggiesmominspired.com for more information and to sign up to see your ideas come to life!

Word of Mom - Mompreneurs at our Best!

2010-04-06T15:59:00.003-04:00

Well - here I am - the co-host of The Three Wise Girls Blog Talk Radio show along with Debbie Barth and Linda Alexander. We are as different as different can be and, as things often happen, our differences make us a perfect blend. We have each developed our own unique personalities on the show - Debbie brings very serious topics to light, Linda adds the theatrical, comedic, author aspect to our show and I have embraced the business/personal aspect of our conversations. I wanted to do a show on Mompreneurs - because I am one - and it is a near and dear subject to my heart. As I was interviewing some amazing mompreneurs I met on twitter I realized I would need to do two different segments - and did.

Well - as Debbie and Linda and I were having our weekly planning call - they encouraged me to step out on my own and do a BTR show for mompreneurs to give us a forum to share our gifts and talents and commitment to raising our families as we build our businesses. Thanks to them - I am taking on this new task - and have created Word of Mom - Mompreneurs at our Best!

You see - the mompreneur is much different from the businesswoman that goes to work at their office day after day. They are focused on their career and then their home-life and have assistance in finding that balance. Whether it is a nanny or daycare or after-school programs - or other support systems - they have outside help with their families. The Mompreneur, on the other hand, balances family and business - putting the family first. It is a balancing act, for sure, and we lean on other mompreneurs to give us ideas and checks and balances to make it all work.

My debut show will share some of the wonderful mompreneurs that I have met along the way. Join me as we chat about the balance we have been able to achieve in raising our families and building our businesses. For my first show I welcome Amy Davis - www.inspiringMoms.com and Karen Bierdman - www.theguiltfreemom.com. These are two amazing women who are taking time to share the work they do with Mompreneurs.

Please contact me directly at dori.s1bags@gmail.com, visit my website www.s1bags.com - follow me on Twitter and Facebook. Please join us, share your gifts with us, and take the journey on Blog Talk Radio as we empower Mompreneurs everywhere!!!

Be Wise When Choosing a Gateway for Your Business

2010-03-17T13:13:00.002-04:00

When you develop an on-line store - your Gateway can make or break you - as I am discovering right now! We decided to change banks as Webster Bank here in New England is probably the least friendly bank for small business that there is. Well - in closing that account and moving to a new bank - I never considered just how inept our Gateway is when it comes to changing banking information.

Do yourself a favor and don't ever do business with First Date - LinkPoint - they are the most unprofessional group of people I have ever worked with - bar NONE!!! It is amazing to me that none of the departments can work with each other - they have no way of knowing what each department is doing at any given time. More than a week has gone by and our account is still not active - so I have no idea how much money S1 has lost at this point - but I can imagine!

As soon as we have the funds that they are holding for us - oh - that took almost 2 hours before we could find someone that could hold the charges that had come in until a new account was established - we are closing this account and using People's Bank - where are new account is - and their merchant services department.

As a business owner - customer service has always been our strong suit. We do all that we can to keep each and every one of our customers happy so that the word of mouth advertising will always be wonderful. It amazes me how few companies pride themselves on their customer service anymore - and First Data is a perfect example of that!

I don't usually use this blog to blast people or another company - but I do use it to give assistance to other small business owners from time to time - so I felt compelled to do this today.

Just be aware that not all gateway's are the same and that if your bank offers these services it is your best bet to use them to avoid these pitfalls.

Happy Business Building to all...

Reinventing Yourself!

2010-02-18T10:30:00.006-05:00

WELL - as our economy continues to be an uncertainty - what is a business owner to do? Reinvent yourself - it is the only way to survive in this business climate. Find new ways to market yourself and do it with a smile. Humor is a great way to get people to notice you and your products and shows that you don't take yourself too seriously.

We are getting ready to move into the airport advertising arena and in trying to design our billboard it occurred to us that humor will always grab people's attention. So - with that in mind - we are incorporating the amazing cartoon that Mike Samuel did as a joke regarding our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags.

The last time I was traveling, standing there at security with my travel clothes on - no buttons, under-wire, zippers or anything that could possibly set off the alarm - I was watching people stripping off layers of clothes, jewelry, shoes - not to mention the ever dreaded laptop removal - and I wanted to start singing the stripper song, "Da na na na..." I can't believe people still haven't figured out that less is more when you are flying and that S1 Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks make the removal of your laptop unnecessary. Why hassle at security - use a checkpoint friendly bag or backpack from S1 and make it simpler to go through security.

Take a look at our commercial and let me know what you think and remember - keep reinventing yourself and your business.

Happy New Year!?!?!

2010-01-18T11:31:00.002-05:00

Okay - I don't know about you - but how are we 18 days into the new year already!!!!!
Not only are we 18 days into the new year - we are a decade into a new century! I am continuously amazed at how fast time passes, especially when you are blessed to see it through the eyes of your children.

As I continue to grow my business while balancing being a mom, I feel the pull from both ends on a daily basis. Some days are easier than others, but then one of them gets sick, and it is mom to the rescue! As my oldest child says (and he is 21) the best medicine is just being with me. All you mom's and dad's out there that walk the tightrope of business-owner and parent know the joy that something so small like that can bring. As you look back on the path you have walked with your children, these are the little things that make the hard work and dedication worth every bit of sacrifice and heart-ache.

Well - here it is - a new decade and things in the business-world are as tough as they can be. Left and right people are hanging on by a thread - and yet remain positive as they follow their dream and make their businesses grow and thrive - or sometime even holding the status-quo is a success.

To all of us out there struggling to keep that dream alive - you are NOT ALONE! We are all in the trenches together and we will emerge victorious. Believe in yourself and in your dream and make it happen. Each day holds a new challenge and reward and opportunity to share what you do. Making a difference has always been the driving force behind S1 - Safety First - and will continue to be as we charter new waters - here and abroad.

So - to all those entrepreneurs out there that are struggling and surviving and thriving and growing - kudos to us all as we have had the guts to follow our dreams and hold the course, no matter how rough the waters can be. Hang in there and make it happen!!!

Introducing S1 Safety First in Hong Kong, China

2009-09-15T11:32:00.002-04:00

Well - it is official - S1 has expanded internationally! Here is the press release that is posted on our websites, www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com and www.s1bags.com. Along with S1's VP of Global Media Strategy Nancy Aborn Wuennemann, I attended the 2009 Asian Aerospace Conference in Hong Kong - not bad for a mom on a mission. There we introduced S1's full line of Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks, including our Made in the USA line that is "Green" - meaning it is constructed in 100%recycled materials - making it water-resistant and stronger than most Denier on the market. I am so amazed at how far S1 has come in 5 years - and we are just getting started. So, I share this announcement here with my fellow bloggers - thanks for following and keep the comments coming...

INTRODUCING S1 SAFETY FIRST IN HONG KONG, CHINA
Asian Aerospace 2009 attracted 356 exhibitors from 28 countries and 12616 attendees!

S1 SAFETY FIRST Founder and CEO Dori DeCarlo attended Asian Aerospace 2009 from September 8th - 10th. The bi-annual, 3-day event is the world’s largest single-focus exhibition and congress for the commercial aerospace and civil aviation market.

The show provided S1 Safety First Founder Dori DeCarlo a fresh opportunity to participate in some creative learning and a chance for all attendees to share new ideas across an international platform.

This year's Asian Aerospace show featured an impressive list of onsite highlights. Among them, a showcase of Connecticut companies sponsored by the Connecticut sector of the US Department of Commerce. S1 SAFETY FIRST Founder and CEO Dori DeCarlo lead by Melissa Grosso, Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center.

On Tuesday September 9, 2009 S1 Safety First Founder & CEO, Dori DeCarlo was interviewed by FLIGHT DAILY NEWS, the world’s #1 Airshow publication. Dori represented S1 Safety First attending Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress in Hong Kong, China with the Connecticut delegation of the US Department of Commerce.

Please visit our sites, www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com or www.s1bags.com to see the full article and other information on the conference. Thanks again and remember - Together, we can make a difference!

Back to School Needs Being CLEARLY Met

2009-08-19T13:46:00.001-04:00

Well - as our children head back to school, more and more are required to carry clear bags or no bags because of the safety issues that we are facing in our learning environments.

S1 is meeting these challenges head-on with our full line of clear bags and backpacks. More and more schools are working with us to ensure that their students are carrying the finest clear bags on the market.As consumers we all know that "Cheap is expensive" so why not buy a product that you know will stand up to the day to day wear and tear that our children inflict on any and all of their things.

Visit us at www.s1bags.com to see our full line and purchase a product that will last. Parents want safety - kids want cool - and S1 is there to satisfy all! Be part of the solution and help keep our learning environments safe. Together, we can make a difference.

S1 ~ The advantages are CLEAR!

Press Releases and all it Entails

2009-07-21T13:26:00.002-04:00

Getting publicity and creating momentum is never easy - but definitely worth the effort. With the launch of our newest product line it was time to get a new press release out there! Well - talk about a group effort!

