Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com, is transforming the automotive service industry for women. She talks with Host Kaira Rouda about how she is informing women about the industry and educating dealers and sales people on how to give women a better car buying experience and appropriately market to them. From the old boys club to new-age dealerships offering consumers spa services while they wait for their vehicle, DeVere gives us the inside scoop on the auto industry is changing�for the better.

Rouda dishes on current real estate market, connecting with employees, starting a business during tough times and how to discover your passions with the Blogtalk Radio personalities of Connecting Women. Expanding on those ideas, she explains how to leverage social media to develop and grow your business. Rouda also talks about her book, Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, and the purchasing power of women. She clarifies the steps and how each builds on one another to create a brand and business that is truly unique. Rouda understands the power of marketing to women and has been doing it for years. She knows how important it is for your passion to be at the heart of your business. For more great tips from Kaira, go to RealYouIncorporated.com and join the community or KairaRouda.com.

When asked the ultimate entrepreneurial question, �How do you know when to leave your job and start your own business,� Carries Runnals, founder of Words to Mouth and co-host of TheDivaCast podcasts, responded that it�s a personal answer and an individual decision for everyone. For her, she saw a window and just took a leap of faith. Runnals got her start in podcasting when one of her friends decided to do her thesis via podcast. Forming TheDivaCast, Runnals and her friends began talking about their everyday lives and experiences. While recording TheDivaCast, Runnals says she was bitten by the �bug� and wanted to start her own podcast show. Combing her corporate world experience with her previous recording knowledge, her show �Words to Mouth��a podcast featuring rising stars�became a huge success. As an authority on podcasting Runnals says the one word that describes her is �encourager.� Growing up she was taught to share knowledge and expertise with everyone, and in doing so she has become a podcasting favorite.

From a weekend in LA, to a week in Columbus without power, to hosting a panel of women entrepreneurs at the Wexner Center, Kaira Sturdivant Rouda recaps an array of adventures, determination and inspiring stories. Rouda�s weekend of relaxation in LA was followed by a homecoming with no electricity, tons of kids running through her home and the pressure of preparing to host a panel discussion. After realizing the power was not coming on anytime soon, she and her family booked a hotel and prepared for a night full of Andy Warhol art and stories for local entrepreneurs. The event was held at the Wexner Center for the Arts, a museum at the leading center for contemporary art. As host of the event, Rouda asked panel members questions about their journey as an entrepreneur and about their philanthropic strategies. Then leading into a Q&A session, the panel enlightened audience members in the areas of entrepreneurship, women support and networking groups and ways to give back to the community. The event ended with a book signing and reception that deemed the night a success. A special thanks to the panel members: Bev Bethge (Ologie), Jeni Britton (Jeni�s Ice Cream), Kim Holzer (Smith Barney) and Elizabeth Lessner (Betty�s Fine Food and Spirits, Surly Girl Saloon and Tip Top Kitchen and Cocktails).

Learn to express your personal brand at the office and find the keys to environmental branding from host Mike Maxwell, Kaira Rouda and special guest Erin Corrigan. Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, president of Real Living and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, knows that business and personal worlds are uniting, and people want the freedom to express all aspects of their life. She hopes most people are working in an environment that allows them to express personal brand in office. According to special guest Erin Corrigan, vice president of creative services for Real Living, no matter who you are�a designer, writer, accountant, etc.�your work space is your creative space. Whether it�s a picture of the Star Destroyer, sand and sea shells or toys for design inspiration, your office should reflect your personality. One of the easiest ways to help bring your personality into your work space is through environmental branding�specifically the five senses and, above all, smell. For example, when creating the Real Living brand, Kaira and Erin chose scents that reflected the home though the seasons. Scents like warm apple pie and lemongrass were a perfect fit. In keeping with the five senses, painting your walls helps to brighten attitudes and lift spirits. Kaira says it is important to create a brand that allows workers to express their personal brands in their offices because it helps build culture. It encourages co-workers to become friends, and friends become like family; thus creating a brand and a culture that allows everyone to grow.

From locker combinations to complex schedules, bus bullies and inspiring teachers, Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, president of Real Living, and Mike Maxwell dissect the good and the bad of back-to-school basics. Kaira and Mike reminisce about the excitement and anxiety of going back to school after summer vacation and discuss how moms in business can adjust their personal schedules so that a fresh school year for the kids can also be a fresh routine for their business. But really, before anything commences, Kaira suggests taking a day off to spend time with your kids before they transition into their academic routines. This time is important and can help you maintain a healthy balance.

As a seasoned marketing professional, Rouda says the key to marketing is to figure out who your target is and successfully translate your personal brand to them. To help readers define their target audience, Rouda suggests looking at who your best clients are. Then create a profile or brand board that illustrates your clients� personality traits. Rouda and Ades also discuss the women featured in Real You Incorporated. The common thread between all of the women in the book is the confidence they had to turn their dreams into actions. Ades, featured in chapter six, talks about her journey as an entrepreneur and what is was like to be featured in Real You Incorporated. Ades says the most interesting part was completing the RYI chart. She talks about how challenging and rewarding it really was to come up a single word that describes her personality. Rouda also shares her story of trying to come up with her one word. Later in the interview, Rouda and Ades discuss snarks� negative influences in your world who try to take your power away and bring down your confidence. Rouda also notes becoming more real helps you to get rid of the snarks because the more real you become the more aware you are of snarks and their actions. Rouda tells listeners to be strong and confident in everything they do. A support system is invaluable.

A marketing professional with 20 years of experience, Kaira Sturdivant Rouda successfully brand Real Living� the first women-focused brand in real estate. Rouda discusses how to be authentic and portray the real you in your business. She believes that incorporating your personal brand with your business brand will give your company an authentic touch and a unique competitive edge. While the book may be directed toward women, it applies to all, and Rouda encourages every entrepreneur to read it and find out how to create their own personal brand. She also encourages people to share their gifts with others- a rewarding and invaluable experience. Rouda also discusses the art of publishing a book while juggling family and business life. She also talks about how the Real Living brand came to life and how it continues to grow.

Listen as Author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs, Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, discusses the power of putting the �Real You� in your business with Keith Ferrazzi, best selling author of Never Eat Alone. After successfully branding Real Living�one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the U.S.�in 2002, Rouda published her first book for entrepreneurs or people thinking about starting businesses. She believes that incorporating your personal brand with your business brand will give your company a unique competitive advantage. She covers the importance of defining yourself in one word, finding your passions, personal branding, authentic marketing, sharing your story and differentiating yourself and your brand.