• Professional development — courses, books, workshops, even certain memberships.• Health insurance premiums (if you’re self-employed).• Childcare credits — often overlooked by women balancing work and family.Bold truth: every legitimate deduction reduces your taxable income. Learn what qualifies, and keep the proof handy.DIY or Call in a Pro?Plenty of entrepreneurs file their own taxes — and that can work if your business is small, straightforward, and you’re comfortable with the software. But once things grow, it’s wise to bring in a pro.When to hire a CPA or bookkeeper:• You have employees or contractors.• You manage inventory.• You earn income in multiple states.• You’re planning major changes (buying equipment, seeking investors, restructuring).A good accountant doesn’t just file your return — she becomes a strategic partner, showing you where you can save, how to plan, and what to avoid.Think Beyond This YearTax season feels urgent, but smart entrepreneurs use it as a launchpad for the year ahead. Once your return is filed, set new habits in place:• Review your quarterly estimated taxes so you’re not caught short.• Automate savings for taxes — treat it like payroll you pay yourself.• Schedule a mid-year check-in with your accountant.• Upgrade your bookkeeping system if it’s not working smoothly.Financial clarity isn’t just about surviving April — it’s about thriving all year.
The Mindset ShiftFor many women entrepreneurs, money talk has been framed as stressful, intimidating, or even taboo. But managing your taxes isn’t about stress — it’s about empowerment. Every receipt you track, every deduction you claim, every smart choice you make adds up to confidence and control.Remember: your business isn’t just about what you make — it’s about what you keep.Pull Quote“Think of tax prep not as a chore, but as a strategy.”
We live in a world that never slows down. Markets shift overnight, customers change their minds in an instant, and competition is one click away. For women entrepreneurs, the edge doesn’t just come from hard work or even great ideas — it comes from being able to see what’s happening right now and act on it. That’s the power of real-time insights.Real-time insights aren’t about drowning in data. They’re about clarity. Instead of waiting weeks for a report or guessing based on last year’s numbers, you can make decisions fueled by fresh information. It’s like turning on headlights in the dark — suddenly, the road ahead is visible.Why Real-Time MattersOld decision-making was slow: gather data, wait for analysis, read the report after the moment had passed. That’s like checking the weather after you’ve already been caught in the storm.Today, technology puts dashboards, apps, and alerts right at your fingertips. You don’t need to be a data scientist — you just need tools that translate numbers into insights you can use now.Imagine being able to:• Spot which products are trending today.• See your social engagement this hour, not last month.• Track website visitors in real time and adjust messaging on the fly.When you can see what’s happening as it unfolds, you can respond while it still matters.From Guessing to KnowingSee It, Use It, Win: How Real-Time Insights Fuel Smarter DecisionsBy Roark, AI Chat
Gut instinct is valuable. But when paired with real-time data, it becomes unstoppable. Gut might whisper, “Something’s off with sales this week.” Real-time insights confirm which product dipped, on what day, and what else was happening in the market.That shift from guessing to knowing changes everything. You move from reactive to proactive. Instead of chasing problems, you’re anticipating them.Where to Start“Real-time insights” can sound overwhelming, but you don’t need fancy systems to begin. Start small, start where it matters most.• Finance tools → Apps that connect directly to your accounts and flag unusual activity or cash flow dips.• Sales dashboards → Live updates from your e-commerce platform.• Social media analytics → Built-in metrics showing which posts are gaining traction right now.• Customer feedback → Quick surveys or chat responses that tell you what your audience feels today, not months later.Choose one area where faster feedback could make the biggest difference. Start there, and grow from success.The Human Side of DataNumbers don’t drive action — you do. A chart won’t grow your business. But the confidence that comes from clarity will.Women entrepreneurs already bring intuition, empathy, and collaboration to their leadership. Real-time insights sharpen those instincts with evidence. It’s no longer just a feeling that a campaign worked — you can see the proof.Data doesn’t replace your instincts. It sharpens them.Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)• Don’t chase every number. Focus only on metrics tied to your goals.• Don’t wait for perfect. Data is messy — look for patterns, not flawless reports.