I have been very fortunate to have received quite a bit of press over the last couple of years - I was amazed the last time I Googled my name - but it is important to keep the press fresh, so back to the drawing board.

This release went through many versions before we finally decided that this is it. Not too long, appropriate quotes and just enough information [I hope] to get people interested in what we are doing here at S1. I share it in this blog so others can see what the wonderful people that surround me helped me do.

For Ease at Airport Security – the Solution is CLEAR:
S1 Offers Premium Line of Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags

The security concerns of a new century aren’t always easy to live with—but with the addition of checkpoint friendly laptop bags and backpacks to an already extensive line of bags, S1 Bags, an innovative woman owned company is certainly making it easier for safety and convenience to coexist. S1 stands for “Safety First,” and Founder and President Dori DeCarlo delivers on that promise.

“S1 is proud to introduce our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks,” states Ms. DeCarlo. “This line of products meets all Transit Security Administration guidelines as checkpoint friendly so there is no longer a need to remove your laptop at security checkpoints!” The TSA approached various bag companies and asked each one to design bags following specific criteria which would enable travelers to go through airport security without having to remove their laptops. Following their strict guidelines, S1 submitted their well thought out designs. Ms DeCarlo says, “We are now proud to add these bags to our product line.”

Now, S1 is bringing Made in the USA 100% Green Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpack to market. There are three styles, and they are S1's first bags not only made here in the USA, but also constructed of 100% recycled materials - making them stronger than any other bags made with Denier materials. And never forgetting the world we all live in, the materials used to create these amazing bags also protects our environment. It is not only the clear features which make our laptop bags checkpoint friendly, but the way they pay attention to the concerns of ever-present security issues in travel and everyday life. “S1’s line of green Made in the USA bags continues the evolution of bringing products to the market that will always address safety issues worldwide,” says Ms. DeCarlo.

The S1 team is committed to developing new and innovative clear and green Made in the USA bags and backpacks to make it easier for safety and convenience to co-exist. Together, we can make a difference. For more information on our product line please visit www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com or call 888-386-6528.
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We are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Well - there it is - please comment, share what we do and let me know about you...

S1 Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags Go GREEN!!!

2009-07-14T09:07:00.003-04:00

S1 is going GREEN!!! We are so proud to bring our Made in the USA Green line of Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks to market.

As our line has expanded I have always dreamed of a Made in the USA line of products, but alas, none of the factories here in the US can work with the materials that the line of S1 bags is made of. There was no way I was going to sacrifice quality for the US label - so in China our manufacturing remained.

Then came our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks - and since the "clear" S1 features are not what makes this bag checkpoint friendly, I decided to look at making a line of bags without any of our clear material. This now opened S1 up to the possibility of a Made in the USA line, so I contacted the factory in North Carolina that I worked with in the past to see if they could make our bags.

Well - they have always had "green" products, so one thing lead to another and we are now offering 100% Made in the USA Green Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks that are made with 100% recycled materials - which actually make them stronger than the existing Denier materials normally used in bag manufacturing. Needless to say, it is with great pride that we add these 3 designs to our product line.

With the name S1 - for Safety First - we are now looking at the safety issues facing our environment as well as the issues we deal with on a daily basis. Please take the time to see our new site - http://www.s1checkpointfriendlybags.com/ where you may view all of our checkpoint friendly bags and now have a choice to a Made in the USA Green product line. They cost more - which is why most company's choose not to manufacture here in the USA - but they are worth the extra money. Support our Green effort as well as a Made in the USA product and take a look at what we have to offer. We are S1 - and still - The CLEAR Advantage!

Another Elevator Pitch Contest!

2009-06-25T10:33:00.005-04:00

Well - I went to an event at The Hard Rock Cafe at Yankee Stadium sponsored by WCBS 880 News Radio - and low and behold - the evening included an Elevator Pitch Contest!

Let me back up - I have been invited to different networking events that WCBS has had in the past, and this was the first one I was able to attend. Couple that with it being at the new Yankee Stadium and my car practically drove itself to the event. There was an excellent turn-out and great contacts to make, so I smiled and started working the room!

About an hour into the event, I hear a voice that sounded like "The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz" meaning a voice over the microphone and no one in sight!! Well, I worked my way down into the lower part of the room and there was Chad Lopez doing his thing. He welcomed everyone, acknowledged different companies that has tables there and announced the Elevator Pitch Contest. Needless to say, I was very excited about having a chance to pitch S1 at this event.

Happily, I was one of the people selected - and I won the contest! The prize - a free round of a 60 second commercial on WCBS 880 News Radio! How amazing is that!?! Not only does S1 get this very costly advertising for free - they want me to do the voice over for the commercial.

In deciding the best route to go, we are going to modify the voice over for our TV commercial and focus on the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpack - adding that corporate branding is available for custom orders.

This is why it is so very important to have your Elevator Pitch down cold no matter where you are. You never know when you will have a chance to pitch the who, what, where, why, when and how of your company - and when the chance arises, you want to always be on top of your game.

I will keep you posted as to when we will be on the air! So remember - we are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Motivation

2009-06-11T14:19:00.003-04:00

As a business owner it is easy when you are busy to loose track of time because you are so immersed in day to day routine of meetings and conferences and business calls. But what happens on those few and far between days when you are not really motivated at all??? Thankfully that does not happen to me often, but when it does, it is a real quandary. How do I push through on those days when I just want to send calls to voice mail and take a nap? Well - today being one of those days - I made calls, sent out emails and orders and samples and decided to blog on the subject because we all go through this from time to time.

I think that sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to not work every moment of the day. I have always given my kids one or two "mental health" days from school. Since they were never the kids that faked being sick [like my brothers and I did] they rarely missed school. Once in a while I would wake them up and one of them would come out to me on the couch and I could tell by looking at them that they just needed permission to take the day off and sleep. They never abused it and understood that staying home also meant staying in after school - and if they were willing to do that - I KNEW they needed the day off!

Today I want someone to give me a mental health day and say, Dori - just take the day for yourself, go have a manicure and perhaps a glass of red wine and come back tomorrow. Unfortunately, calls needed to be made and emails sent and things done - so I feel like I did when I was still doing theatre professionally and once in a while I had one of those shows where I was "phoning in" my performance. I was there - but not there at all.

That is why the computer is a great thing - emails can't have a blase tone, tweets can be honest and blogs don't always have to be about sales and marketing and business building - sometimes they can just reflect the mood of the day or of the moment. So that is why I am sharing this with you - it is alright not to always be happy and peppy and bursting with life - you can be tired and uninterested and still get things done. Sometimes the contacts you make on a day like today are the ones that eventually put the motivation back in your day.

To all of us out there that have muddled through the days that we didn't want to be at the office at all - Congratulations - we did it anyway!!! So as Linda our fabulous webmaster says - GET MOTIVATED even if you are not and just do it!

Flexibility

2009-06-02T14:35:00.005-04:00

You have to keep an open mind as you are building your business.

When S1 began, our only focus was on schools and keeping them safe while we raised funds and awareness for security. As our company expanded, so did our mission - why stop at keeping our schools safe - why shouldn't every public arena have bags that make it easier to enter through security and assist as the safety personnel monitor large crowds. And the company keeps on growing.

Out come our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpack, meeting all Federal TSA guidelines and incorporating the S1 clear features to further enhance the checkpoint friendliness of the bags. Well - here is where the flexibility came in! Why stop there - why not make a line of checkpoint friendly bags that don't have any clear features - they still focus on the safety aspect of keeping your laptop secure and making airport travel simpler - but for those out there that don't "get" the clear features and that the "clear" isn't what makes it checkpoint friendly - lets just do a line of bags for all.

Well - the flexibility came into play today when I received the first set of samples of the laptop bags that do not have the S1 clear features - and LOVE them!!!!! I really wasn't sure how I would feel - but my daughter said it all when she said - "Hey mom - they still keep you safe and make it easier to get through security - so S1 is still doing our job!" Out of the mouths of babes...not that she is a baby anymore - but she's my baby - but that's another story!

As we expand our businesses our vision of what our business is all about needs to grow with it - or we get lost in the trees before we can enjoy the forest. Let your mission take on a life of its own; stay true to what you believe it and never give up. For me, failure was never an option. No matter how hard the road became, I know I am doing the right thing and will keep on staying true to S1 because we are The CLEAR Advantage!

The Power of Twitter and On-Line Marketing!

2009-05-27T10:10:00.003-04:00

I am completely amazed at the power of Twitter. The spectrum of people that you find tweeting back and forth is remarkable. Believe me, when Theresa - S1's Director of Finance - asked me if I was on twitter - I knew what a powerful tool this really is. If you knew Theresa and her lack of web-based marketing knowledge, you would understand. Needless to say, she was very happy to see that I am happily tweeting away.

