Ally Loprete

The biggest regrets come from the failure to think big from the start. Stop and consider for a moment that we really do have access to the same tools and resources- in everything we do. You may not have been born with the natural ability to understand business, but learning the skills that you need to take action is as easy as choosing to absorb new insight. Their are infinite channels of enterprise available worldwide with immediate results at almost no cost - and learning to leverage these channels is worth more than any price tag. It all begins with a little bit of hunger for knowledge. As a busy work-at-home parent, the digital age can be a blessing and a curse. Emerging media sources are exploding, but traditional media platforms still play an important role in giving exposure to small business. If only you knew how to cut through that fierce competition. Remember that everything worthwhile comes with hard work and perseverance. Most of the time, the reward is simply given to the ones who never threw in

You already know you have a powerful message to broadcast. You've fine-tuned the branding of your product, the specific wording of your tag-lines and logos, but now its time to color your personality and give yourself the voice you need to BROADCAST EFFECTIVELY. Using the tools you already have like your voice and your poise, you can perfect any message you have by using subtle strokes like intonation, pace, volume and tonality. Very often it is these slightly intensified qualities that resonate with your potential clients at such a subconscious level that they often are not even aware of the influence that you have over them. It is tools like these that build great leaders and get others to take immediate action. Perfect your personality and it'll feel like waving a magic wand over anyone you want to call into action. If you are looking for a way to gain that extra magnetism that will allow you to project a quality message with clarity and authority, you won't want to miss tomorrow's show. From training Holl

Flustered or unfazed? I am all about simple. Actually that is a blatant lie. I often look at others who seem to have it all together and I wonder what it would be like if I simplified the chaos in my life. On the days that I do actually feel caught up and organized- it doesn't last long. I imagine it's because a clean slate is an inviting opportuntity to take on a messy new project. Which makes me wonder... Do we thrive on chaos? If there is one thing I've gotten really good at, it's learning to dissect everything. Our lives are like one big puzzle to be solved and each experience brings us new clues to live more fully, abundantly, and purposefully. I just got back from speaking to a deeply passionate and intimate group of people at the Booya Bootcamp with Martin Presse. As a speaker I am hired to inspire -- An absolute dream job. Especially when I think about how inspired I get when I listen to everyone else's stories. I absolutely love connecting with new people. I am always shocked to learn how completely

Whatever challenges you are up against are opportunities for you to resolve -- not just for yourself, but for the rest of the world. It's been a little while since we've heard from you. Time to check in and let us know what is happening in your world, what is challenging you, blocking you, or keeping you from reaching your goals. I am here for you and I am keeping the phone lines open. If you would like to reserve your coaching spot on tomorrow's show, fill out this form, or call in live: 877-864-4869 Back by popular demand, it's a free coaching day! Whatever you are feeling limited by, now is your chance to find a solution before paying it forward to someone else. That is how it works in the parent entrepreneur culture. It is no accident that we were put in the driver's seat just when the world needed an entrepreneurial revolution. It's now up to us to pave the way and often that involves creating new routes to a new destination. If you are a self-employed parent, more opportunities just opened up for you to

It's no wonder you are skeptical. In my last few months of working in Corporate America I spent my hours sneaking around on the internet, searching for any legitimate income opportunity that would allow me to come home. I had been fighting with my dear sweet husband about my intense desire to give up my stable salary for the freedom to stay home with our newborn son. Leaving our baby in a poorly run home-daycare was just downright painful, and I couldn't do it anymore. I was ready to make some sizable sacrifices to become the full-time caretaker, but without some kind of supplemental income, we couldn't justify the transition. For months, I searched for something stable that would support my desire to follow my heart home. The challenge is not a lack of at home career opportunities... it's finding the right one. Just run a simple google search on "how to make money from home" and you'll be bombarded with empty promises of investment opportunities that smell of something rotten. Before becoming parents, we mig

We are all capable of changing our mindset. Sometimes we just need the tough love. The kick in the pants. The serious talkin' to. Yep, this is going to be one of those broadcasts. You know, the one where I tell you to step outside of your little bubble, stop blaming others about the less than desirable situation that you are in, and turn that negative energy inside out. Before you decide that I am not talking about you and decide to tune this one out, try doing a little test to see how self aware you really are. Is playing the blame game REALLY productive? It may make you feel better at first, but I promise you there is a better way to overcome obstacles and take charge of your own fate....fast. This week I am going to share with you one of my little secrets for staying on top of my game and pushing through the rejections and the setbacks. All it takes is a little imagination. The truth is, things are never really what they seem. It's far too easy to blame all of our challenges on someone else's stupidity and

What gives? If you are like most of the moms I meet who have decided to bring their careers home, your biggest frustration comes from the lack of results from all of your hard work. You may have the business idea of the century, be completely fabulous at what you do, you may even have a huge following of fans who tell you how much they admire you. But when it comes to make money, there is a real lack. You may be busy...but your also broke. Its time for rapid results. If you feel yourself becoming dangerously close to becoming a "business program junkie" or a mom entrepreneur "victim" cliche', its time to turn inward, clear out the stuff that ISN'T working and increase your bottom line with what little dignity you have left. Just Kidding. I know you are dignified, but what may be sabotaging your progress is your desperation and your all-to-easy tendency to get distracted with the mundane tasks that are not leveragable. It happens to the best of us, and the busiest of us. I get you, moms. There simply is no mor

