Are you curious about how others get their start in entrepreneurship? How do you take the leap of faith of starting your own business teaching manners to children?
The thought of owning a business I admit was a bit scary.I had a corporate position with all the benefits imaginable.
There was a tugging.A desire to have something to call my own. Honestly, a creative outlet was a huge draw too.
My Personal Business Story
I am going to get personal and share with you what my business looked like when I first started, although the decisions I made to get where I am today and the most significant challenges along the way.
Most of you have asked and now I am sharing it with all of you.
This question is a valid one and I encourage you to ask business owners in different industries the same question.
After all, I lived down the street from a Barnes and Noble, and of course, there was the internet.Make no mistake on this one.This will delay your fast start.
Manners To Go™ is taught in public, private and charter schools around the world. The New York Times, Parents Magazine and Fox News have all featured Manners To Go and the many benefits of teaching social skills to children.
Whether you are an educator who wants to teach it in the classroom or someone who is looking to become trained and certified, we provide all the solutions.
My name is Lisa Richey, and I am the founder of Manners To Go™ . This brand has given me the honor of teaching manners to thousands of people around the world. The journey has taken me from Portland, Oregon to the Middle East. I believe that manners are not about judgment or rules. Manners are about self-interest. It really is about how using good manners makes you feel on the inside.
Testimonials for Manners To Go
Lisa is a great mentor and her Manners to Go program is truly turn key. She taught me everything that I needed to learn to ensure that I will be successful in my endeavor . The program has been very helpful every step of the way. I feel truly blessed that I am part of her team. ~ Rita Linda Dayrit Philippines Etiquette Consultant, 2018, Manners and Mindfulness
Lisa is a consummate professional and has been an invaluable resource to me as I begin my new business. Not only is she warm and welcoming in person, she is also an expert in her field who makes the subject matter relatable and accessible to her clients. Her training has provided me with a vast knowledge of etiquette and best practices for teaching it.
As an international business operator, I have been impressed with Lisa’s curiosity and questions, which enabled her to advise me and apply her product in a new region for a new audience. Her knowledge of marketing enabled me to hit the ground running and hold my first classes within weeks of becoming certified. Not only have I opened my own business but I have also gained a teammate who is committed to my success. ~ Jenni F., Macau, China
Lisa Richey’s Manners To Go certification program provides a highly efficient and effective training program for anyone considering starting a manners and etiquette business. I selected her program because of the virtual delivery method of training. The lesson plans and student handouts were easy to download and review before engaging in her one-on-one conference calls. During each call, Mrs. Richey was very focused in conveying her business strategies she has proven to be successful over the years. Mrs. Richey’s Manners To Go certification program is really a “best value” program considering her efficient use of the virtual delivery method of training, the quality of teaching materials provided and the effective, interactive business calls with her I found necessary to guide my steps to make the business of teaching manners successful. ~ Aleta Greenspan, Alabama
As a former teacher, I deliberated for months over which etiquette curriculum would best fit and equip me with quality materials, instruction and support to reenter the field of education. Manners To Go delivers! I regret not getting started sooner. The investment is modest for the quantity and caliber of materials you receive, not to mention the personal coaching from Lisa. The curriculum is age appropriately structured and organized in an easy to study format that positions you to execute your lesson confidently prepared. If you have a passion for equipping young people in etiquette, Manners To Go, is the way to go! ~ Alissa R. | Etiquette Consultant, 2016
I was looking for charm school type material for my after school program for girls, and came upon the Manners To Go website. It was like finding a treasure trove of “what-to-do(s)” and “how-to-do(s)” on manners for children. It was more that I could have imagined finding. It is, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have ever made.
In receiving my MTG training, Lisa provided every tool and resource needed to become a successful MTG Consultant. What excited me the most is that the training includes access to her many years of experience as a successful businesswoman.
I recommend the MTG program to parents, grandparents, teachers, after school programs, or anyone who may be concerned about what our children need know about manners and etiquette. Lisa’s Manners To Go is a great product, and it is a joy working with her! ~ Lindafaye N. Etiquette Consultant, 2015
Lisa, I am so happy I found you. I’ve wanted to teach kids etiquette for years, but never had the time to research all the material and then figure out how to teach it. With your Manners To Go program, I now have the perfect program to start my business. You delivered exactly what you promised: excellent support and a turnkey system. Thank you for making it easy and fun! It was truly an honor to be trained by someone of your caliber and experience, who was willing to share “everything you know, do, and use” with me. I would highly recommend you to anyone wanting to teach children’s etiquette! ~ Sandra E. Etiquette Consultant 2014
Lisa went above and beyond what she promised to deliver. Her enthusiasm she shares for my business is very reassuring. I have found a life long mentor. ~ Michele W. Etiquette Consultant 2016
How do you teach a child the gift of having a conversation? Isn’t it special to have someone be fully present with you? To have a conversation with anyone, an adult or a child is something to behold these days…a conversation without distraction.