As we launched our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags I was checking on Google to see where we were ranking on the search engines imagine my surprise that all my blogging regarding the launch landed S1 fourth on the list! My blog - not our website - but my blog.

The power of On-Line marketing is literally right at your fingertips and there are great people out there to connect with that will be happy to walk you through things as you get started.

I was sharing information with a class at Gateway Community College in March and was amazed that to so many they don't realize that the www is for world wide web! The saying, "It's a small world" has never been more true than now.

The most important thing to realize is that we don't need to know it all - there are plenty of people out there that can share their knowledge with us - and believe me - they are happy to help.

So those of you on Twitter - my name is Dori_S1_Bags - follow along as we travel the online road together!!!

Love What You Do!

2009-04-28T22:00:00.004-04:00

As entrepreneurs we get caught up in the day to day running of our business while we juggle all the other responsibilities in our lives. For me that is my 3 children and all that is happening in their lives and trying to get a life for myself.

Each new day I am excited to see what is going to happen today - because you never know what the new day will bring. I was able to talk to my children, get a couple of our clear backpacks into great hands, go to a fabulous lunch and learn with The E-Circle (check out their blog on my sidebar) and then make my daughters softball game. Now, here it is 10:04 pm and I am writing this as I watch a ballgame because I had to share the cartoon S1's designer, Mike Samuel created.

Mike is the owner of Mike Samuel Graphics and is an amazing designer and has created many a logo that has branded some of the most recognizable companies. Just to name a few - The History Channel, A&E, Sears, VH-1, Nickelodeon and my personal favorite - the Keep America Beautiful symbol of the Native American man with the tear coming down his face! Needless to say - he is a great artist that knows how to convey what you are in his logo.

On the other hand - he is also an amazing illustrator who has a quick mind that always keeps me laughing. My office has cartoons from Mike World all over it and for the first time - I am sharing them with the public. I have uploaded a cartoon that is one of the reasons I love working with my partners in S1. I had called him from the road to ask him to create a banner ad for our checkpoint friendly laptop bags and I received that - which is also here - along with this cartoon and I had to put it up everywhere I could.

As hard as we all work in our respective businesses, we need to remember to laugh lots and never take it too seriously! Enjoy the brilliance of Mike - I know we do.

Checkpoint Friendly Bags Hit the Airwaves!

2009-04-21T09:55:00.002-04:00

The first week of our commercial has finished and we are doing well with our sales. Our website is gaining exposure and other orders have come from the hits.

Visit www.s1bags.com and take a look at our Checkpoint Friendly Bags. Our Laptop Messenger Bag design comes in two sizes - 15" and 17" and our Laptop Backpack holds up to a 15.5". At each airport I have used we gain more support and find others who want to cut time at security and safeguard their laptops at the same time.

It is exciting to take this next step into the spotlight and know that our commercial is on the air. As I have said before, don't give up - because it takes as long as it takes!!!!

Visit our site - purchase a great bag - and fly safe!

S1 Hits the Airways!

2009-04-18T10:05:00.005-04:00

S1 Hits the Airwaves - how amazing is this!!!
As entrepreneurs we work and sacrifice and deal with family and friends wondering "why you don't get a Real Job" - but you believe so strongly in yourself that you keep on growing and learning and finding the right connections to make all your work a success.

S1 has gone through so much; I have worked and relied on the team that I picked by hand and heart when all of this began and we have persevered. You have to have nerves of steel to see your business through the first 5 years - because that is how long it takes - and you have to have the guts to tough it out.

We created a new site to launch with our commercial and love our new look! Linda [our webmaster] and Mike [our director of design] and I worked our tails off to create this new look with a new hosting company - and thank God we found them - so http://www.s1bags.com/ has a brand new style and even more of the finest line of clear bags on the market.

Our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpack are now available, and if you are in Portland, Richmond, Los Angeles, Dallas/Ft Worth, Providence, New York and Washington, DC you can see our commercial on CNN Headline News and Travel Channel. How amazing is that!

Media-Corp, our production partner, has developed an amazing commercial for our checkpoint friendly bags and selected key cities for this test. They are the As Seen on TV company - so we couldn't be in more professional hands.

You can't imagine the pins and needles that I am on right now - we all are - and it is so exciting and...I just can't seem to find the words...but it just is.

Let me know if you see the commercial - take a look at our new site and share your reaction - and for all of you that fly with your laptop - buy yourself and S1 Checkpoint Friendly Bag. They meet all Federal TSA requirements as checkpoint friendly so you can fly without having to remove your laptop at airport security. Having just flown from both NYC airports to KS and TX going through security was a breeze and everyone loved our bags. One of the NY airports was amazingly empty when I went through the checkpoint and the TSA personnel called over a few of their colleagues to take a look at our laptop backpack. Validation is mine!!!

If you truly believe in what you are doing don't EVER stop believing...stay the course and take the risk...and surround yourself with a team of people that are experts in their field and go for it. This is why Together, we can make a difference is one of my favorite ways to close a letter; we can't do it alone. My other favorite closure I will use here as we are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags - Our National Launch

2009-03-31T11:19:00.005-04:00

Wow -
So much has been happening gearing up for the launch of our first TV commercial. It is going on the air beginning April 6th!
We are test marketing in Portland, Providence, Richmond, Dallas/Ft Worth, Boston, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC. We will be airing on the Travel Network from 6am till midnight for 30 days.
We have been test marketing our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks at different airports and ALL have loved our bags and they passed with flying colors!!!
Imagine the ease of going through airport security checkpoints WITHOUT having to remove your laptop - and not having to pay a fortune for a bag with a 3 year warranty against manufacturers defects!
The S1 Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags and Backpacks meet all Federal TSA guidelines as Checkpoint Friendly and have the added security of our 5 mil 20 gauge clear materials to further enhance the checkpoint friendliness of our laptop bags.
The 4-clip design of our backpack gives you a bag that will carry your personal belongings and a padded laptop compartment that will un-clip and lie flat on the security screening belt at security so nothing obstructs the view of your laptop! The TSA personnel at the airports thus far love this bag!!!!!
Our Messenger style Laptop Bag comes in both 15" and 17" for all your laptop needs and has a front flap that can hold your peripherals and paperwork with ease and again, opens fully to lie flat on the screening belt.
It is unbelievably exciting to know that we are going to be in household all across the country in less than a week!!!!! NEVER give up on your dreams - no matter how long it takes!!!!!
Visit http://www.s1bags.com/ and see why we are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

National Women's Month

2009-03-06T13:29:00.002-05:00

So I was being interviewed on the radio today and found out it is National Women's Month! I never knew that they actually designated a month to honor women! I think that it is interesting that we now have a month allocated to celebrating women - as if it is only in March that our value should be acknowledged!

On that note - what month is designated to celebrate men - or do the people that create these Hallmark holiday's feel that we are always celebrating men and therefore don't need to pick one specific month to do so.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking the time to celebrate people and their accomplishments, but why do we feel the need to actually need to delineate a month in which to do so?

As women we know how valuable we are as people - but I guess if they want to actually take the month of March - a very long month at that - to celebrate our contributions - Happy National Women's Month to all the wonderful, powerful, dynamic women out there!

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag and Backpack for Corporate Branding!

2009-01-06T11:07:00.004-05:00

Wow - I can still remember the Y2K frenzy like it was yesterday - and that was 9, count them 9, years ago! It's a silly cliche but true - how time does fly!

Well - I don't know about you - but I want to make 2009 the best year my business has ever seen. I want to find more ways to use the new technology to my best advantage and make the day to day business of online networking an art form! Too much to ask - I don't think so.

With all the tools at our fingertips, we should be able to create a network of truly motivated savvy businesspeople looking to build their businesses, pool resources and make the www truly a world wide web.

For me, growing my business internationally is going to be a major focus in the coming months. The launch of our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag and Backpack will be our two biggest products to date.

Imagine the ease of security checkpoints when you no longer have a need to remove your laptop when going through the scanner! With and estimated 250,000 passengers daily in the US alone, the time that can be cut at checkpoints is staggering.

S1 has always been committed to providing the finest line of bags and backpacks on the market at a price that is much too low for the quality of our products - but silly me - I'd rather have a little from a lot!

At this point we are only taking quantity orders for the Laptop Bag and Backpacks for Corporate use and Branding. My direct email is dori@s1safetyfirst.com so please contact me there for more information.

We will be adding the bags to our site - http://www.s1bags.com/ - within the next 2 months for the public - and know that the response will be overwhelming - especially at a $49.95 price tag!

When security faces the task of monitoring large crowds, S1 will continue to expand our line to fit every need.

We are S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!!!!!

The Secret and More...

2008-12-29T13:17:00.003-05:00

How are we ending this year and beginning a new one? Are we leaving things undone hoping they will take care of themselves or are we realizing that we need to let our minds rest for a bit as we begin 2009. Sometimes taking a step back and reflecting on the successes and near-successes of the past year gives us a renewed sense of purpose and a drive to push ourselves to the next level.