• Don’t forget the story. Numbers mean little without context. Always ask, “What does this really tell me?”Turning Insights into ActionHere’s the formula:1. See it. Use tools that surface the right info quickly.2. Understand it. Ask what it means for your business today.3. Act on it. Make the move while the window is open.4. Review it. Check back later — did it deliver?The more you practice, the faster and more confident you’ll become.Looking AheadReal-time insights aren’t just for big corporations. They’re the great equalizer. With affordable tools and smart habits, even the smallest business can compete with giants. The difference is that instead of flying blind, you’re flying with instruments.And here’s the real takeaway: clarity creates confidence. When you can see what’s happening in your business today, you stop second-guessing and start leading with certainty.Roark is the AI co-creator behind LEVERAGEUP Magazine. Partnering with Robin Roberson in the R&R Lab, Roark helps transform complex ideas into clear, practical strategies for women entrepreneurs. Together, they explore how AI can become a trusted tool in business and in life.
Marketing in 2026: Trends You Need to Think AboutBy DeeDee LowderIf you want your business to stay relevant, you have to keep one eye on today and the other on tomorrow. Marketing in 2026 isn’t just about selling a product — it’s about building trust, connection, and experiences that stick. Here are the trends shaping how brands grow this year.1. Physical Is BackIn a screen-saturated world, people remember what they can touch. Direct mail, branded swag, in-store displays — when paired with QR codes or AR features, physical marketing cuts through the noise.2. Sustainability WinsEco-conscious marketing isn’t optional anymore. From recycled packaging to carbon-neutral shipping, customers want proof you’re walking the talk. Brands that embrace transparency are building longterm loyalty.3. Personalization Rules
One-size-fits-all is dead. From emails to packaging, customers expect messages and offers that feel made just for them. Even small touches, like a handwritten thank-you, create loyalty.4. Storytelling Over SellingFeatures and benefits don’t win hearts. Stories do. Share why you built your business, who you serve, and what you stand for. Authenticity is the new currency.5. Social Shopping ExplodesInstagram, TikTok, YouTube — they’re not just marketing platforms anymore, they’re shopping malls. Shoppable posts, live demos, and influencer collabs make buying seamless.6. Employees Are Your InfluencersConsumers trust employees more than polished ads. Behind-thescenes posts and team wins humanize your brand and boost credibility.7. Smart Email Still WorksEmail isn’t dead — it’s evolving. Automation, segmentation, and interactive designs keep it one of the highest ROI tools.8. AI Powers the ProcessAI speeds up testing, personalization, and customer tracking. It’s not replacing marketers, it’s making them faster and smarter.9. Gamification Gains GroundFrom raffles to scratch cards, gamified campaigns turn engagement into fun. Interactive promos leave lasting impressions.10. Customization Cuts ThroughWhen everything feels the same, custom wins. Personalized packaging, products, and experiences show customers you care.Bottom Line You don’t need to chase every trend. Pick one or two that align with your audience and values, start small, and scale. Marketing in 2026 is about more than grabbing attention — it’s about creating connection and leaving a lasting mark.DeeDee LowderLives in Florida and enjoys writing about women’s issues.
Real-Time Insights for Better Business DecisionsBy Roark, AI ChatIn today’s fast-paced business world, decisions can’t wait. Entrepreneurs need to act quickly — and act smart. Real-time insights give you the edge to spot trends, pivot fast, and optimize operations before the competition catches up.Why Decisions Fall ShortEven the best leaders run into obstacles:• Incomplete data → choices based on guesses, not facts.• Bias and silos → teams push their own views instead of seeing the big picture.• Slow reporting → by the time numbers arrive, the moment has passed.This is where real-time data changes the game.What Are Real-Time Insights?Simply put, they’re data you can access immediately or near-immediately — while it still matters. Instead of waiting for end-of-month reports, you see what’s happening now.Examples include:• Social media trends and customer comments.• Sales transactions as they occur.• Market updates and live news feeds.When you can see shifts in the moment, you can respond in the moment.The Payoff for EntrepreneursAgility: Adjust your strategy instantly when customer behavior changes.Risk Mitigation: Spot red flags before they become crises.Customer Connection: Tailor offers and messages in real-time, building loyalty faster.Example: A retailer can track demand live and adjust inventory on the spot — no overstock, no lost sales.