My most popular topic when teaching business etiquette in the workplace is The Art of the Human Connection. The art of having a conversation, is a lost “art”. We are so consumed with social media that often we are so buried in it we miss out on so many opportunities. Often, it is the first request I have from a human resource director to discuss the basic skills of conversation to their team.
Take the time to teach a children how to converse! Life is fuller when you have this social skill. You actually become interesting. A child learns so much about life when they hear adults conversing with others.
Eye contact: This is a social skill that is so very important. By making eye contact, it shows someone that you are interested. It sends a message that you are confident. Point this out to a child. Explain why this is important. Take the opportunity to talk about confidence and how it feels. Get on their level. Literally! Get down on your knees if necessary and make eye contact with them.
Teach them to listen to others: Another important social skill is to listen. Tell them it is alright for there to be silence when having a conversation. This is the time to practice sharing-sharing the space to tell ideas and experiences.
Ask questions: By asking questions, you show others that you are interested in their experiences. Ask a child questions. Explain to them that you are having a conversation.
Phone skills: The Wall Street Journal had an article about answering the phone. Remember when we were growing up and we took messages for our parents? With smart phones, this most likely is not happening. This was a great way to teach conversation skills. It is still important for children to know how to answer a phone and converse. Below you will find a link to the article.
Read a story. After reading a story, talk about it with the child. Did they like the story? What was their favorite part? Tell them what you liked or what you learned from reading the story.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Children often spend their time in different places as they learn and grow. School teachers, extracurricular leaders, sports coaches, etiquette experts, friends, and family all play an important role for young minds. But what impact do they each have on teaching manners?
Adults who work with kids have the power to shape the next generation into kind, respectful human beings. But for the best results, they have to work together… as a team!
Why Etiquette Experts, Parents, and Teachers Should Work Together When Teaching Manners
Parents and teachers usually spend the most time with children. When they partner with etiquette experts, they make a big impact on small minds by teaching good manners and life skills consistently. Getting on the same page is key!
Years ago, most people believed that teaching manners should start at home. But that way of thinking has changed quite a bit recently. Nowadays, anyone who interacts with children should model good manners, strong character, and kindness—even with the youngest children!
Picture children in childcare settings. Parents of those children rely heavily on daycare teachers to help instill good manners. Similarly, children who spend their early years at home need adults to prepare them for experiences in larger group settings as they grow.
It takes both parents and teachers (with your help as an etiquette expert) to prepare youth for all the world has to throw at them!
And parents and teachers are often amazed by how much children enjoy learning proper etiquette skills. The reality is children often don’t even realize when they are learning social skills with a professional (because it’s so much fun!).
Etiquette experts bridge the gap between teachers and parents, uniting them as social role models for kids in all environments. Having that essential third party of an etiquette expert can make SUCH a difference in teaching manners.
How You Can Support Parents In Teaching Manners At Home
As an etiquette expert, you may find yourself inside of students’ homes teaching manners to whole families. When you enter someone’s home, your target students are often of the younger generation. But parents will often be surprised by how much they benefit from your private instruction, too!
Parents often don’t know what to expect when an etiquette expert comes to visit, but will usually learn even more than their children. This is because parents can put new social skills into practice and find success right away. The little details you’ll share can seriously impact parents and their children.
Adults are able to use what is taught during etiquette instruction in their personal and professional lives. Whether it be at the park talking with other parents or at the grocery store checking out, utilizing proper etiquette often gives parents a confidence boost that lifts their entire family.
How You Can Support Educators In Teaching Manners At School
Similarly, etiquette experts can make an incredible impact on teaching manners in schools! Just as bringing etiquette education into children’s homes influences their parents, bringing etiquette education to schools influences their teachers.
Think beyond the traditional brick school-building to discover all types of places for group instruction:
Troop meetings
Sports practices
Organized events
Daycares
The beauty of working with a large group of students is that they can benefit from an array of skills and practice together. As an etiquette professional, you may focus on any social points—from fine dining to conflict resolution—and leave a lasting impression on your students every time.
