1.How did you become interested in Ecommerce? In other words, what motivated you to establish a web presence? I'm not sure why or how it happened, but back in 1994 when the Internet was relatively new, I registered a few domain names thinking "someday I'd want to have a website" though I had no idea what I'd use it for or when. Then, in 1998 when I opened my first retail business, I realized the importance of having a web presence. It was so much easier to put my brochure online than deal with constantly redesigning and printing new marketing materials. If I had a change in my business offering, I could instantly make the change on the website. It was great! Having a website "brochure" also saved me a lot of time, because I used my outgoing voicemail message to direct people to the website to have their questions answered. I no longer needed to have the same conversations with lots of different people, and that was a big relief. Then, in 2001 when I found myself in a new business where people wanted to pay me with credit cards, I quickly became interested in Ecommerce. I didn't have a merchant account set up, so I did some research and discovered that it was pretty easy to accept credit cards online. At first, I simply wanted to fulfill my customers' requests to accept credit cards, but I quickly realized this simple action opened up the entire world as potential customers.

2. What is the overall goal or mission of your website(s)? I have 5 websites right now. The overall goal of www.NEWentrepreneurs.com (which is my primary business) is to be a resource center for women entrepreneurs who want to experience personal, business, spiritual and financial fulfillment. This is where women can sign up for my weekly newsletter, register for live or virtual meetings, find out about upcoming events and seminars, join NEW, network, learn how to increase their business revenues, and be part of a growing community of like-minded women entrepreneurs. It's truly a "hub" for women who have or want to start their own business.

My publishing company website is www.loveyourlife.com. The goal of this website is to showcase the first 2 books I've published and connect people to the individual websites for each book (where books can be purchased online). My first book, "Inspiration To Realization" (www.InspirationToRealization.com) is a compilation of stories, tips and strategies from 41 members of NEW Entrepreneurs. My husband's book "Stepping Up To The Plate" (www.SteppingUpToThePlate.com) is a compilation of interviews he conducted with 150 Major League Baseball players to teach life lessons through the sport of baseball. There is no Ecommerce at www.loveyourlife.com, it's simply used as a site to redirect visitors to the Ecommerce sites for each book.

My personal website (which is still being developed) is www.ChristineKloser.com. The goal of this website is to be a "one stop shop" for potential clients to find out about my services including speaking, coaching and consulting. It will also be a feeder to my other websites, as well as include my personal media room.

3. From where do you draw inspiration? I draw most of my inspiration from the women who are members of NEW Entrepreneurs. Seeing the incredible results they have achieve just makes me want to give them more. When a woman fulfills her dream of making more money, buying investment property, launching a new division of her company, discovering her ideal work, writing her first book, starting a business, or achieving a healthy work/life balance... there is nothing more inspirational than that. Receiving thank you notes, emails and phone calls (sometimes from women I have never even met) is all the inspiration I need to keep searching for ways to educate and empower women to have every one of their dreams come true.

4. How do you market your site(s)? Right now my site is mostly marketed through my ezine "The Empowered Woman" available at www.NEWnewsletter.com. It gets passed around a lot by current subscribers. Aside from that, my website is promoted in my book, articles, media outlets (at least the ones that will plug a website), speaking and word of mouth. To be honest, because my business is offline and online, most of my marketing efforts have been offline. However, I'm putting the plans in place to do more online marketing next year as I prepare to have my first baby and won't be producing as many offline events. (As a matter of fact, if anyone out there is interested in talking with me about Internet marketing, I am looking for the right person to help me with that endeavor.)

5. What’s the best advice you have ever received about website development?Plain and simple... build your opt-in email list and cultivate a relationship with your subscribers.

6. If you could only offer one piece of advice about ECommerce to our readers, what would that be? Whatever product/service you offer... always over deliver. Give your customers MORE in value than the dollar amount they paid you. That's how you build a solid customer base and great word of mouth advertising.

7. What are some of the trends you are noticing in your industry? Funny you ask, when I started NEW Entrepreneurs in 2000, there were not that many women's groups for entrepreneurs except those that were connected to a local Chamber of Commerce. Now, there are many more women's groups sprouting up all over the place. So, my focus is to continue to differentiate my business, and over deliver on value.

8. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Yes, don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do something. Surround yourself with like-minded people who believe in the possibility of your dreams. Share your ideas and dreams with people who will not put you down or doubt your ability to achieve them. Create your team of supporters who you can go to for inspiration,, advice, resource,s or when you simply need to bounce around an idea.

9. What is the one thing you would like readers to know about you? About your company? My commitment is to empowering, inspiring and educating women entrepreneurs to experience success in all areas of their life. I believe you can have it all... money, fame, love, successful relationships, health, happiness and spiritual fulfillment. The only reason my business has grown over the past few years is because of this commitment and the growing population of like-minded entrepreneurial women. If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know.

(For more information on Christine Klosser and NEW Entrepreneurs, Inc. visit www.NEWentrepreneurs.com).

© 2006 - Heidi Richards is the author of The PMS Principles, Powerful Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business and 8 other books. She is also the Founder & CEO of the Women’s ECommerce Association, International www.WECAI.org (pronounced wee-kī) – an Internet organization that “Helps Women Do Business on the WEB.” She can be reached at www.HeidiRichards.com.