Someone sent me a new link to The Secret - and I am sharing it here on my blog as well as implementing the laws of attraction in my daily life. We are the writers of our own play, the authors of the scripts that govern our lives, and when we focus on the positive we empower ourselves to make our dreams reality.

No matter what happens, their is always a positive lesson to be learned - no matter how difficult the lesson - it can work to our advantage. The mind hears and focuses on the signals we send it - so focusing on the positive elements gives our minds the power to grow strong.

I have learned that my greatest achievements have come out of my lesser ones. Learning from our mistakes is the definition of intelligence - and I am striving to be as intelligent as possible!!!
Even as I have been promoting S1 and our clear bags I have taken a step back to work with others in starting or propelling their business forward. Happily I have had much more success than not - but when I don't succeed I have learned to take the lesson and leave the rest. Not everyone you work with will be successful, but as long as I know I have done the best I can, I am content with the outcome.

So to all of us - here is to a successful, powerful, positive New Year. May the Laws of Attraction bring you all the positive energy and success that you strive for. Surround yourself with the belief that if you see it in your minds eye you can achieve it in your daily life. Your thoughts and feelings are what you will attract into your life - so my New Year's resolution is to focus on the joy of life, the power of the element of surprise and the excitement of exceeding my expectations and finding the magic in each and every achievement.

Happy New Year to all!!!!!

To Blog or Not To Blog...That is the Question!

2008-12-12T11:30:00.002-05:00

To blog or not to blog...the ruling is still out on this one. Some people you speak to will say that blogging is an integral part of your online presence, others will say that blogging is becoming passe and that it is better to use twitter to get yourself out there.

Well - as someone who is finally getting the hang of blogging I just can't jump ship - I want to build this end of my social network, too.

The real question is - why can't you do both? Why can't we blog, tweet, tweem, post, be linkedin, facebook and the list goes on and on and on and on...I'm sure you get the point!

Ultimately, it seems to me that the more of a presence you have online, no matter what the forum, you are getting yourself out there and creating a splinter effect in the online community. Sooner or later something you are doing will be effective.

As someone who is striving to learn as much as possible to make my office as productive as it can be - even with gas going back to 2006 prices - I am going to continue with what I know, learn what I don't and defer to the experts and devote 2-3 hours per week to building an online presence.

Last week, I created our first holiday sale campaign for S1 bags! We are offering 25% off your entire order when you add the code - HH123 at checkout time. Happily, people are responding - please do so if you haven't already - you can do this by visiting www.s1bags.com.

No matter how you decide to promote yourself online, the most important thing is to be consistent. You can't create a presence if you are not present on a continuous basis - so blog, tweet, post, comment and share all that you are doing with your fellow networkers. It is the only way to make networking really work!

Happy Holiday's from S1

2008-12-02T11:49:00.002-05:00

Well - the holiday season is upon us officially - although according to the retail stores this year it actually began before Halloween!

In response to the economic issues we are dealing with this year - S1 - for Safety First - is offering a 25% discount on all our products until December 31, 2008.

To receive this discount - please visit www.s1bags.com to see our newly expanded line of clear bags and backpacks and when you check out in the coupon window type in the code HH123 and just as easy as 123 you will receive a 25% discount on your entire order.

There is no limit to how many times you may use the coupon until the 31st and feel free to share the information with friends and colleagues.

Again - all of us here at S1 wish you and your family a SAFE and happy Holiday Season.

http://promoteclientsandsafetytogether.blogspot.com/

2008-10-30T13:13:00.001-04:00

NFIB

2008-10-22T11:38:00.003-04:00

Hello to all - I can't believe how much time has gone by and how much has happened since my last posting!

Since appearing on MSNBC I have been promoting not only S1 but other businesses and it is true - when you step out of your own way and work on building something for someone else - things just seem to fall into place. It is the whole abundance of the universe coming full circle.

The Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz invited me on her monthly cable show which will air for the month of September on each local access station in CT! The other guest on the show was Andrew Markowski from NFIB - the National Federation of Independent Business. What an amazing organization and one that I must encourage each and every independent business owner to join.

NFIB is the nation's leading small business association with offices in all 50 states. They are a very powerful network of grassroots activists who fight every day for the last 60 years to promote and protect free enterprise in America. NFIB is the leading force in the ongoing battle to safeguard the interests of independent business owners and again, I urge each of you to join so your voice is heard.

After taping the show I spoke with Andy to see what the NFIB could do for my small business. Well, long story to short, he invited me to become part of the Leadership Council Board of Directors and become one of the advocates fighting to make sure the voice of small business is heard. I'll keep you posted as to when this all takes place - so keep your fingers crossed.

I have to tell you - my political involvement has always been being informed enough to make an intelligent decision when I stepped into the voting booth - and that is it. The prospect of going up to Capital Hill - both here in CT and in DC is daunting and exciting at the same time - and I am going to give it my best shot.

For whatever it is worth - take a look at this organization that will not only make sure that your voice it heard but will promote you in their national publication which is printed 6 times a year.

Let me know what you think and I hope that your voice rings out loud and clear as a new member of NFIB. Tell them Dori sent you!!!

S1 on MSNBC Sunday Oct 5th!

2008-09-30T20:21:00.002-04:00

S1 will be featured on MSNBC's Your Business Show and their Elevator Pitch Segment Sunday Oct 5th at 7:30 am EST - 4:30 am on the West Coast - so set your DVR or VCR or TiVo to hear the pitch that keeps on going!!!

It is our first national exposure and couldn't come at a better time as we will be launching our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag and Backpack soon, although my pitch will be for Corporate Sponsorship to enable us to donate our clear bags and backpacks to schools in disadvantaged areas where they are required.

Even as our company grows, our initial mission remains true - keeping our schools safe. Together, we can make a difference!

And The Pitch Goes On...

2008-09-29T10:16:00.002-04:00

Well - the Elevator Pitch is one that just keeps on pitching!

Taking the advise of a colleague I emailed MSNBC about their Elevator Pitch Segment that airs on Sunday am on their Your Business show at 7:30. Long story short, they didn't even wait till they received a video copy of the pitch! Their producer went to our site and found our product "extremely compelling" and had a cancellation - so I am filming on Oct 2nd.

It is amazing to me that this one minute pitch has opened up so many doors for S1. I can't stress enough how much you owe it to your business to define the who, what, where, when, why and how of your company. Crystallizing your vision so others see its potential can bring you to clients you only dreamed of.

Once I have the air date I will post it here and hope you all tune in to hear my pitch! Together, we can make a difference!

The Elevator Pitch Finals!

2008-09-12T13:20:00.003-04:00

Well - this is my first post in a while as I have been traveling. I returned from 10 days Rome, Sicily, Greece, Turkey and Crete - and then 2 days later flew to San Francisco for business - and came back with 3 days to prepare for exhibiting at the Small and Minority Business Showcase and to compete in the finals of the Elevator Pitch Contest sponsored by Microsoft and Instant Imprints on the 11th of Sept. Believe me - I had no idea what time zone I was even in - but was determined to put my best pitch forward.

For those of you who don't know what an elevator pitch is - it is a 30-60 second blurb about the who, what, why, where and how of your company. Who you are, what you do, why you are doing it, where your target marketplace is and how to reach you.

There were 3 finalists and they randomly drew names for presenting order and I was 2nd - the middle child - so a colleague leaned in and said - I'm the middle child, so you'll have to be the overachiever! The actual pitch is in the blog that preceeds this one - so I won't publish it again; I'd hate to be redundant.

Well - when all was said and done - I won the finals!!!!! It felt great and validating to be recognized by my peers as having the best pitch of the initial 28 companies that were cut to the top 3 - and I'll brag a bit and say that I won both of the contests.

So - that is my share for the day. A wonderful friend of mine, Maria says on her business voice mail for the Entrepreneurs Circle that they like to add something of value and will share a book or a quote of a Keiserism each day - so I hope I have added something of value to this blog by sharing how to put together a pitch for your company. You never know when you might be riding to the 40th floor with the CEO who could put your company on the map!

The Elevator Pitch

2008-08-15T09:07:00.002-04:00

Hello fellow bloggers...
Here is the actual pitch that I used to win the contest. Hopefully it will encourage you to create a pitch that will excite people about your company and make them want to learn more - cause lets face it - that's what it is all about!

Hi I’m Dori DeCarlo, Founder and President of S1 – for Safety First.

S1 has a full line of clear bags and backpacks designed to assist with the safety measures being implemented in schools, offices, airports, sports arenas and other public venues.

After Columbine as a mom, I wanted to find a way to keep our schools safe and began S1with our Standard and Mini Backpack, Messenger Bag and Wheelchair Bag because I didn’t want to say to a child in a wheelchair, “Oh maybe someday we’ll make a bag for you.”

Our manufacturer uses the thickest materials available, offers a 3 year warranty and I worked with Chiropractors on the ergonomic design of our products all to ensure that S1 bags are CLEARLY the finest see through bags available worldwide.