For example, you may design a program that teaches ‘life skills and character’ for all grades. This focus is broad enough to include every type of learner and narrow enough to tackle the problems with modern society. (Think excess screen time and prolonged isolation!)
No matter the angle that you approach etiquette in schools, you will certainly improve your students’ confidence and improve their chances of success as they grow. Etiquette continues to matter as students get older, especially with things like interview skills for high schoolers.
But etiquette education in school cannot end with you!
Teachers need to be trained in etiquette and learn how to incorporate manners into their everyday instruction. When teachers are invested, they can spread awareness to parents through webinars, group meetings, or other wide-scale communication tools.
Wait—Why Is Teaching Manners So Important?
Now more than ever, children need community! They have struggled with isolation and limited socialization for years. Manners are not something that children have been able to practice recently, so they require your help to catch up.
What’s more, children need to experience what it is to be human—to interact with other personalities and thrive! Social success starts by simply being in a group of people and practicing casual discussion, paying compliments, and rising above challenges.
You can offer those opportunities to your students through:
Roleplay
Exciting games
Exposure to real-life scenarios
No matter how you go about teaching manners, you are helping children feel comfortable and confident in their own shoes. And you are equipping the adults in their lives to repeat your lessons many times over.
Teaching manners is an extremely important job! By sharing your skills with teachers and parents, you triple the effectiveness of your lessons and improve your students’ odds for success.
If teaching manners to children is something you care about, then get your certification! A certification in etiquette opens more doors to you as an educator.
Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
The list on how to be a polished woman could be a very long one – so long this article may be divided into two parts!
Stay tuned.
A Polished Woman
Walk into a room as if you know where you are going: Posture wins every time. It exudes confidence. Practice in your house or from the grocery store parking lot into the store. Posture is the key to confidence, feeling strong and happy from the inside out.
Posture is a must of you want to feel and appear polished.
Habits and Self-Care: Our daily habits tell a great deal about ourselves. Write down your daily habits – the good ones and the habits that could use improving. This exercise will also show what is important to you. Trust me, this will make a difference in what you deem as really important to you.
Your wallet: Does this one surprise you? Take a look at your wallet. Is it stuffed with receipts and things you don’t need? An overstuffed wallet does not equal a polished woman. This is an important part of your overall image and personal brand.
A good habit is to clean out your wallet and handbag everyday. Yes, that often. Throw away receipts you don’t need or file them as necessary.
A Calm Presence: This takes practice. And it is necessary for peace and our over all well-being.
A Polished Dresser: Wow, this really deserves its own post. I spoke with an accounting firm today concerning a business etiquette training event and this topic was on the top of their list.
After two years of yoga and sweat pants, it is time for professionalism again. Some professionals need a reminder.
Yes, yoga pants are comfortable and leisure wear is everywhere but that doesn’t mean we have to align with it.
Be your own person. Notice how you feel on the inside if you were yoga and sweat pants everyday.
Listening: There is a difference between hearing and listening. Being fully present is a gift. Today, listening takes intention.
Put down your phone/device and make eye contact. Where your eyes go so does your attention.
Don’t walk and text: We point our fingers at children and teens but I see adults doing this.
Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
As an etiquette expert, you have the responsibility of teaching your students many habits and skills that will help them throughout their lives. To do your job effectively, you must provide etiquette learners with examples of good manners being used in different situations.
Sometimes it can be difficult to conjure up hypothetical scenarios to be an effective etiquette teacher, but this article should help steer you in the right direction.
Why Is It So Important To Exemplify Good Manners?
Practicing good manners helps to create a life of positivity and possibility. Etiquette experts are so much more than the keepers of “right and wrong.” They are grooming a new generation of happy, capable human beings who can tackle the problems of the world with ease.
Picture examples of good manners in your own life:
How would those scenarios have been different without good manners?
What doors have good manners unlocked for you and people that you know?
How have good manners become a subconscious part of your personality?
When you reflect on your own stories, it is easy to understand why good manners are necessary for young people! So many opportunities lie ahead of them: job interviews, first dates, formal events, and more. They need examples of good manners for all of the possible experiences that they may encounter in their future.
3 Examples of Good Manners You’ll Teach As An Etiquette Expert
By now, your brain might be swimming with examples of good manners. Let’s narrow it down to three very important categories to help your students be the most successful.
