It’s hard to believe that a year ago today (5th November 2008) the Secret Women’s Business Network blog was born.

The SWBN itself was born from a germ of an idea a couple of months earlier, but the blog became our official public face and we’ve shared some interesting developments and events over that year; from competitions to crazies (you know who you are), fun stuff to special reports, Cool Tools to interviews with some great business people, and a lot more in between.

To mark our blog birthday we’ve decided to share some of our highlights of the past year with you. We’d love to hear your own favorites too.

(Note: I asked for 3 highlights each but when have we ever managed to stick to the rules?)

Barb’s fave posts (in no particular order):

1. Do You Know (and Understand) Your Market?

I love this post by Lisa because I’ve had many of my own “attack of the useless salesperson” experiences. If somebody is trying to sell me something without taking the time to really understand what I need and want, I’m turned off right away. If they do actually take the time to “get” me and my needs, they’ll make a loyal customer out of me on the spot.

2. Outsource Vs Outtask

I chose this post because before I’d read it, I didn’t even know the word “outtask” existed; I’d never heard the term uttered within North America. Thanks to Allison for making the distinction and teaching me something in the process.

I couldn’t choose just three favourite posts, so here are two more:

3. Cool Tool #2 – Google Translate

Yes, it’s a post of my own, but the whole experience and story was just too cool not to mention

4. SWBN Podcast #006: Ed Dale, Business Beginnings and the Thirty Day Challenge

What can I say? I’m an Ed-o-holic. This 3-part podcast series by the lovable Tubby Nerd of internet marketing is not to be missed.

Allison’s Favourites

How to choose? They are all awesome…I am proud of everything we have done in the SWBN and everything Barb and Lisa produces is top notch.

1.  It’s Not Your Fault

Time to take personal responsibility for your situation.

2.  Liars and Thieves

Yes I wrote it and it’s fiction, but it’s still an idea I hold dear to my heart and really should do something about

3. Every Podcast

While the podcasts are under the SWBN banner, Lisa is the smart chicky who does them and they are just fabulous! I can’t pick a favourite, they are all SO GOOD.

Lisa’s Picks

1. Photo Friday

I know that’s a lot more than 1 post and I know from a business learning point of view these may haveseemed like frivolous fun next to our other posts, but these are my favorites, so I can pick anything I want

The reason I loved Photo Friday so much is because those posts revealed a great deal about the personalities behind the SWBN. We’ve never met in person and although we had built a great friendship which led to this business collaboration, there was still much I didn’t know about Barb and Allison. Photo Friday gave me a glimpse into the people they are and what makes them tick. Absolutely fascinating!

2. WordPress Widget Translates into (Good!) Traffic

Allison is an early adopter and she picks up on new tools and strategies quickly. I’ve learned to take notice when she makes a casual comment about something working for her. Many people have raved about the extra traffic the translation widget can bring to your site but (at least in my sphere of learning) Allison was the first (she was also one of the first to blog about the benefits of the Apple iPhone web app and the Kindle/iPhone opportunities)

3. Online Success for Small Businesses Podcast with June Mattiza

I’ve loved all the podcast interviews I’ve recorded, and every single person I’ve interviewed has offered some real gems of business information.

Barb has already favorited my interview with Ed Dale, which was also one I enjoyed immensely, not least because I had wanted to interview him for a long time.

The other podcast that immediately springs to mind is the one I recorded with June Mattiza of The Media Collective. I knew very little about June and her business before the interview so I was unsure what to expect. The interview was as interesting and valuable to me as I believe it was (and will continue to be) to anyone who listened to it.  That’s what I love about interviewing – the unknown, the surprises, ending the interview knowing more than when I began and feeling enriched by their openness and willingness to share.

Now it’s Your Turn….

Many of you have stuck with us over the past year and consumed everything (or almost everything) we have written and recorded.

We’d love to know what you have enjoyed on the blog in the last 12 months…