We began with 4 bags and this fall numbers 15 and 16 hit the market - our Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag and Backpack that meet TSA requirements so travelers don’t need to remove their laptop when going through security.

Visit S1Bags.com or call me at 203 924 6577. We’re S1 – the CLEAR advantage!

Elevator Pitch Contest

2008-08-14T16:42:00.003-04:00

Well - usually I am sharing information I have gleaned in my Internet travels but today I am doing just a bit of self-promotion - so bear with me. I am so excited to share that the CT Small and Minority Business Association had an Elevator Pitch Contest this morning and I won!

You had 60 seconds to give your pitch about your company - the who, what, why, when, and where and the top 3 aggregate scores won a free booth, sponsored by Microsoft, at the fall Small Business Showcase and I was the first place winner!!!! Check out our site www.s1bags.com and see what we are about and why our mission was compelling!

The contest was part of the Small and Minority Business Association out of the Secretary of State's Office and Harland Henry and his staff, Ashley Mala, Terra Jasper and Alex did an amazing job as always! Leslie Mara, Deputy Secretary of State was there to welcome all of us and learn more about of collective companies. I have said it before - I hope that other states are as lucky with their public officials and their staff as we are here in CT.

It was so cool and I was so proud that they understood the message and mission of S1 and that I had the highest score. #3 was a motivational speaker and #2 was a corporate story teller - so I was in very good company. Almost 30 different businesses were represented and it was amazing to see the diverse companies in CT.

The Host from Microsoft also chose me, before the winners were announced, as his favorite pitch and gave me the new split wireless keyboard and mouse as a prize. This is one of my first communications using it and it takes a bit of getting use to - but the ergonomic design is suppose to offer better support for your wrists and once you get the hang of it - it really is a great keyboard - with more launch buttons than a NASA board!!!

Anyway - I wanted to share the news with my new network of friends! Have a great day - and don't forget to develop that Elevator Pitch for your company - you never know when you might need it!

Check our Marketers-R-Us

2008-08-06T16:02:00.002-04:00

Marketers-R-Us! Hey I don't know about you but I grew up a Toys-R-Us kid becoming a Marketers-R-Us adult seems like the natural progression!
They are a new and very exciting networking resource and will prove to be cutting edge - so join now and make more of an online presence for yourself and your company. Tell them Dori sent you!

View my page on Marketers-R-Us

Making New Connections

2008-07-31T10:35:00.003-04:00

Networking is such a powerful tool and you never know who is going to lead you to someone that is going to make a real difference in your business and your outlook. As a woman in business I sometimes find it surprising how reticent other women are in working together and sharing resources. I am not sure if it goes back to the dating competition or what - but it is sometimes disheartening to me to see women almost jockeying for space rather than gaining strength in alliances. This is not always the case, and hopefully it is getting better, but it still comes up.

Well - yesterday was NOT one of those days! I urge you all to take a look at the Entrepreneur Circle and their blog - http://resourceforbusiness.blogspot.com/ developed by an incredibly dynamic woman, Maria Keiser; she is a force to be reckoned with. We were suppose to meet for about an hour and four hours later had a hard time leaving! It is so uplifting to meet someone so focused in assisting others grow their businesses. As a person who is committed to making a difference we connected even before we met.

Again I am continuously amazed at how a mom like me who just wanted to keep our kids safe has gone on to meet the amazing people that I am connecting with. I've worked with my partners to take www.s1bags.com from 4 products to 16 in 4 short years! It just goes to show you that if you have a dream and make a commitment to make it a reality it can happen. Time is what it is and anything worth having must be worth working for - so don't focus on how long the journey is - focus on learning while on the journey - then the time won't matter.

I hope that this blog is working to make it easier to find resources to build your business and strengthen your networking connection - so join me on the journey. Together, we can make a difference.

Promote Clients and Safety Together.

2008-07-28T12:38:00.002-04:00

Well it has been a busy Monday morning for me - thankfully! I have had more people contact me today looking to promote their clients and love the safety element that S1 Bags brings to the table. Our clear bags and backpacks give marketing and promotional companies to opportunity to take a premium product and personalize them to brand and promote their clients while offering a timely item.

It is amazing how many companies are looking for something new and unique and want to combine minimizing time spent at security checkpoints with a quality product that is cutting edge. Visit our site - www.s1bags.com and you will see why S1 bags are the finest transparent bags on the market.

Security measures are being implemented everywhere and S1 is looking to make it easier for safety and convenience to coexist. With high-quality, durable designs, S1 bags are clearly safer, clearly stronger and clearly more comfortable than the flimsy see-through plastic carryalls that many people have purchased as fashion accessories through the years. Heavyweight, temperature-resistant vinyl, fabric lined and reinforced seams and a three-year warranty against manufacturers’ defects guarantee each S1 purchaser a bag that will last.

I hope that you will join us as we expand our product on a global marketplace. Believe me, if I can do it with my mission and product line - you can too. Take the time to look at what we do and lets see how we can best work together to make it safe out there for us all. S1 - the CLEAR Advantage!

Making the Network Work for You.

2008-07-24T10:22:00.002-04:00

Well - in finding all these new resources literally at my fingertips now I am looking to make the networking really work! Too many times I see people joining groups or networking sites and then never updating their profiles or looking at what others are doing to get their name out to others in the social networks they are signing up for.

When I first sent out connection requests I simply looked for someone that I thought might be interested in sharing contacts and information without really seeing if they were actively involved in their networking. Now, I look at the last time they updated their profile, added information, posted to their blog and generally to see if they were really looking to grow their network or just here for no other reason than to have their name somewhere.

Believe me I was just as guilty in not updating my information and have since learned that all you need to do is change one word or two and it is an entirely new submission and shows that you are active in your networking. Having joined numerous networks in the last few months I am committed to devoting time each day - even if it is only a half hour - to logging on, answering messages and getting my information out there. With a company like S1 - for Safety First - our audience is far reaching. When you visit our site www.s1bags.com you will see what I mean. With a full line of see through bags and backpacks we are really open to everyone whether for business, travel, pleasure or back to school, we have a bag for your every need.

That is why it was hard in the beginning for me to know who best to contact. Even though S1 has a product for everyone connecting with everyone is not the answer. I would rather have fewer connections that are truly interested in sharing ideas, business building and other services than a network of hundreds or thousands that are doing nothing.

So with all that said, take the time to see if the person you are reaching out to is someone that is looking to network to the fullest or if they are just there for so their name is out there. It takes a couple of extra minutes but it is well worth it.

A New Network and a Great New Product!

2008-07-21T10:15:00.005-04:00

Hello to all that are finding this blog a helpful place to find new insight to building an on-line presence through social networking and new on-line tools. I am bringing two new things to light today - Marketers-R-Us and Talk Fusion.

You can visit Marketers-R-Us at http://marketersrus.ning.com. They are the newest site that I have found that is completely focused on business building and networking. Lloyd Dugan is an excellent source for marketing and networking and he is building a site that is targeting the strong business minded people that I am looking to connect with - an hopefully you are too!

The new product I want to share is Talk Fusion - and you can visit them at http://talkfusion.com/1000695. This newest video email technology is the coolest one I have ever seen and even if you choose to incorporate it with another program to deliver your message the videos you can produce are amazing. Take a look and let me know what you think.

These are the 2 new places that I am working with to see how we can get our product and services out there and hope you will join me in my effort to become a strong on-line presence and resource. I hope that sharing my mission and my site site - www.s1bags.com I can find a way to assist a parent find a clear bags for their child going back to school, aid a traveler who wants to cut time at security, a fan going to a ballgame and wanting to bring in your things into the stadium or business people who are interested in new timely products for your office or clients - I know that S1 has all your clear bag needs in mind.

It still amazes me that I have gone from a mom trying to keep our schools safe to someone that is learning all that I can about how to make the WWW really work for me and for you! I hope that the information that I continue to share along with our products is helpful to all. Remember - together we CAN make a difference.

More Social Networking.

2008-07-15T09:49:00.004-04:00

As we all navigate these new waters of on-line social networking I wanted to bring a new site to you all. Perfect Networker, the online home for serious business professionals.

Perfect Networker Online is one of several tools created to provide you with a comprehensive business networking system, designed specifically to allow you to create, strengthen and nurture long term, win-win, mutually beneficial relationships with other business professionals who make relationship building a priority in their business. You can learn more about them at www.perfectnetworker.com - and right now they are offering a free life-time membership to the first 1000 people that sign up on their network - just tell them Dori sent you!

Personally I think this is a great site - they are new and innovative and are doing all they can to be cutting edge - so look for new features on a regular basis.

One of the biggest things I have learned about being an on-line presence is getting your name out there in more than one network. Also - it is very important to fill in the little things they ask like your favorite movies or books. Believe it or not, people can find out who you are with these little things. In the beginning of my on-line journey, I always left this blank because I was there for business - not to make friends! Well - I quickly learned that business often develops when people see that they have things in common with you. Simple things can make you interesting as you develop an on-line network of people. Our diversity is what makes us unique and our likes bring us closer to someone that may be on the other side of the country or the world for that matter! Guess what - it really is a world wide web!!!