Confidence
Confidence is not something that comes naturally to everyone, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be taught or refined to help all of your students. Luckily, teaching etiquette to kids builds their confidence by giving them plenty of opportunities to achieve new skills, and teaches them how to present with confidence (even when they are feeling nervous) at the same time.
The skills that you teach, like eye contact to table manners, will make students feel confident in an unfamiliar environment. Other tips that you give them, like standing up straight and nodding as someone is speaking, will help them appear confident, even if they are just faking it at first.
Following the Manners To Go lesson plans and curriculum can help you make sure that you don’t skip over any examples of good manners. Every role-play lesson or activity helps to build confidence in your students as you go!
The Importance of A Great First Impression
Even at a young age, children should learn that first impressions are important. The first time that you meet someone tells them a great deal about how respectful, kind, and capable you are. And while opportunities for second and third impressions often come around, sometimes they don’t!
Examples of good manners that students can practice to make a good first impression include making strong eye contact, maintaining good posture, and paying attention when someone else is speaking–nodding along thoughtfully and responding appropriately. If students practice these skills enough, they will eventually become automatic for them.
Nailing a warm and welcoming greeting is also important for a first meeting with someone. Have your students practice a firm handshake and a friendly hello for every scenario.
Conversation Skills
If you want to make an immediate difference in the lives of your students—teaching them an etiquette skill that is most relevant to struggles in the world right now—give them the tools to talk to each other and adults. This seems pretty straightforward until you consider the impacts of isolation and excessive screen time in recent years.
We all need a sense of community right now—but especially children. Many children have missed out on human connection for the last two years. They need your help and examples of good manners to relearn common communication skills.
You can tackle this problem while teaching by starting each class session with an engagement activity to focus on conversation. Help your students along by asking questions about their day or what they like to do for fun. You can even play charades—anything to get them relaxed and communicating!
Students may also learn a great deal by acting out a conversation that they had with friends, family members, or teachers on that particular day. After everyone gets a turn to share, you can weed out examples of good manners from the group!
The role you play as an etiquette expert is extremely important—now more than ever since society has suffered such extreme challenges in the last couple of years. Children need as many examples of good manners as they can possibly get! With your patience and expertise, there is hope that a new generation of polite, considerate, and successful individuals is on the rise once more. Be sure to get your etiquette education certificate with Manners To Go so that you can reach as many children in need as possible.
Here is a FREE Guide to Help YOU Start a Business Teaching Manners to Children
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
It started with Tina Turner and a large bucket of flowers sitting in the sink.
My dream of having two dear friends traveling to my home for a long weekend was coming true.
The sink was full of beautiful flowers waiting for vessels – vases all over the place to see which ones were going to make the cut.
Tina was blaring as I was looking at the possible table settings I could create with my china and all the things! You know….the napkins, tablecloths, mats, glasses etc. Setting a beautiful table takes time and intention. And brings you so much joy.
Why Set a Beautiful Table
The reasons are endless to set a beautiful table and for me this special weekend gave me a chance to “Be”- to be myself and create an exceptional experience for my girlfriends.
Life has become so casual. And that is fine. I understand. There are times in life to elevate and expand who you are. This was it for me.
I also wanted this weekend to be extra special for them. We have been masterminding about our businesses for over seventeen years. This is EXTRAORDINARY. For me, this is a reason to celebrate our time together, our friendship and being ENTREPRENEURS.
Not a mealtime was left out. We set the most beautiful tables for breakfast, lunch, teatime and dinners. We ate out only once.
The laughter, the discoveries the growth experienced over that weekend was a true success.
And Here We Go Again- More Table Settings!
Our mastermind last year was so very special and expansive, we are meeting in person again – at my house for a long weekend.
I promise to share more photos of our time together.
And we are so eager to answer this questions. Of course we teach and show you everything you need to know and more.
We give detailed trainings and videos of not only how to set the table but also how to teach American and European dining. We share photos, diagrams and videos so that you have all that you need to know to get started teaching children and adults.
Our curriculum is comprehensive whether you choose our Zoom (live) training or our Immersive In-Person option.
If you are looking to start immediately and save money on travel and time, then this is your best option.You choose the dates of our trainings. Most choose to have their sessions once a week, others twice. This is a “live” and private training. It is NOTself-guided.
PRIVATE Training. That’s right, we meet in person, the two of us and our focus is completely on your business. Click the image above or follow the button below to learn more and to see a list of cities available for your training.
Lisa Richey provides etiquette programs to businesses, schools, and individuals.
