For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business, presents seven principles for the reader to follow in their quest to become an entrepreneur in addition to being a spouse and raising a family. In this era of changes in our family structure, this book lets the reader know that it is possible to maintain your relationship with God, who will show you the precise priority for your life, in order to have a prosperous family while becoming a successful entrepreneur. This book presents the seven guidelines in a clear, realistic manner by the author who is a female entrepreneur who started as a home based, sole proprietor.

The text begins with advising the reader to define their business under the guidance of God. The next step involves identification of our passion and purpose, to insure they are an integral part in the business being pursued. The principles explore refining our business vision and making sure our family is kept in the right perspective as the business plans mature. Once the business is progressing, whether the owner is a sole proprietor, or has hired staff, it is important to maintain the proper function of the business to sustain motivation of the officers and staff. The final chapters discuss knowing and accepting the costs of being the boss while maintaining the priority that God has set for yourself, your family and business.

Super Parent Wishes and CEO Dreams?

Have you longed to contribute to household income with your own small business–then wondered how you could do it and keep your family thriving, as well?

Bellandra Foster kept God first, her marriage and children foremost–and became the successful entrepreneur she’d always dreamed of being! Her seven “no-nonsense” guidelines will show you, also, how to:

1. Define your business, guided by God
2. Identify your passion, personality, purpose
3. Refine your vision along the way
4. Maintain perspective as the business grows
5. Sustain motivation among staff, siblings, and spouses
6. Accept the subtle costs of being the boss
7. Make room for “Cuddle Time”

Start the company you’ve always wanted–
and keep the home team winning, too!

About Bellandra B. Foster

Dr. Bellandra B. Foster is the president and principal engineer of BBF Engineering Services, PC (BBF). The company is a civil and transportation engineering consulting firm incorporated in the state of Michigan. With a staff of 12, BBF specializes in road and bridge related construction inspection/engineering, traffic and transportation engineering, utility and permit coordination and project management.

Dr. Foster, who founded BBF in 1994 as a sole proprietorship, is a native of Flint, Michigan. At an early age she exhibited talent in math and science. Her late parents, Dr. George and Ella Pearl Benefield, encouraged her to concentrate on her interests, even though girls were not typically directed toward these subjects in the 1970s.

When Dr. Foster was planning for college, her father suggested that she set her sights on engineering. She enrolled in Michigan State University (MSU) not knowing whether she would pursue civil, mechanical or industrial engineering – all options potentially open to her. After successfully completing her first two years at MSU,

Dr. Foster applied and was accepted into the civil engineering program at MSU’s College of Engineering in her junior year.

Dr. Foster launched her career working as a structural engineer for Bechtel Power Corporation in the fall of 1983, followed by a posting as Assistant Road Design Unit Leader for the Road Commission for Oakland County (MI). From 1985 to 1992, she took on progressively more challenging positions with the Michigan Department of Transportation including Staff Engineer, Assistant Design Unit Leader and finally Metro Region Utilities-Permits Engineer. Each of these positions advanced her traffic and transportation engineering knowledge-base.

In 1992, Dr. Foster put her transportation know-how to work in the city of Atlanta (GA) Department of Public Works when the late Mayor Maynard Jackson appointed her Director of the Bureau of Highways and Streets. She was charged with guiding a staff of 550 employees and seeing to the design, construction and maintenance of the booming city’s streets and sewer system.

In the spring of 1993, Dr. Foster and her husband, Michael, a fellow engineer whom she had married in 1984, decided to return to Michigan. There the couple would start their family and Dr. Foster would take on two other demanding projects: pursuing a doctorate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University, and opening her own business — BBF Engineering Services, P.C.

The triple challenge of being a new mother, a new entrepreneur and re-immersed in the world of academia was made manageable by a supportive network that included her husband, colleagues, family and close friends – all of whom were as determined as Dr. Foster herself to see her succeed.

Life might have been considerably easier had Dr. Foster chosen to open a business in a field in which women and minorities were already well represented–
but she didn’t. So despite her years of experience and professional connections, finding contracts was challenging. Only by starting small, staying focused and overcoming often unfair obstacles has Dr. Foster grown BBF from a small at-home business into a company with two offices and gross revenues of $2 million. Among her clients: the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Detroit Department of Transportation, the Detroit Department of Public Works; the Pontiac Silverdome Stadium Authority, Detroit Entertainment and a number of engineering consulting firms.