I am constantly amazed at how our products strike a cord in the network that I am building. Who would have thought that trying to keep our schools safe by designing clear bags and backpacks would branch out into shipping to Australia for correctional facility officers! Go figure - I am just a mom who wanted to make a difference. See for yourself how our products can assist you - visit us at www.s1bags.com and let me know what you think. How can we help you or your company or your not for profit group - please - let me know how!

Technorati Link

2008-07-11T09:43:00.002-04:00

Technorati Profile

Technorati is a great way to promote and track your blog or weblog. They regularly update search, surface and organize blogs and otehr forms of user genterated content to assist as you are looking to become an online presence. Visit www.technorati.com to register your blog and get noticed!

Becoming an On-Line Presence

2008-07-10T10:40:00.004-04:00

Becoming an on-line presence is something that I am learning more and more about on a daily basis; there is so much to grasp as I delve into 2.0 technology!

I just want to say this to those ignorant of computer technology people out there - I am one of YOU - I know NOTHING about computers and half of what they are talking about - but I can follow simple directions and it is as easy as a click of your mouse or hitting enter on the keyboard - and you look like an absolute technology wizard. It is the old adage in business - "Fake it till you make it!" I can't believe how easy it has been to update my blog with www.Widgets.com and www.Feedblitz.com because they have links with just a click, copy and paste - it is so simple but something that I was so afraid to even attempt. Now what widgets are I still don't truly grasp - but I learned that they are really important -so there you go!!!

When I first started to learn about all of this through webinars and teleseminars my eyes would actually being to glass over and I had to take copious notes just to stay awake because it was all gibberish to me. I can't pinpoint which learning experience finally got through but all of a sudden I finally HEARD what was being said - I finally really LISTENED and there it was. There are places on-line where the links are in place for you to take advantage of - and it is just that simple.

Through www.FastPitchNetworking.com I learned where to make these things happen - and have expanded my network with the amazing technology available on their site. You can become a free member or pay different prices for various services - and whatever you choose - they offer a great network and up-to-date technology right at your fingertips. They even link up with other networks like Facebook and LinkedIn for more exposure.

ShopINUSCities.com is a newer social networking site that I also recommend as it has the right blend of business and pleasure and as a newer site will continue to offer new updated services as they grow. I don't know about you - but I love being in on the ground floor as things grow. It is also a personal connection that brings me to them - through S1, my company that has a full line of clear bags and backpacks, we are committed to the Merchant Scholarship Fund that www.ShopInUSCities.com has created. I urge you to see what they are doing and become part of this great network committed to bettering our communities.

See there are on-line social networks that offer business that makes a difference! Making a difference has been the driving force in my beginning www.S1bags.com and now in trying to become an on-line presence to assist others in building their dream one day at a time; understand that the challenges are what make us strong.

Come with me! Be part of the adventure because it is true, "Together, we can make a difference!"

More Networking Steps!

2008-07-07T12:58:00.002-04:00

Well- I have come to learn that it is not enough to blog - you have to read other blogs and comment on them, too!!! What an interesting concept - learning from what others do!!! Go figure!!!

Now - when I look back on the learning process, I guess this should be an obvious step - but who are we kidding here. Just as in networking - we have to really invest time and energy in learning about those we are developing networking connections with.

We need to share ideas, bring new products and concepts to each other, and find the best ways to see how the process of networking can really be something beneficial to all involved.

At the same time, we need to remember why we began. We have a product or service or idea or mission to share and we want to find the best ways possible to bring our dreams to fruition as we work to help others do the same. Well - at least that is why I started S1. First and foremost I had a mission to keep our children safe - and have continued on that course even though we have expanded into so many other areas of safety and security.

I welcome your ideas, your commitments to networking, and hope that I can find a way to be of service as you pursue your dreams. Visit me at www.s1bags.com and drop me an email - or leave a comment and I will return the favor.

Also - give me ideas of what blogs are addressing networking, safety, parental concerns, travel and other venues where we fit in. I promise to do the same. See - together we can make a difference!

Networking Through the Summer!

2008-07-03T09:30:00.002-04:00

Well - summer is here and with that comes a lull in networking. People are on vacations, have kids to deal with, or are just too darn hot to worry about making the most of their networks and connections.

I for one am doing all that I can to take advantage of the telesiminars and webinars that are available to learn all that I can about the new technology and how best to make my computer and world-wide business center.

There is a wealth of information out there if you are willing to look, listen and learn. For me, learning about this is akin to listening to Charlie Brown's teacher in the Peanuts show - "wa, wa, wa...wa, wa, wa wa wa!" Even so - I am still trying all that I can to apply what the experts have talked about, widgets, twitter and tweeting, social networks and all the rest!

I have to tell you - for a mom who's only mission was keeping guns and drugs out of schools - the growth of our network is astounding. When I began S1 it was for the sole purpose of keeping our learning environments safe - now if you visit our site - www.s1bags.com - you can see how my mission has grown and now encompasses keeping us safe no matter where we are. I have to say - what an amazing ride this has been - and the journey continues.

I invite all of you to join me in this adventure. Please, send comments, give me advise and just plain work with me on this. I know together, we can make a difference.

Where Do We Start Building a Network?

2008-06-30T16:36:00.003-04:00

When I decided to create an on-line presence - I had to ask myself "Where do I start building a network?" I have been a mom for 20 years and I was at the point that I was basically a chef and a chauffer when I was blessed with a friends 14 month old son while she was seeking medical treatment. Well - something that was to last a few weeks turned into 16 amazing months of having a toddler in my life and looking for ways to reinvent my business!

Thankfully, the first place I found was Fast Pitch! Their are so comprehensive and had so many services to offer that I was able to work from my office rather than being on the road and still build a successful business - and most importantly - a strong network!

Having a network of like-minded business people to bounce ideas off of, look to gain knowledge, build a client base and all the other perks that come from getting to see how each one of us can bring something new to the table is an exciting thing.

It is funny, but until I started networking on line - I never realized how much corporations would embrace the product line that I developed. For me, I started my company because as a mother I couldn't even begin to imagine what parents of children that have been lost to school violence experienced. There is not ONE child in this world that is expendable and I just wanted to make a difference in the life of one child - any more than that and I have been truly blessed.

S1 - for Safety First - has just begun our 4th year. We began with 4 bags and have expanded to 16 different bags and backpacks and will be launching 2 new checkpoint friendly laptop bags in the fall. Wow!!! For a mom just looking to make a difference, it has been an amazing journey.

Please join S1 as we work to bring our products to schools, offices, airports, sports arenas and anywhere else where security faces the challenge of monitoring large crowds. I welcome your comments and suggestions and any other ideas you might wish to share. Visit us at www.s1bags.com and give us your feedback on how to keep our product line timely, fashionable and on the money. Help our world-wide network grow. Together, we can make a difference.

Social Networking at its BEST!!!

2008-06-26T15:58:00.003-04:00

I don't know about you - but with all the on-line social networking going on - how do any of us differentiate between which sites are promoting a strong business stand and which sites are purely for socializing - and what is best to do?

If you are like me, you are looking for that right blend of business and pleasure all rolled into one. It is amazing just how many networking opportunities there are!!!

For me, I think that the best way to really communicate a business-like persona is finding the sites that are truly devoted to assisting you in marketing your business. I think that Fast Pitch is a great place to start - they are constantly updating the features and are on the cutting edge. ShopInUSCities.com is a newer on-line presence, and one that is adding more and more features daily.

I have been learning more and more about how to reach out to my fellow on-line networkers and begin relationships one at a time on a global level. It really is a world-wide-web!

I am constantly amazed how people are looking at our products as a solution to a problem. Whether it is cutting time at checkpoints, keeping manufacturing rooms "clean", branding their logo and giving clients a timely gift, wanting to bring things into a ballgame or concert or because their child's school has just made it mandatory for them to carry clear bags and backpacks, S1 is catching on!

Become part of the solution! Visit us at www.s1bags.com - see our line of products - and let me know what you think! I am always interested in finding new ways to make this dream of mine happen.

I've said it before and I say it again, we are - S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Putting the Work into Networking!

2008-06-24T15:58:00.004-04:00

As I all navigate through the new technology, I am trying ultimately to reach out to other business professionals who are looking to build a strong network in a diverse business climate.

S1 has a unique timely way to brand your corporate identity as well as promote your company and its unique position in the marketplace.

As I continue to expand our outreach as well as our product line it is exciting to see how well the corporate world is receiving our products. As I post in my profile, I am just a mom who wanted to find a way to keep our children safe in their learning environment, which is how S1 - for Safety First - began. Sadly, the change in security world-wide has expanded my business in ways I never dreamed possible - well - dreamed yes - but actually see as a reality - it is amazing!!!