Thanksgiving is a great time for reflection. It's been said that living in gratitude is the best way to abundance. So, just for the sake of argument, if we were to give thanks for our family, our friends, the roof over our heads, the food we eat and our good health....would the laws of the universe give us more of the good stuff? If only it were that easy! Thinking positively is really only a small component of being able to manifest and create an abundant outcome. For me, it's the deep reflection of what I've already accomplished that transports me into the most potent mindset for manifesting. So much of what I am grateful for began 5...10...even 15 years ago. “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future....” - Steve Jobs Fifteen years ago I arrived in Los Angeles, bright and starry eyed. With my college degree in musical theatre in one hand and a pile of headshots and resumes in the other, I w

You know more about marketing and advertising trends than you realize. While you may be a business owner who is focused on getting your products and services exposure, you are also a consumer... and you know what floats your own boat. You also know what is annoying and what kinds of ads you are deliberately tuning out. You are your ideal client. Advertising changes every single day – what worked today may or may not work tomorrow. Before you get tripped up about changing your marketing approach or blow your entire advertising budget on gimmicks that are consistently ignored by online browsers, consider which marketing tactics work on you. A big trend in small business advertising is to go where your ideal demographic is hanging out and create some buzz through a clever and fun campaign. This doesn't have to be an expensive approach, but because you will be gaining a presence on different platforms it can take time to be effective in raising brand consciousness and awareness. Still, one of the hottest trends i

he most difficult part of being your own boss is knowing when to take a break. No one really intended for the holiday season to be stressful. So why does it become increasingly overwhelming each year? Let's dissect it. (It's my favorite thing to do!) The holidays have become more diverse and although it may take more effort to keep all the annual traditions equally balanced, I have to admit that I really love how much we have progressed as a society. Chrismakah. Shismakah. It's all in good fun. Last night I hosted my annual Hanukkah party for the neighborhood kids which is always ironic because my kids are the only ones there who are actually Jewish. I never intended to be the mom responsibile for giving culture to the non-Jews, but each year I am asked by the other neighborhood moms, "You'll be having your annual Hanukkah party again, right?" Impressed by the interest, the willingness to learn, and the celebratory spirit of others... I just can't say no. Each year, usually by about the 300th latka and burn f

COEXIST is a documentary film making an impact on young people's lives. "Coexist is a thought-provoking and compelling film that resonates profoundly with anyone who views it. It underscores the sheer complexity of the Rwandan genocide and subsequent efforts at reconciliation, and provides a deeper examination of hatred and forgiveness." - Connecticut Teacher of the Year (2012), David Bosso This Boston-based educational documentary film project, "Coexist: Bridging the Divide Between Us and Them," aims to teach students about genocide to increase their awareness of "othering," which can range from pushing and teasing to bullying and hate crimes. Educating our children is the best way to create awareness, tolerance and ultimately end violence in communities. "Coexist" has been featured in film festivals, conferences, schools, and universities around the world following its world premiere in Boston, and has been selected by American Public Television for distribution to public television stations across the coun

Are you passionate about working at home? Lisa Kanarek is. She thrives on the freedom and she celebrates it every day. Making the choice to bring your career home can initially feel like the most liberating move a person can make. I mean let's face it, you can't get fired. You can play hooky anytime you feel like it. You can work in your pajamas, or even naked if you were really so inclined. You can earn as much as your little heart desires without that annoying glass ceiling. What could be better? The sad truth is that being your own boss isn't always as glamorous as it seems. Working at home can get messy. We become clumsy, disorganized, caught up in the double (and triple) duties of being a homemaker and a parent and an entrepreneur. We are always very busy, but often very broke. The passion we feel about our careers gets buried beneath the not-so-fun administrative tasks, the little concentration breakers (those darn kids!) and the pressure we put on ourselves to get an income for our effort. We begin to

Activate your Authenticity. I never really intended to be a social media coach, but one day I just happened to crack a code on a social media platform. This simple equation allowed me to drive traffic with just a quick click of a button. Before I knew it I had completely reinvented myself and I had a wait-list of clients who were willing to pay me top dollar to share my secret with them. The secret is that there really IS NO SECRET online or offline that you can't figure out for yourself. The simplicity of what I discovered is no different than good old fashioned selling through authentic engagement and personal connection. Everything I know about increasing your bottom line in business through social media navigation is completely and totally visible. These aren't just numbers. These are people. There is something that feels very artificial about easily driving traffic through interpersonal connections, and yet contrary to how it must sound, every message I broadcast is generated from my genuine passion. NOT