In 1999, Dr. Foster earned her Doctorate from Michigan State University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering having previously earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Wayne State University ten years earlier.

Dr. Foster’s achievements have gained regional and national recognition. In 1998 the Federal Highway Administration named BBF its United States Department of Transportation Minority Business Enterprise of the Year. In 2004 the company was profiled in Black Enterprise magazine and again in Essence magazine in 2005. BBF has also been highlighted in Michigan Contractor and Builder magazine, Jet magazine and the Detroit Free Press. Dr. Foster has been recognized as a notable alumnus by Michigan State University. She is an ENO Transportation Fellow, a King-Chavez-Parks Fellow and has won the Wayne State University Headliner Award.

Dr. Foster is also a sought-after public speaker and has delivered commencement addresses at the engineering schools of the University of Notre Dame and Wayne State University. She frequently speaks to professional organizations. Dr. Foster shares not only her experiences as an engineer and an entrepreneur, but also her challenges and successes in combining those roles with being a wife and mother.

To further spread the message that one can have both a successful business and a sane, happy family life, Dr. Foster is has published her new book titled For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business. In it she details steps aimed at inspiring and advising would-be entrepreneurs. She discusses the keys to finding and acting upon one’s true purpose; the necessity of careful research and preparation before starting up any business venture, and the value in finding a vision partner. She tells readers what it means to be an effective leader in your own organization and most of all of the importance of always playing for the “home team” by putting family first.

Dr. Foster resides with her husband, Michael, and two sons in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Visit www.DrBBF.com for more info.

CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS

Karen Taylor Bass

THIS SHOW IS A MUST LISTEN In Dr. Bellandra B. Foster’s debut book entitled For Love And Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business, she explains in seven basic principles how readers can prioritize God, family and entrepreneurship while maintaining order, success and peace in their own lives.

Click here to hear the interview now.

Think of your product or service as an Academy–Award–winning movie. You are the director and your staff, contractors, and business resources are your cast of characters and crew. The customers are your audience. By learning what part you play, you can strengthen everyone else’s performance and increase the chances that audience members will talk about how great your picture was. It might sound a little easier than it is. Of course, in your own business you’ll play the part of the president or chief executive officer—the boss.

Nobody wants to start building a vision from the ground–floor–up just to hand it over to someone else. But the role you take on as your own boss is crucial to the success of your business. Just because you can do everything, it doesn’t mean that you should.

There are times when you may feel more qualified than everyone around you to do every job there is. This is a natural feeling that comes from the fact that you’ve known how you envisioned your enterprise and the way it should function better than anyone else. Acting on this feeling, on the other hand, is one of the biggest mistakes you could make right out of the gate. Be realistic. While many of us are multitalented, none of us does everything well. So, in learning what part you should play, it’s good to start by listing on paper the team members you’ll need to support your business plan. Even if you intend to start as a one-man or one-woman operation, you should, at least, consider who might help you with an occasional professional service. For example, accounting is a valuable service that everyone isn’t qualified to provide. If you set out to become a carpenter and you plan to take on jobs that would require only your own manpower, it can’t hurt to keep in touch with a person who will review your books periodically. This can help you to determine business growth trends that you may not have recognized because you’re so busy promoting the company and seeking carpentry assignments. Growth trends are what help you determine when it may be time to expand and hire an assistant or a crew.

But for others who know from the start that they’ll need employee support, learning the part to play helps to better establish the team’s direction. Any good boss knows that hiring good people makes him or her look good. So ask yourself: “Who might handle this assignment better than I could handle it?” If you’re a behind-the-scenes boss, it doesn’t make you any less of a boss. Maybe instead of handling the sales and marketing of your company you’ll want your main task to be internal supervision. That means you’ll need to recruit a sales and marketing person to go out and be the face of your company. This person may do anything from writing brochures that promote the business to setting up client meetings. If you recognize that your greatest talent and passion is at a desk in front of a computer, that’s the part you should play.