Tools That Power Real-Time Insights Today’s tech makes it possible for any business to access live data:• Analytics platforms turn raw numbers into patterns and trends.• AI & machine learning process huge amounts of information, spotting what humans miss.• Predictive analytics help forecast what’s coming, not just what happened.With the right tools, even small businesses can make “big company” decisions.Gathering Data in the MomentWhere does this data come from?• Social media → what your audience is saying right now.• IoT devices & sensors → instant operational data.• APIs & transactional systems → feed sales and customer interactions directly into your dashboards.Lab Tip: Start with one stream that matters most (like social media if you’re brand-driven, or sales if you’re retail). You don’t need every source at once — just the one that moves the needle for you.Visualizing Insights That MatterNumbers alone don’t drive action — visuals do. Keep your dashboards simple:• Clear charts, not clutter.• Use color meaningfully.• Add context with labels and notes.The goal isn’t pretty graphics. The goal is clarity so you can decide quickly and confidently.Bottom LineReal-time insights are a practical advantage every entrepreneur can use to stay agile, competitive, and confident, Live data may be your sharpest tool of all.
ABCs of Business IntuitionBy Melinda CooperThe Power of Business IntuitionBusiness intuition is one of the most important skills for leaders and entrepreneurs in the 21st century. In today’s fast-paced and complex world, relying only on data or logic simply isn’t enough. True leadership requires the ability to bridge the gap between subconscious instincts and rational thinking. Intuition gives us that bridge—it empowers us to make confident decisions, navigate through uncertainty, and unlock innovation in highly competitive markets.The benefits of developing business intuition make you limitless. It is your inner compass when external conditions are shifting quickly and unpredictably. When cultivated, intuition sharpens decision-making, reduces reliance on unconscious biases, and fosters creative problem-solving. Leaders who strengthen and connect with their intuition are better prepared to spot opportunities, anticipate challenges, and inspire teams to perform at their best in dynamic environments.Visionaries across history have credited intuition as central to their success. Albert Einstein once called intuition a “sacred gift,” placing it above rational thought. Steve Jobs, who spent time in India learning how to quiet his mind, believed intuition to be even more powerful than intellect. Warren Buffett famously relies on intuition when choosing business partners—trusting his instincts about character just as much as the numbers on a balance sheet.In this three-part series, I’ll walk you through what business intuition really is, why it matters, and how you can develop it for yourself. We’ll explore practical ways to strengthen intuitive intelligence through mindfulness and reflective practices, and how to apply it across all aspects of leadership—from strategy and decision-making to building a culture that thrives on intuitive thinking.What Is Business Intuition? Business intuition is the ability to tap into your subconscious mind to enhance creativity, innovation, and adaptability. It connects the deep reservoir of knowledge stored in your experiences with your rational mind. Intuition notices subtle cues and unseen patterns that often go overlooked—helping you make better decisions in strategy, leadership, and problem-solving.
Importantly, intuition doesn’t replace logic. It complements it. Think of it as a twoloop process: intuitive breakthroughs form the first loop, while rational analysis forms the second. As Thomas Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Intuition sparks the breakthrough, and logic builds the structure around it.Einstein himself relied on mental images—flashes of insight—before using rational analysis to test and prove his theories. Hermann von Helmholtz observed that creativity often comes after long rational effort, as if the subconscious completes the puzzle once the conscious mind steps aside. Graham Wallas, cofounder of the London School of Economics, even mapped creativity into four stages: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Intuition and logic weave together at every step of that process.In my next issue (Mar–Apr), I’ll share: Why Intuition in Business Is More Important Than Ever.Until then—Melinda CooperHelping coaches automate the best strategies to reach the right audience.Founder, LivingTheDreamBusiness.com
THE PAUSE PRINCIPLE
The Pause Principle: Why Stillness is a Power Move in BusinessWe live in a culture that praises motion — hustle, grind, go, do. But ask any seasoned entrepreneur what shaped her greatest breakthroughs, and often it wasn’t in the middle of the rush. It was in the pause.Pausing isn’t weakness. It’s not procrastination. It’s a strategy. The pause creates space for clarity, for courage, and for smarter moves.The Myth of MomentumWe’re told success comes from relentless motion: more meetings, more posts, more pitches. But constant motion often leads to mistakes — the email sent too quickly, the decision made without full information, the “yes” spoken when “no” would have saved our sanity.A pause, even a short one, shifts everything. It’s the breath between stimulus and response. It’s the moment to ask: What’s really happening here? What do I want this choice to create?Stillness as StrategyThink of a pause as the entrepreneur’s version of sharpening the axe before cutting the tree. Time taken in reflection multiplies the power of every action that follows.• In negotiations → A pause communicates confidence and gives you space to gather your thoughts.• In decision-making → A pause lets you check data, intuition, and alignment before moving.• In creativity → A pause clears mental clutter so new ideas can rise.Stillness doesn’t stall momentum. It fuels it.