It just goes to show you - "thoughts are things!" So never stop pursuing your goals and always remember to reach out the next person as they fulfill their dreams. Together, we can make a difference.

I invite you to post comments and let me know how the safety and security issues have effected your schools, offices, travel plans and enjoying going to public venues and dealing with security. I am interested in assisting with the solutions to make security checkpoints an easy stop for all of us.

Please visit my site - www.s1bags.com to see just how far this dream has progressed. Here's to having a vision and making it a reality!

Security Friendly Laptop Bags

2008-06-19T16:18:00.001-04:00

The TSA is going to permit passengers to use Security Friendly Laptop Bags to cut time spent at checkpoints in airports. These bags will permit travelers to leave their laptop inside their bag and open it in a way that will let the laptop lie flat in the bin when opened.

S1 - for Safety First - will be introducing two new bags this fall that will fall under the TSA guidelines. Our Laptop Messenger Bag and our Laptop Backpack will enable travelers to choose from two different style bags that will adhere to the new policies being enforced by security personnel.

No more removing your laptop to go through checkpoints. This should ease the minds of the more than 250,000 passengers a day that carry laptops onto the plane.

Signs will be posted stating that you must remove your laptop for screening unless you are using a Security Friendly Laptop Bag.

As always, S1 remains on the cutting edge. When security faces the task of monitoring large crowds, S1 will continue to offer the top of the line Security Friendly bags - all backed with a 3 year warranty against manufacturers defects.

Visit www.S1bags.com to see our full line and watch for our newest bags - our Security Friendly Messenger Bag and our Security Friendly Backpack.

S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!

Follow-up is the KEY to Successful Networking.

2008-05-23T14:22:00.003-04:00

Ever attend an event, gather business cards and then forget where you picked them up or who the person is on the front of that card? This is the number one problem when attending an event - following up with the leads that you have made. When do you follow up? Do you contact them the minute you return to the office or do you wait a bit until the dust settles? Well - I am from the old school that when someone has been to an event and out of the office for a day it is best to let the dust settle and permit them time to catch up with the things they missed - so I wait a few days - no more than 3 business days - and then send an email thanking them for stopping by my booth if I was exhibitor, complimenting them on theirs if they were showing, or letting them know I enjoyed meeting them at the networking event.

No matter how you meet someone, the potential is there for a business contact. Even if they don't need your product or services, they just might know someone who does. I was at an event and spoke to a woman about S1 and our line of clear bags and backpacks and she said she really didn't think it was anything she could use, but found the company and concept interesting, so she asked me for a brochure. Well - I received a phone call from her the next afternoon because she had been talking with her cousin over morning coffee on the phone and her cousin said she was going to hunt to find a clear backpack because her son's school has just made it mandatory for the students. Well, she laughed telling me how she went to her bag and took out the brochure to give her cousin our website info. [BTW - the cousin ordered our large wheeled backpack]

Arriving at work, she was in the morning meeting when the boss came in and was complaining about the security lines at the airport and wondered why no one had a line of clear travel bags to cut time at security checkpoints. Well - again she reached into her bag and brought out the brochure to give him our website. [He wound up ordering our Gym bag - perfect for the overhead bins and our Deluxe Laptop Briefcase.] The woman I met called me because she had to laugh that the first two conversations she had the next day involved people who needed our clear bags - and here she thought she would never know anyone that would!!!

See - you never know where your next sale comes from or when you connect with someone where it might lead. So - follow-up with those contacts, share your business or service or product with the people you meet. You never know where your next sale will come from!!! Take a look at our site - www.s1bags.com - maybe you know someone who will need our products to raise funds, cut time at security, brand their logo, give a unique timely gift or perhaps just go to a ballgame and not have to empty out their bags!!! S1 - we ARE the CLEAR advantage!!!

Small Business is Big Business in CT!!!

2008-05-22T20:02:00.003-04:00

Having just returned from the Small and Minority Business Showcase in Waterbury CT I have to say that Small Business is really Big Business here in CT!.

73% of the businesses here in CT have less than 9 employees! How amazing is that?!?!

The Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz and Harland Henry, the amazing gentleman that runs these showcases, take a hands on approach to small business here in CT. I can only hope that other states have a Secretary of State and staff that care enough to know you by your first name on sight.

I am amazed at how kind and professional the entire staff of Ms. Bysiewicz is - which only goes to show what a gracious and caring official she is. In this day and age of businesses closing all around the country, she and her staff do all that they can to promote our businesses and bring us to the forefront to make our dreams a reality.

When so many of us feel that our elected officials do nothing for us on an individual basis I can honestly say that CT is so very lucky and blessed to have an official like Susan Bysiewicz who not only gives speeches and makes appearances but actually fights for Small Business each and every day! Talk about a CLEAR advantage! She is the real deal - and so is Harland Henry and their entire staff.

Many thanks for a great day!

Does Networking Really Work!?!?!

2008-05-12T12:02:00.002-04:00

So - does networking really work? As someone who is becoming a queen of the networking scene I can attest to the fact that networking is the way to go. Utilizing the internet and the great networking sites out there can really open your company up on a global scale - but you have to be sure to make the most out of your time.
If you are looking for business networking check out ShopInUSCities.com and their networking capabilities. They are brand new and on the cutting edge. FastPitchNetworking.com is another great avenue for making the most out of your computer.
Believe me, the internet has opened me up to contacts that I never would have made otherwise, but I think I will always prefer the one-on-one meeting - but that is because I am more old school and have to get out of my own way and join the new century!!!
Make networking really work for you. Follow up with your leads and contacts and devote a specific amount of time each day or week to connecting with those sites that can promote who you are and the mission behind your company.
Find ways to brand your company and your logo so when people think of that product or service, they think of you! For my part - when people think of clear bags and backpacks I want them to think of Dori and S1 bags. Yes, that's right - I am the classiest "bag lady" out there and want my network to know that - so when you think of see-through bags that will speed your time at security checkpoints or brand your company and your logo as cutting edge think of dori@s1bags.com. Together, we can make a difference and make networking really count!!!

Cut your time at Security Checkpoints!

2008-04-11T12:37:00.004-04:00

Tired of being stuck on that endless security checkpoint line? Ever try to bring things into a ballpark only to have your bag emptied out into a clear garbage bag after being rifled through by some security guard? Want to bring something on the plane without having to hassle with the safety officers? We have the CLEAR advantage for everyone!

S1 and our full line of clear bags, backpacks, corporate, school, sports, travel and wheelchair bags can make coexisting in this safety conscience world much easier. The CLEAR advantage is having a bag made from the finest clear material available at a price that is affordable. Let's face it, as consumers we have all learned that "Cheap is EXPENSIVE" so don't cut corners to save a few dollars, only to have to get a new clear bag to replace the bargain one you previously purchased. Visit us at www.s1bags.com and view the finest most comprehensive line of quality clear bags on the market.

Let's take the pain and hassle out of keeping our schools, offices, airports and other public transportation, sports arenas and other venues safe. When security has to monitor large groups of people, let S1 make it easier on all of us. Together, we can make a difference.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2008-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:00

2008 promises to be a great year - and we are looking to make things easier - both personally and professionally with our line of clear bags and backpacks.
Whether you need to cut down on time spent at security checkpoints or you need to create a clean work environment - or you just want to be able to find things in your bag easier - we have the line of products for you!!!
Security issues are only going to continue to pose a problem and using clear bags will make it easier to work with the safety efforts. Why let someone go through your things - when seeing them is so much more private than having them poke through them??? Visit www.s1bags.com and see how easy we can make things! S1 - The CLEAR Advantage!!!

Beware of Bankers Bringing Gifts!!!!!

2007-10-13T21:29:00.000-04:00

Ever gone to a conference to listen to bankers promising to lend money to you to start up your new business??? All you need is a sound business plan, projections, decent credit and they have millions to lend you to start your business!!! RIGHT!!!

The one thing they neglect to tell you is that you have to show them that you DON'T NEED THE MONEY!!!! They forget to mention that you need assets - i.e. - a house, stocks, land - something they can hold over your head! You need major collateral no matter how sound your business plan is!!!

I am so tired of listening to smarmy bankers smile and tell you how friendly they are to the new entrepreneur and how much they want to help you get your new business venture off the ground. In reality - once you show them you really DON'T need their money to get started - or once you are really making money in your new business - that is when they will be more than willing to lend you ANYTHING you need!!!

That doesn't mean that every once in a while the new business doesn't win - but you better meet some kind of quota for that to happen. So - rely on yourself, build your business one day at a time - and let the bank come to you - for most of us, it is our only chance!!!

I was at a conference just the other day and spoke to the VP of the bank that my company does business with about this very subject. Well - instead of listening to my concerns, having been turned down by them for everything from an SBA loan to PO financing - he tried to walk away from me. Well - I told him as the VP of the bank I use and am so unhappy with - he should make it his priority to find out how he can assist with the growth of my company. Unfortunately - he didn't see it that way and turned his back on me and walked out the door.