Just don’t ever fool yourself into believing that you can have so much raw talent, intelligence, strength, or any other natural gifts that you can just instantly carry these into an office, hang a sign on the door and start making money. You’ll regret that you wasted so much time and energy. Don’t you think there are men and women somewhere in the world who are smarter than the richest man in the world? More beautiful than the most famous supermodels? With all the people on earth, there has to be! But did they take the time to develop skill? Are they geniuses who never completed college? Are they gorgeous women who tripped when they walked, instead of training to glide gracefully down the runway? This is the only thing that separates so many of the greatest achievers from the rest of us. If you listen to the best-known personalities, many of them will admit they always thought someone else was better. They’ll tell you they always admired another person, and that person is sometimes one who the world will never know nearly as well.

There’s really no way to go wrong when you determine what part you’ll play early in the game. If it takes a bit of trial and error, that’s OK, but your early moves and decisions will always set the tone. Make this choice a big part of your preparation and you’ll be glad you did. Confidence in your handling of this choice will increase confidence in your handling of the choices to come. Look at yourself in the mirror and simply ask the question, “What’s my role?” Know that throughout history, from ancient to contemporary times, the most victorious men and women have always been those who put themselves in the right position to succeed—whether personally or professionally.

For Love and Money by Dr. Bellandra Foster

Bellandra B. Foster, Ph.D., PE

Author: “For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business”

www.drbbf.com

Wife, Mother, Entrepreneur, Scholar, Author, Public Speaker and last but not least – Lover of God. With all of these things God has allowed me to do, it can easily become overwhelming. Many have asked me “How do you do it all?”

Well, the answer is quite simple, I pray for the priority of God and I don’t try to do it all at one time. There are approaches I have incorporated into my life to avoid being overwhelmed. They are as follows:

o Do not allow people to excessively use your time.

o Be as organized as possible within my home and business.

o Don’t cheat on time with family.

o Show and tell your loved ones that you love them.

o I tell myself “I am one person and I will do my best – and that is good enough”

o Pray over what and whom to “let go” and when.

o Always go with the priority God gives me for my life.

I had to learn the hard way that stress can cause severe impacts on my health. I had to learn not to let stress consume my life by allowing situations and circumstances to impact my ability to make wise and sound decisions. Oftentimes, I have to take a step back when things get most hectic and “busy” in my life. In many cases, I have to pray and be wise about what should come first, and what can wait. I had to learn when to obtain assistance in my home and business and to avoid worry when things are not going as planned.

So learn not to be so hard on yourself, do your best and know that all good things take time to complete. When you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, always remember to pray for wisdom before you proceed.

Bellandra B. Foster, Ph.D., PE

Author: “For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business”

www.drbbf.com

I have observed that many people who wait until long after the prime of life to live out their purpose were not obedient to pursuing their purpose when they were younger. That’s not to say it’s too late, but they will often say, “I’m too old,” or, “It’s too late.” If they say that enough, they’ll begin to believe it, and lose the courage to pursue their life’s purpose – their purpose ordained by God.

In the beginning you might be fortunate enough to have people tell you, “No it’s not…. No, you’re not.” But they’re not going to do that for twenty years! Nobody’s going to stay at your pity party forever. It’s wise to try and allow things in your life to happen in the right order. If you have a child before you’re ready, it can take you off course.

Or, you might marry the wrong person and the marriage ends up in a divorce. It takes you off course. Realize early that the decisions you make can alter the destiny planned for your life. In the end, however, channeling your energy towards your life’s purpose is still possible, even up to the end of your days. It’s been done many times—but the idea is to try and make obedient choices that reflect it from the outset.

The Word of God states that we may pray for the desires of our heart, but we must maintain an attitude of forward thinking and persistence towards making the right steps in the pursuit to accomplish these desires and goals. In our eyes, some celebrities seem to have the greatest success, success we could never imagine for ourselves. But it’s all relative to the individual. Even the most powerful, wealthiest celebrity may desire something another person has, no matter how common it seems or how much the person who has it may take it for granted.

