April's here! Hopefully some warmer weather is on the horizon and we can get out and enjoy it - right after the taxes are filed!

April Due Dates:

BUSINESS TIP(S) OF THE MONTH

From Denise Beeson, Small Business Manager/VP, Washington Mutual Bank:

• Small businesses need to build a database of prospects-but how do you do that? One strategy is to jot down all the businesses you do businesses with, such as your dry cleaner, gardener, hairdresser, and even grocery clerk. Give business to those that serve you and vice versa!
• When passing out business cards while networking, always give away three cards. Say to your new networking partner: "Here is a card for your rolodex and two more to give to referrals." This is a proven strategy that works
• Questions to ask to quickly determine if a "suspect" is a good "prospect:" Do they have a need (or high desire) for your product or service; do they have the money to buy your product or service; and finally, are you talking to the one that will sign on the dotted line? If you can say "YES" to all three of these questions, then you know that you should start building a relationship with that person.
• Networking is simply "business dating." Start slowly and get to know the prospect before "expecting" business to come out of the relationship.

At Washington Mutual, Denise is your small business banker. For those who would like the personal touch in their business banking, Denise is the one to talk to. 707 694-6826 Mobile

ORGANIZATIONS-PERSONAL TIDBITS:

Update on my Team in Training adventure: We recently did a 50-mile ride. There were two significant hills; the first one was challenging, but manageable. The second was three miles ALL uphill! (It was called Marshall Wall, and believe me, by the time I got to the top, I felt like I had scaled one). I've experienced muscle fatigue before, but nothing like this. I reached a point where I was walking the bike on mild inclines and even some flat roads, because I just had nothing left. But, I did it-and lived to tell about it! We have just eight weeks to go...

Just to remind everyone that it's still not too late to donate! We are still accepting contributions up through May, and I would sure love to hit my goal! I have met some people over the last two months whose family members had some form of leukemia or lymphoma. I have put their names on our honoree banner. If you or someone you know is interested in helping me reach my goal and support a fantastic organization, you can still do so by clicking on the link to my Team In Training website: www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/tntgsfJDavis3. Please visit my website periodically to check on my progress. And many thanks to those of you who have already donated to support me!

GROWING MY BUSINESS

Clients I'm looking for this month: Do you know anyone who is starting a business? Many new business owners need assistance in starting up their businesses. Having the right accounting/bookkeeping system in place to start can help to avoid problems in the long run. I offer a one-hour free consultation to help new business owners get started on the right foot.

VIRTUAL JEANNIE VIRTUAL SPOTLIGHT

This month our spotlight in on Mike Kijak, the owner of Up and Away Ballooning, Inc. If you have ever thought about taking a hot air balloon ride in the beautiful wine country, he's the one to fly with. He is fun and professional, and takes his clients needs and safety very seriously. I've watched his business grow by leaps and bounds over the last few years.

Up & Away Ballooning, Inc.

There is no better way to start your day, according to Mike Kijak, owner of Up & Away Ballooning, Inc., than to take a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Sonoma County countryside. Hot air ballooning is the only form of aviation where you can lean out "all four windows" as you float over the landscape. Whether skimming just above the grapevines or flying higher in altitude, ballooning has no match for peaceful, serene, "back to basics" flight. For those who are afraid of heights, don't worry, Mike is also afraid of heights and hates carnival rides, but ballooning is a different experience and is one of the most relaxing activities you'll ever experience.

Up & Away Ballooning provides the perfect combination of first class service and safety in their flight operations. Up & Away is dedicated to providing the most personalized service available in the Wine Country for couples and groups alike. You will experience a professional yet fun and adventurous ballooning excursion that cannot be matched.

Up & Away has expanded its "fleet" with three new balloons capable of flying six to ten guests each. We also have a two-person balloon available for marriage proposals, weddings or for those wishing a private flight.

While flying over the Sonoma County Wine Country, guests may see rabbits and deer scampering through the fields. During the spring and early summer months, you will see incredible swaths of color from the fields of poppies and lupine. You may see the Pacific Ocean over the coast hills to the West, while on very clear days the buildings in San Francisco can be seen 60 miles away.

After the flight, guests are welcomed back with a delicious sit down champagne brunch at a winery setting. Brunch is served on beautiful hand-painted plates, champagne is served in unique glassware, and chocolate-dipped strawberries, hand-made quiche and other gourmet foods are provided for your special morning brunch.

Each new aeronaut will receive a personalized flight certificate and a cloisonné pin of the balloon they flew in. For more information and/or to make reservations, please call Mike at 1-800-711-2998 or visit the website at: www.up-away.com.