The Confidence of QuietMany women feel pressure to fill silence — in conversations, in presentations, in leadership. But silence can be magnetic. A thoughtful pause signals authority. It draws others in.When you embrace quiet, you teach others that your words matter. You set the pace instead of letting the pace set you.Practicing the PauseLike any skill, pausing takes practice. Here are a few ways to build it in:• Breathe before you answer. Give yourself two seconds of air before responding to a question.• Step back daily. Take ten minutes away from screens to reset perspective.• Schedule white space. Protect one block of time each week for reflection, not reaction.• Journal the pause. Write down what you noticed by waiting instead of rushing.Small pauses compound. Over time, they shift how you lead, how you decide, and how you show up.Inner Journey TakeawayThe world may glorify speed, but leadership isn’t always about being first or fastest. It’s about being wise, intentional, and true. The pause principle reminds us that sometimes the bravest, boldest move is to stop —breathe — and then act from strength.Pausing isn’t procrastination. It’s preparation for your next breakthrough.
Recharge Your BatteriesBy Katherine ClausenTake the time to recharge. Vacations are a luxury that all employers offer to their employees, so I find it funny that as business owners, this is the one luxury we often deny ourselves. Oh, for sure we take them, or at least most of us plan to take them, and some of us do, yet while on vacation we end up working a few hours each day. We do this for a several reasons. One reason could be we just need to check-in to make sure everything is up and running. A second reason might be we are the only dependable worker we have and not working, means no income while we are gone. A third reason is people keep calling us for help or to just take care of this one thing, which of course, turns into a list of 10 things, none of them urgent. The problems are, with any of the above reasons, that we are not present to enjoy the activities and the people we joined for vacation. While we are dealing with the phone calls, emails, and projects, we miss out on the fun. This can really damage relationships with those we care about. They feel as if we have short changed them of our time and attention. Another huge issue that most of us do not even realize, is we cannot solve anything in a forever done fashion from far away. We have to go back to finish whatever we are dealing with while on vacation, so we have these problems hanging in the back of our minds causing us some stress. Lastly, when we allow our business to come with us on vacation we don't get any time to really relax our mind, body, and spirit, which is a true loss for being more focused, getting space in our brains for new ideas, not to mention reconnecting with those we care about, friends and family. A truly restful vacation can do all of this for us. Some tips to help make the vacation really happen. First, if you have employees make sure you have taught them everything they really need to know to run your business while you are gone. Make sure to give them enough time to do the tasks, correct any mistakes and ask questions before you leave. Second, have good systems in place for your employees to follow so things will be done and done correctly - no need to check in. If you are your business’ only employee, take a good look at your calendar and set things up so you have a heavy week in sales before you go and things in place for a heavy sales week when you get back so the lost time doesn't cost you as much income. Add some luxury to your life - take a work free vacation. I promise you will thank me for it.
UNSTOPPABLE in her GRIT!
