A syringe and COVID-19 vaccine bottle on top of face masks which are atop blue flowers on a blue background.

May COVID-19 Rundown: Vaccines Lead to Blossoming Reopening

This time last year, the saying, “Make hay in May,” had never seemed so fruitless, as we were all heavily quarantined during the height of the pandemic. Now, a year later, May is bringing more than just flowers; it’s bringing hope. With vaccine appointments extended to all adults, proactive reopening plans, and even more grants […]
"Client Testimonials" written on a notepad on top of a pick desk cluttered with notebooks.

Applying Testimonials to Your Business’s Marketing Strategy

Long past are the days where a customer’s referral only extended to their immediate social circle. The internet has immortalized our opinions, fully in view of customers researching your business. However, beyond Amazon, Yelp, and other review platforms, there’s another powerful marketing tool that often goes underutilized: testimonials. Testimonials serve as a vote of confidence […]
Person on computer speaking into a microphone. Online speaking, webinar, or podcast.

Public Speaking: Reinventing the Best Marketing for 2021

When it comes to marketing your business, one of your biggest tools will always be yourself. People buy from people, and the more you can get yourself out there being seen, heard, and engaging with potential customers, the more leads you will find. For many, including myself, this means workshops and speaking engagement. But with […]

The 22s: How to Sell When You Hate Selling

People often associate selling with negative connotations. Being pushy, dishonest, and manipulative are just some of the words that come to mind for most people. However, although you may cringe at the thought of selling, you don’t have to sacrifice your values at the cost of a sale. Authenticity, enthusiasm, and an honest display of […]
Julia Becker Collins works with two Vision staffers on a laptop.

Why We’re Proud to Be a Women-Owned and -Run Business

Recently, I was networking with a colleague and was on an initial phone call with him. When I explained that we were women-owned and -run, he responded with, “Oh, you’re only trying to work with women.” To him, stating your business is women-owned, minority-run, etc., means that you are only selling to those groups. Calmly, […]
Julia Becker Collins in her home office.

In the News: How servant leadership keeps companies together

This article originally appeared in the Worcester Business Journal on February 22nd, 2021. Once you have employees, your business changes. Leadership isn’t defined by what you lead, but how you lead. Who do you put first at your business? Yourself? Your team? Your customers? There are no right or wrong answers, but they all form […]
"Who are you?" typed onto a pblank page using a typewriter

The Importance of a Winning Mission Statement

It’s one thing to want to be the best in your field, but conveying your commitment to quality, integrity, and values in words is much more influential. That’s the role of your mission statement. It’s an opportunity to find consumers with shared values and communicate the fundamental purpose of your company. A well-crafted mission statement […]