Looking to hang out with the rat race for the weekend? Vancouver, Canada is the perfect weekend getaway spot for the busy businesswoman!

From a bike ride in Stanley Park to the hottest concerts and most delectable cuisine, Vancouver promises not to disappoint!  A long weekend will be just enough time to catch a flavor of this hip, international city.

Just be sure get there before the 2010 Winter Olympics make Vancouver too costly and crowded for your budget and enjoyment.

Entrepreneur Goddess Suggests:

Lodging: Fairmont Downtown. Built in 1928, this gorgeous hotel stands out among the modern high rises dotting the skyline. You can’t beat the location, just a short walk from the trendy boutiques on Robson as well as the picturesque waterfront. The downside to staying at the Fairmont: $13/day for in-room internet.

Restaurant: Cardero’s. If you’ve ever wanted to dine over the water, here’s your chance. The seafood will please the most discriminating seafood lovers and the salads, bless them, will bring tears of happiness to vegetarian eyes. Cardero’s also offers a huge selection of locally brewed beer, so drink up.

Recreation: Bike rentals in Vancouver go for about $10 for 2 hours at a bike shop across the street from Cardero’s. If you forget your helmet, it’ll cost you an extra $5. A couple of hours is more than enough time for a scenic ride around Stanley Park.

Free Internet: Blenz Coffee appears to be a few steps ahead of Starbucks in Vancouver, they have one on just about every corner. For the price of a cup of coffee, your wifi is free. Follow them on Twitter: @blenzcoffee.

Related articles

• Vancouver: Perfecting city life with the great outdoors (cnn.com)
• VANCOUVER, SEX WORKERS, TRAINING: Media Training Prior To Winter Olympics (huffingtonpost.com)

Work hard, play hard.

Every Entrepreneur Goddess needs and deserves time to play. A few days or weeks away from the office and rat race does a body, mind, and spirit good. When you return to the office and everyday life as you know it, you’ll be that much more productive.

I’ve escaped the rat race for a few days at Mt. Shasta…and beyond!

Stay tuned.

On a daily basis, or so it seems, I’m inundated with requests to volunteer, donate, or give back in some way or another. From donation canisters at checkout stands to Girl Scout cookies and wrapping paper at my door, the requests seem to be never ending. You help and turn around only to find another request.

As human beings on this planet, especially in such fortunate positions (we are, after all, using the internet which is more than most can afford) it is vital we give back to our communities and world.

Because the guilt factor can be so strong (it’s really impossible to give to everyone), it’s important to find your style of giving. Are you most comfortable spreading your pocket change out among various people and organizations or do you prefer pooling your resources (time and/or money) into one specific area? Both are great ways to help, just know your style.

I enjoy the art of giving and have donated thousands of my own hours and money throughout my life. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in giving that we forget about our own needs. I’ve seen businesses close because the owners are a bit too generous. If a business closes because they aren’t getting by, they are helping far fewer people in the end because their efforts are not long term and sustainable.

The Lesson: Businesses need a PLAN FOR GIVING.

(Originally posted at Twolia)

• Needs to be more than: “I didn’t want to work for someone else anymore.”o If X can do it, so can I, may or may not be true

• Remember having a passion for something is not enough

• Be careful of: “So I can be at home with my children” or “So I will have more control of my time”.

• Be sure you are clear

• Don’t try to be too much

• Don’t group things that are different

• Too much and too different make you look as if you’re not good enough at something specific

• Can you translate your product or service into a benefit

• If this is not clear you will be wasting time, effort and money marketing and selling

• Everyone or anybody are not good answers

• Banks say this is the number one question loan seekers cannot answer

• It takes research to truly answer this

• Your product/service doesn’t make them spend money; their need or desire does

• It takes research to know what makes them spend money

• Not understanding this will cause you to waste a lot of time and money and possibly to fail

• They must have a reason

• Typical reasons are social consciousness or money

• If they do not care, use another marketing angle

• Research is necessary to know this

• Because research is necessary, you must do it or have it done to be successful

• Marketing and sales must be done whether you like it or not

• You must do it or pay someone to do it

• First, do you know how much you need?

• If you plan to start part-time or on a shoestring, be sure you can be successful

• If you go to a bank you must address the other questions in this list

• Remember that with investors of any kind you lose some control

• Passion and Good Ideas are not financed, potential profit is financed

• Do not expect to receive grants to start or run your business – they do not exist

• Just because prospects, banks, investors, employees, etc. should doesn’t mean they will

• Believing that people will because they should sets you up for failure or at the least disappointment and frustration

• Research is vital to know if prospects and banks/investors will do what you think they should

• Don’t start a business in a field that is already crowded unless you have something very unique

• Don’t start a business in a field where people are not succeeding unless you know why they are not succeeding and you know (not think) you can do better

• If you do not know your competition how will you compete?

• Be sure you have enough money, time and people to compete

• Research is necessary to understand the competition

• A good question is “Do I have the stomach for it”

• Another good question is “Do I have the stamina?”

• You must do the research, understand the situation and develop the plans so that you know what it will take to start and run a business

• The research will also help you put passion and expectations in perspective

• This is very important, but is specific to your business type and your situation

• The need for this understanding is why research is vital

• The need for planning is why you hear “Do you have a Business Plan?” all the time

• Can you hear these words and move on to the next loan officer or prospect?

• Can you use these words to help you decide if you need to modify, redirect or fold your tent?

• Can you take these words as opportunities and not obstacles?

• If a prospect has a process can you accept the fact that you must follow it, will you allocate the time to do so?

• Do you understand that the directions or hoops are part of the “test”?

• Do you recognize that the directions or hoops do not have to make sense to you?

• Remember that the customer is always right