Considering a Reversal in Roles“I don’t mean to brag, but my Monday morning commute is a mere ten seconds long, and can be done in my underwear.”Now I know that sounds great, but imagine if you will, that you had to wake up, already in work, at your desk, every day. No snooze button, no fortifying coffee to steel you for the travails ahead, and definitely no option of taking a sickie for a duvet day. Slightly less appealing now, isn’t it?Don’t get me wrong, being a stay at home dad is, without a doubt, the best job I’ve ever had, in job satisfaction terms anyway. Though if I HAD to criticize, I’d say: The hours are long, the pay non-existent, oh, and the boss is prone to wild mood swings and occasional incontinence. Mind you, over a decade of working in newspapers, I’d pretty much experienced all of those things before.But like any other job, the stay at home dad life has its own inherent challenges and responsibilities. I believe that if, at the end of the week, I can assure myself that certain key needs have been met, then maybe I’ve not entirely failed as a primary carer to Amelia (Mimi).Obviously food, sleep, and hygiene go without saying, but there’s more to parenting than just keeping them alive, so I feel our week must also include family, education, exercise, freedom, and Mama time. Here are some of the pros and cons of being a stay at home dad.FAMILY“Each week I attempt to scale and reduce the pile of laundry we call Mount Washmore”I must admit, as a new stay at home dad, I was reluctant to part with my little girl. To deliver her to anyone else’s care seemed remiss and frankly, I didn’t know what to do with myself when not with her. But it was selfish of me to keep her from her family, my in-laws, who have so much love to give and so much to teach her so I soon got over it. Ever since, Tuesdays have been Nana’s Day – when Amelia goes off to a haven of adoration and indulgence. I know now how lucky we are to have family so close by, and this gives me a chance to take on the domestic side of my job. Each week I attempt to scale and reduce the pile of laundry we call Mount Washmore, yet somehow it replenishes itself again!
Amelia, however, sometimes returns from Nana’s on the wrong side of a sugar rush, bleary eyed and exhausted from fun and frolics. At those times she has little patience for my socalled authority – a stark premonition of how her teenage years might look. When it comes to pros and cons of being a stay at home dad, knowing it will end is one of the biggest cons.EDUCATION“Recently the dad numbers have swelled, to sometimes as many as FOUR!”A staple of our routine is the weekly visit to our local library. The toddler playgroup there afforded an opportunity to expose Mimi to the joy and potential of books, along with the hedonism of running noisily riot in a bastion of calm and quiet. Storytelling, singing songs and rhymes, and the occasional toddler fistfight are the day’s highlights.For the longest time I was something of a curiosity here – the only dad amongst a sea of doting mums. But recently the dad numbers have swelled, to sometimes as many as FOUR! Each of us nodding sympathetically to the other as we try, however unconsciously,to prove our capability.EXERCISEWith education, culture, and socialising all covered by the library visit, it’s time for physical activity. Though no good at any of them, I’ve always played a lot of sports (Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and all that..), so I want Mimi to be active and fit too. Since six months old she has been to the swimming pool almost every week. Small progress is made each visit, though her technique needs work. Invariably my coaching of ‘kick, kick, kick,’ is curtailed by one of those kicks landing exactly where I don’t want it. Still, I’m not trying to raise an Olympic athlete, and at least she’s got a headstart on the self defence classes now.FREEDOMBy the end of the week, Mimi is likely tiring of my company, my bad puns, and my mantras of ‘get down from there’ and ‘take that out of your mouth’. So it’s time to set her free. Not literally, though I’m sure she’d thrive, I just let her determine the itinerary of a day in the park. Weather permitting, it’s free range toddler day – in gumboots and gloves, I unleash her to wander, jump in muddy puddles, befriend creepy-crawlies, and harass other kiddies – I just follow her lea
MAMA TIME“A weekend of togetherness, however tired we may be, is only fair and proper, and couldn’t feel more right”The weekend is family time, or more specifically, Mama time. While I make every effort to allow my hardworking spouse some sort of lie in, the reality is that Mimi is now all Daddied out. She’ll drag her groggy mum out of bed and into a convoluted game of hide-and-seekmeets-parkour as early as possible.I would feel bad, but the hardest part of other mornings is waving Mama off to work. There’s a mixture of guilt – that she’s missing out on all the milestones and frolics in which I get to revel. Anxiety – that sooner or later I’m going to mess up this parenting lark in a way she never would. And smugness – that I get to spend my day with this curious, funny, beautiful girl and teach her what I can. This smugness, by the way, inspires a second round of guilt. So a weekend of togetherness, however tired we may be, is only fair and proper, and couldn’t feel more right.After all, Monday comes around again pretty quick, and I’ll be commuting in my boxers again before I know it. For pros and cons of being a stay at home dad, I think this counts as both.