Stepping up and standing out. We are truly living in a generation of possiblity. If you want to bring your career home, there really are no more excuses. Whether you have invented a product, conceptualized a must-need service, or simply want to join a ready made direct sales team-- opportunities are abundant! Filling an existing need. There are dreamers and then there are DOERS. So many of the successful mom and dad entrepreneurs that have visited us on This Little Parent Stayed Home took their struggle and turned it into a solution. Their darkest hour and most challenging moments became the seed in which their business eventually blossomed. Filling an existing need doesn't just mean creating something where once there was nothing. Not an inventor? No problem! Filling a need might mean knowing how to align your personal attributes -- your skills, your talents, your visions, your RESOURCES-- with the available opportunities. Opportunities are abundant! Don't see them? You may be walking through life with your

Body issues: Everyone has them. I don't think I've met a single person who simply loved the body in which they were born. Men... Women...everyone has an issue with SOME PART of their body. At least most grown-ups do. Young children seem to be different...for the most part. They have no problem running around, being naked and loving all their parts. So when do the body issues start? ---AND---more importantly ---WHY---? In today's society we are now seeing more children under the age of twelve developing eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa and compulsive eating are the most common among such young children, but there are cases of bulimia being reported. It is estimated that 40% of nine year olds have already dieted and we are beginning to see four and five year olds expressing the need to diet. Are young children being robbed of their childhoods? Why is it that so many young children are becoming obsessed with dieting and their weight? More reason to LOVE THE BODY you are in. Children are at a risk for developin

Blight? or Blessing? Depending on the way you look at things, this generation's fast booming presence of the internet can feel overwhelming to some, and over bountiful to others. C-H-A-N-G-E is not always easy, but if you are willing to progress forward, you are more likely to beat the rush hour of the cyberspace highway. ---Are we like mice trapped in a maze waiting for someone else to give us the "cheese" that we feel ENTITLED to?--- Revisit this past show where we talked about the cult favorite book --> Who moved my cheese?

It's spirituality that drives our visions and decisions. I was raised to be agnostic...to keep my mind open to all possibilities. It has served me well on most accounts, but there were times when I needed more. I needed to have...FAITH. Without faith, what else is there? Whether you believe in a higher power or not, you have a spirit within you that drives your ambitions, your visions for success, the way that you raise your children to have morals and values and the way that you respond to life's adversity. We love, we hate, we laugh, we cry, we fight with our best friends and our spouses, we make up, we yell at our kids and then hug them a little too tight (ouch, mom!), we make ourselves over, reinvent and rebrand. We are progress. We question everything we do, even when we are most firm in our convictions. We pray even when we don't fully believe. We hang in there even when we most feel like throwing in the towel. We mourn losses and celebrate victories. We are the human spirit. We make the world go around

Play Big. Play Bold. Moms and Dads --- those of you who are running your own business --- do you realize that YOU are a unique breed? You are powerful, motivated, service-oriented -- and most of you launched FAST into business with nothing more than an idea ...and some faith. What happens when a business is run with ---oh... not much more that that? Working too many hours and getting nowhere fast. If you are a small business owner (and a MOM or DAD!)...you can't even PRETEND that you don't relate to the bold header above =) It's no fun being BUSY and BROKE... and ---really--- it doesn't make much for healthy living OR healthy parenting OR healthy business growth and sustainability. Business Moms and Dads, it's NO WONDER that you struggle with balancing parenthood and personhood with businesshood. Instead of working harder, it's time to STRUCTURE smarter. Once your business is ORGANIZED, you may be ready to hire out the pieces ---with success. Keep the big picture in perspective. Small Business expert and lea

Happy New Year. Now get back to work. Changing our moods to match our surroundings isn't always easy. We ventured into solo-preneurship because we wanted the freedom to be able to work, play and sleep on our own. We chose our unrestricted and self-led careers so that we could "leave work at work" and take long breaks to celebrate the holidays with our families among other things. Although I am grateful to have that luxury of turning around the "Closed" sign in the window for the last 2 weeks of the year I admit that it is always a struggle for me to shift into vacation mode or "mood". I love my work. It's not easy to turn off this brilliant brain of mine (ahem). When I get into a productive momentum, I don't want to stop for anything. Not even chocolate covered candycanes and eggnog. This hot mom / workaholic / home maker needs to be given an annual intervention at the same time every year. It has become a ritualistic detox for me to turn off my smart phone and leave it off to stay present in the holiday fest

It is very common for mothers to feel...ISOLATED--Alone--Scared... and even DESPERATE for personal fulfillment. Many smart, savvy and educated women built tremendously successful careers in the corporate business world before venturing into motherhood....and then find that they are CRAVING the opportunity to create something NEW and LUCRATIVE from inside the home. New successes...new stresses...fresh solutions. I am going to be honest---very honest. I look around at my beautiful home, in the hills just north of Los Angeles, my happy and healthy marriage, my cheerful and well-cared for children... my large client list... (and subsequently)... my growing bank account... I HAVE ARRIVED! =) --- BUT--- from where I sit, the road can be just as rocky, if not MORE ROCKY because new successes can bring new challenges. I would be nowhere without my tribe. On today's live broadcast, I will be re-welcoming 2 women who I consider MY PEOPLE. Two of the most authentic and altruistic women in my professional life today....