For the sake of the good people that work there - I won't mention the name of the private bank serving Connecticut - but that is only because I have integrity - whereas he has a cushy job and a fake smile and goes around giving people false hope in starting their businesses.

Take heart - most of us that are willing to go out on a limb and begin our own business will not let a smooth talker like this win. We make it happen on our own. Only then will your bank become friendly and interested in making your business grow. Don't let them fool you with the numbers - until their numbers include you!!!

New Alliance Brings Fund Raising Flexibility to YOUR Community

2007-09-19T08:20:00.000-04:00

Following a successful collaboration to provide safe backpacks filled with school supplies to the Deerfield Run Elementary School in Laurel, the two principal benefactors have formed a long-term alliance to help kids throughout the entire area. ShopInUSCities.com, whose local website ShopInLaurel.com facilitated the Deerfield Run donation, and S1 Safety First, the distributor of the see-through backpacks, announced their alliance today. “S1 really stepped up to the plate. They are matching our model of giving half of our revenue to the community” said Glenn Garnes, founder of ShopInUSCities.com.

Whereas ShopInUSCities.com places half of its revenue into a separately-managed college scholarship fund for use by local residents who sign up for the free service, S1 is giving half of its revenue to the organizations who make the specialty bags available to their members through a unique fund-raising approach. “Car washes and bake sales can’t match this kind of approach – these folks can make real money for their organizations while providing a product that people really want and many school systems are now requiring” commented Dori DeCarlo, President of S1. Indeed, because they minimize the chances that drugs or weapons can be brought into schools, see-through backpacks are now required in some schools in at least 35 states.

The fundraising approach is focused on ease-of-use to encourage participation. Organizations simply email their members to make them aware of the S1 products, including a full line of clear bags, backpacks, wheelchair bags, sports bags, travel bags and wheeled backpacks, and the members enter the code unique to that organization when they purchase from the S1 website. With the bags retailing between $22.95 and $49.95, the organizations can pocket between $11.90 and $24.90 of every sale. The organizations can also place links on their own websites or hold special events to generate sales.

The S1 products are also being made available for retail purchase at participating merchants that are part of ShopInUSCities.com. For every sale made at these merchants’ storefronts, S1 Safety First will donate an additional 5% to the merchant scholarship fund.

This new fundraising option supplements the existing fundraising strategy being used by organizations who partner with ShopInUSCities.com, giving them one more option. Under that approach, the organizations empower their members to sign up merchants to participate in the community websites operated by ShopInUSCities.com. In addition to helping the community by facilitating substantial contributions to the merchant scholarship fund, the organizations benefit financially by keeping a percentage of each listing fee. These fees continue to provide long-term funding to the organizations because they are paid each year when the merchants renew their participation.

About ShopInUSCities.com

ShopInUSCities.com's main focus is using funds provided by merchants who participate in their community websites to fund scholarships for college-bound children in those communities. Merchants pay a fee to participate in a local merchant directory and half of that fee is contributed to the scholarship fund. The company also maintains a community email list of member residents who are eligible for prizes and special savings offered by participating merchants, and free access to community events and workshops offered throughout the year.

About S1 Safety First

S1 Safety First was founded by a mom concerned for her kids’ safety. Initially begun to assist with the safety measures being implemented in schools, S1 is now on the forefront of addressing these issues nationwide in sports arenas, airports, institutions and in workplaces where security personnel need to monitor large volumes of people. The products are constructed of heavy-weight, temperature-resistant vinyl, fabric- lined and reinforced seams, and carry a 3-year warranty against manufacturers’ defects. They were also developed with chiropractors to incorporate and ergonomic design. Utilizing curved padded straps and a waist belt to evenly distribute the weight of the materials inside, they are clearly safer, clearly stronger and clearly more comfortable than other products on the market.

Back to School Needs Being CLEARLY Met!

2007-07-31T09:36:00.000-04:00

Well - as our children head back to school, more and more are required to carry clear bags or no bags because of the safety issues that we are facing in our learning environments.

S1 is meeting these challenges head-on with our full line of clear bags and backpacks. More and more schools are working with us to ensure that their students are carrying the finest clear bags on the market.

As consumers we all know that "Cheap is expensive" so why not buy a product that you know will stand up to the day to day wear and tear that our children inflict on any and all of their things.

Visit us at www.s1bags.com to see our full line and purchase a product that will last. Parents want safety - kids want cool - and S1 is there to satisfy all! Be part of the solution and help keep our learning environments safe. Together, we can make a difference.

S1 ~ The advantages are CLEAR!

Together we can make a difference!

2007-07-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

Together, we can make a difference. This is how I sign all my business correspondence and it is so very true.

The On-Line Security Authority and BlogTalkRadio did an amazing interview online with our company promoting our company and our mission to keep our children safe.

As we all send our children back to school, more and more of our schools are requiring them to carry a clear bag or backpack when they return.

As parents, we have all learned that Cheap is Expensive - so we have the finest line of clear bags and backpacks available to give parents a clear choice when they purchase thier bags!

Parents want safety, kids want cool! All our bags are designed to look great and really stand up to the day to day wear and tear of daily use.

Visit us at www.s1bags.com and see the finest line of clear bags available on the market! S1 - The Advantages are CLEAR!

School Safety is an Issue Now More Than EVER!

2007-07-14T08:36:00.000-04:00

Daily, schools are contacting us regarding our clear bags and backpacks as they are heading into the new school year and updating security measures in the learning enviromemt.

More and more parents are demanding that schools take a stronger part in keeping our children safe and want a good quality product to assist in these measures.

As consumers we have all learned that 'cheap is expensive' and in the long run paying a few dollars more for top quality saves money in the long run.

Visit us at www.s1basgs.com to see our full line of clear bags and backpacks Work with S1 to keep our children safe! Together, we can make a difference.

Airport Security Concerns!

2007-07-05T10:29:00.000-04:00

Hi All -
Well - having just gone to the airport with a friend to drop off her son the need for clear bags is more apparent to me than ever!
The lines just to get into the airport were huge as they were searching vehicles and then trying to check bags was even worse.
I always carry a clear mini messenger bag as my purse and more than one security guard stopped me to ask where I purchased the bag and if I had any information to leave them!
Visit www.s1bags.com and make time at security checkpoints smoother and faster than before. S1 - the advantages are CLEAR!

Cooperation - not Competition!!!

2007-06-26T20:49:00.000-04:00

Now how is that for a business concept?!?!?!?

Why don't we all stop "competing" and realize there is enough to go around. Reward your fellow entrepreneur - don't undercut them to make you look _______ you can fill in the blank with all the underhanded things done in business.

What do you have to say about it???

What a network we are developing...

2007-06-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

Unbelievable.
There is not a day that goes by that I do not meet someone that needs and wants our clear bags. Whether they are looking to promote an event or just tired of having to dump their contents out everytime they go out in a public arena or airport - S1 is jumping off like crazy.
Visit our website - www.s1bags.com and see the clear advantages to using our products day to day.
S1 - The advantages are CLEAR!!!

CT, MA and NY Businesswomen Unite!!!

2007-06-18T11:53:00.000-04:00

I welcome all businesswomen in the Tri-State areas of CT, MA, and NY to join Tri-state Businesswomen through FastPitch Network Marketing.

This forum is open to women of all ages and backgrounds - it is here to share our strengths and ideas and to support each other as we develop our businesses.

We welcome all ideas from motivated women!!!
Together - we can make a difference.

FastPitch Group for NY, CT and MA Businesswomen

2007-06-16T09:20:00.000-04:00

Looking to network in the tri-state area with other strong-minded businesswomen looking to make a difference.
Are you interested in connecting with focused powerful women that understand the challenges of managing family life with the businessworld and are making a success of both?
Share your ideas, goals and daily suggestions to move your business onto the forefront of your field.

Corporations Clearly See the Advantages of S1 Bags

2007-06-14T11:15:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to have just custom designed a laptop bag for IBM in Hopewell Junction, NY for use by their cleanroom personnel. It is exciting to see how the corporate world is seeing the clear advantages to using our bags for their employees. IBM set out to find a clear bag to carry a laptop and other peripherals into their manufacturing facilities cleanroom and S1 custom designed a new laptop bag for their specific needs which combined features of our Messenger Bag and Laptop Briefcase.

Many companies and corporations are making carrying a clear bag mandatory for all personnel and are confident that S1 will provide them a professional product designed to last. As consumers, we have all learned that ‘cheap is expensive.’ I set out to create bags that are cool, comfortable, and durable and at the same time face safety issues head-on with our premium line of clear bags

Whether branding your company logo, creating sales kits, maintaining the integrity of manufacturing rooms, assisting with security measures and checkpoints or using as corporate gifts and giveaways the growing line of S1 products will continue to fit your every need. Our line of clear bags is available online at www.S1bags.com or by calling 203 924 6577 for all custom orders and other information.