Thanks to the marathon supporters!

I want to thank the Newman Network team and my supporters who helped me advertise your website across the city. We completed the mission on the cold, wet day in 5 hours and 10 minutes. Please thank the following businesses who contributed financially by supporting their businesses:

• Mecca Marketing was our gracious host in Manayunk.
• The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants
• RL Snaggs ,
• Aginah & Company ,
• 1stimpressions Salon and Day Spa ,
• Young's Family Day Care
• Whole Unit Artistic Development Inc.
  
• Progressive School for Academic Achievement
  
• Sabr Enterprises
  

Please thank my wonderful photographer - Whole Unit Studios Inc. for making sure this moment was captured.

See Pictures from the Marathon

This is my finish at Virginia Beach!

Finished the Marathon!

After I got educated at SIS Fitness with the 5 pillars of fitness, I set a goal to lose 30 pounds and complete the Broad Street Run (10 Miles). When I accomplished those goals, I set a bigger goal to complete the Philadelphia Marathon. This goal was so big that I had to add a couple of check points along the way (Virginia Beach Half-Marathon and Army Ten Miler). I had to prove that I had self-discipline to accomplish these goals. I ran that race in 5 hours and 10 minutes (and my legs are sore to prove it :-) Now that they are done, I have a goal to get my community to share information and take advantage of the internet. My new goal for http://www.diversephilly.com is 1000 businesses and I depend on the network to make it happen. This will be aligned with my next fitness goal - The Philadelphia Triathlon on June 1st, 2007. I need to learn how to swim and get on a bike sometime soon...... Stay tuned!

Let's get ready for the Marathon

Running is a mental exercise for the mind! Recently, I was talking to an old friend when I commented that I can not stop running even if I tried. The further I run, the further my business goes. So if I stop running my business stops. It is usually during the run, when I work out the details of my newsletter and I want to present the information. As I am now in cool down mode (after completing the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Half - Marathon and the Army ten Miler), I am getting ready for the Marathon and for 300 businesses to be listed on www.diversephilly.com!

First Half Marathon

Success! I am just getting back from the Virginia Beach Half Marathon (13.1) miles. The crowd of 17,000 participants was a great site on a beautiful day. I completed the distance is my personal best time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds -- just under 11 minute miles. This race helped me grow in my convinction that I can complete the Philadelphia Marathon in under 5 hours. I know the race and my business are related. My last newsletter told me that I am helping to grow an online community but I still have work to do. In the next 2 months, do I have what it takes to inspire Philadelphia to work together and change the social ills plaguing our community? By completing the half marathon in my personal best - I can answer that question with a resounding YES!!!

Getting Fit is good for Business!

Network marketing is great! I started my business mind with Quixtar. My up-line mentored me into learning how to talk to people with confidence. At a training session with their my upline's up-line, Saji wrote what men and women need to do to be seen as professionals. For men, do not wear shorts and stay clean shaven. For women, keep hair neat, nails groomed and get in shape. Saji said people are attracted to fit women so losing weight will attract people and money. My mouth dropped, at a size 20, I knew I was not in shape but no one had ever equated my size with money... My doctor's told me all the health reasons before (lowers risk of heart disease....) but I needed to hear money and weight in the same sentence. Within a week, I was back on my treadmill that sat in my dining room for 4 years and over a year later I am still using that same treadmill. Getting in shape is good for health but also it is good for business!

Tip #1 for maintaining health

It is all about consistency. When I started my fitness journey I walked 2 miles everyday. I did this for 2 months. After 2 months, my body wanted to run -- and I calculated that my distance was 14 miles a week. So in exchange for running the same distance in less time, I was able to run 4 days a week instead of walking 7 days a week. I improved my productivity (output/time). These are the same skills I need in the business world. I have to maximize my ability to meet businesses in a short time frame. The ability to calculate productivity (meeting businesses/time) is my key to attending networking events. As you read, you will see that the keys I need to good health are the same keys to being successful in business..... Stay Tuned....

Welcome to Nicole's Blog!

I have decided to join the blogspot world! This is where I hope to write down my thoughts and ideas on my spiritual journey to good health. I thought the one year anniversary of the launch of www.DiversePhilly.com is an appropriate place to start. I had a theory -- If I showed consumers that we do own and operate businesses that would be an inspiration to my children and build their self-esteem. I have proven the theory to be accurate and as a bonus I also built my own self-esteem! Now I am ready to share my experience with everyone who reads this and inspire even more people!!!