This is why it is so imperative that we each pursue the purpose that is ordained for our own lives. God needs people in all areas of expertise in this world to carry out His message. I have witnessed within myself and others that when we pursue our purpose, God will allow our passion(s) to prosper. One of my philosophies is: “When I take care of God’s business, he will take care of mine”. My first entrepreneurial pursuit was the start of an engineering consulting firm as a sole proprietor in 1994. By walking within the priority and purpose God had set for me regarding bringing His message to the earth, this has allowed God to provide favor, blessing and an open hand to my company. God is no respecter of persons. Therefore, by being obedient to what God requests of you in terms of your relationship with Him, your spouse, children, family, and business, you allow the impartation of the blessings, favor and anointing that God has reserved for YOU.

Bellandra B. Foster, Ph.D., PE

Author: “For Love and Money: Seven Guidelines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business”

www.drbbf.com

Press toward the mark!!!!!

Many have had bad news in 2008, so choose to start with ways to proclaim GOOD NEWS for the coming 2009 year. Please use these ten points that will help you to obtain GOOD NEWS.

1. God has an appointed time, messenger and place for your Good News.

Be open to good news. Anyone can bring it – at any time- using various methods. Don’t just see the messenger, be open to the message containing YOUR Good News! Pray for GOOD NEWS and look forward to it throughout 2009.

1. Our life style can often dictate the type of news that we will have.

Choose to live a lifestyle that will lend itself to you receiving GOOD NEWS. Live a righteous life, giving glory to God. Be willing to be obedient to the Word of God.

1. Your relationship with God can make the impossible, possible.

Do more than just believe in God. Have a RELATIONSHIP with God. God is willing and able to be a wise counsel to you on every issue in your life. Spend time with God daily. Thank God for every blessing!

1. God chooses and uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary.

The Bible speaks of numerous ordinary people that God used in extraordinary events. Never feel so ordinary that God cannot use you. You are important and extraordinary in the eyes of God. See yourself how God sees you – “As His Wonderfully Made Vessel”.

1. Our taxing situations can often lead us into our purpose.

Going through the difficult situations within our lives can serve as a means to reach our purpose. Do not faint in the process. Make a decision to “press on”!

1. The birth of Christ is Good News for all people.

Even in the midst of extremely adverse circumstances, Christ was still born. Know that God is always in control, and His purpose WILL be FULFILLED. Be open to fulfilling the purpose that God has destined for you. Know that when we are obedient, God will make the provisions for us to get His job done!

1. Jesus can be born (in us and to us) in any place and any time.

It is never too late for a rebirth. Never feel as though you cannot change your direction in life. Be willing to be Born Again to live a more righteous life that is conducive to generating GOOD NEWS.

1. You can be a STAR – God’s STAR (do not feel like a nobody, you are a star in the eyes of God).

God sees everyone as a “somebody”. No person is a “nobody” in the eyes of God. Be obedient to carry out the tasks God gives you. Be more concerned with God being on your side than with the opinions of people.

1. We can do what the angels do, but the angels cannot have what we have.

We have the privilege of giving God glory while we are here on the earth. This gives believers the sincere honor of being a “light” to non-believers.

1. Despite bad news we may have, God always ends it with GOOD NEWS.

If God be for us, who can be against us! When we live a life glorifying God and giving thanks and praise for all God has done, even though times get rough, God is faithful to see us through. Think of the countless times that God has brought you through unforeseen circumstances throughout your life. When we follow God, He will be faithful to bring us through each situation with a testimony of GOOD NEWS.

PROCLAIM G O O D N E W S!

Give Thanks to God Daily

Open Your Heart to the Word of God

Obedience is the Key

Draw Closer to God Every Day

Never Give Up

Energize Yourself by Proclaiming the Love of God for You

Worship and Praise God for His Goodness

Start – Get Started Towards a Year of GOOD NEWS >>> Always Move Forward in God!

Proclaim that 2009 will be a year of triumph in God for you and your family. Live a righteous and holy life which glorifies God. This will allow God to open his hand to you and keep Good News coming, even in the midst of adversity.

Dr. Bellandra B. Foster, P.E. - www.drbbf.com and www.bbfes.com

Based upon the 12/21/2008 sermon by Pastor Joseph Hewitt – Reconciliation Word Ministry

Thank you for visiting. Click Here to find out more about my new book: For Love and Money: Seven Guidlines for Achieving Success in Your Home and Business

www.DrBellandraBFoster.com