JPD Mom

Does Surviving Mean Succeeding?

November 9, 2009.

The expression,  ignorance is bliss holds true for most major life changing events.  I can say that in my life it has been true; marriage, child birth, parenting, aging, starting a business - that stupid sappy Rod Stewart song about, If I knew then what I know now....ya I may need to download that song before I get too old.  What good ol' Rod is saying is,  us youngin's be dumb, or at the very least blissfully ignorant to what the future has in store for us. 

I am a firm believer that had I known what life had in store for me I might have taken a pass and spent a few days (years) under the covers.  Thankfully I have no time machine, nor am I able to look in my crystal ball and tell what I did right or wrong.  I  am living in the moment, I have made mistakes, I have taken chances, I have fallen down.  The good thing is I am not playing with anyone's life (or life savings) so I have gotten up, dusted myself off and continued on.

Back in My Day...

The older I get, the more I tend to repeat myself.  I don't know if it because I am tired or just that my mothers voice keeps ringing in my ears.  I am not sure why the older we get we just talk about how it used to be, or the good ol' days - but I have a good enough sense to point it out (before my husband does) and it was better a few years ago.  Our industry was bursting at the seams with excitment, publicity, new products, new sales channels - it was exciting. 

When I started JPD I was so excited, so passionate about every little aspect.  Whether it was a new product, a new account, some press - it was so new, so exciting.  Figuring out how to do an electronic newsletter was huge.......now ah, been there done that.  Sales would double year after year - we would get a new sales account weekly - things were humming along, it was hard not to be excited. 

Now, not much gets me excited.....okay truth be told Dr. Phil did get me excited and I still get geeked up over new designs.  I love designing products, working on color schemes,  creating a new product - that I enjoy.  The every day stuff, the work I do now with the Economy down - a must, but not as much fun.  It is what it is - this is true, I just don't do it all that well, or enjoy it.

The SevenYear Itch

I know the 7 year itch is supposed to refer to a marriage that is on the rocks, or just not great.  I don't even remeber where we were or what we were doing when we had our 7 year anniversary, but for my business I knew it was this year.  The 7 year mark - it is here and I know it.  I revel in it and I dread it.  This has been a tough year, a very, very tough year. To those that say the Recession is over or better yet we did not have one, to you I say, "Pssssssssssssssst! (raspberry or sticking my tongue out at you if you need a visual)"  That is the best I can do without swearing like a sailor.  It is so not over and it may be getting better, but not quick enough.

We (only me now) did come up with new products this year, but the climate has changed.  When our channels are trying to make ends meet and just push product adding my 20 new designs is not always a priority.  I don't know if it is because I have so many designs, or people are tired of my products.  I do know that when I sent out our email about drop dead dates for the holiday and to intorduce new products that 16 came back as undeliverable - that means 16 businesses went under since my last email - that was just this summer!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, Turn and Face the Strain

It is not so much a matter of life and death, but more a choice of survive or fail.  Success is my only option, Failure is not an option for me. (I am starting to sound like an Eminem song....right?)  I will not go down without a fight, nor will I let all my hard work be for not .  It would be easy to just pull the covers over my head and ignore what was happening - but I refuse to be that girl.  I refuse to accept that end of my story - it will not end that way.

In the next six months or so there will be some major changes at JPD.  I am hoping that it goes as planned  - but I do not know if it will - I am just guessing here but nothing goes as planned right?  We have a number of options on the table right now.  Some are exciting, some are scarry, some are just damn depressing.  We need to look at all of our options, we need to see what is the best thing to do.  The dumb entrpreneur refuses to look at the options on the table - I am not that person.  I am lookng at all our options - even the ones I do not want to look at.

The Last of the Mohicans

This year we have lost some giants in our industry.  We have watched some stores go away in a flash, others just did a quick midnight move.  Artisans have licensed their art, others have given up on wholesale.  I have sat by and watched, I have winced, I have cried.  I have envied some and I have felt deep sorrow for others.  But, mostly I have felt frustration, frustration at the Economy, frustrated by dwindling sales, and frustrated that I am still doing this after seven years.

Looking around at less competition on some sites, less websites and physical stores I suppose attrition is good.  I suppose that it is just a cycle that all industries go through.  For me though it makes me mostly sad, and makes me question a lot of what I do.  It  makes me wonder if those that got out were smart?  Or lucky?  Is licensing really going to make as much money as manufacturing?  Is just designing as rewarding as the whole process of selling a real product to a customer?

Only Time Will Tell

Holiday sales are starting to pick up for us.  We have some possible exciting new channels for 2010.  Another fundraiser Wall Tile project for another local school will keep me busy for the next few months.  And as the changes come (and they will) I will keep you posted.  If one thing stays the same it is that I can NOT keep my mouth shut about it.

A Review of a Peek

October 29, 2009

So.....I am not big on reviews of products, I am not one to get free products and then claimlie that I loved it.  I already made it pretty clear how I would NOT be doing many more (if any) reviews with bloggers.  I was actually thrilled to hear that there would be some crack down on the reviews and the blogger would need to fess up and explain that the review was just an advertisement.  

Any hoo, I did myself a little review...and I will disclose what I got and how it became to be.

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

Yes, like everyone else I love me some compliments.....I know, totally self absorbed - but I am being honest!  I am sorry, I do enjoy nice words.  Say something nice and THEN insult me....I may not even hear the second thing as I will still be blushing and and saying, "Oh stop." after you said something nice.  So....last week I got an email (like I get sometimes weekly, if not at least monthly) asking me to review a product.  I was asked to review the latest version of Peek and I was going to get a Peek in the mail, they were going to activate it, all I had to do was use it.

I quickly (well not really it was more like a few days) emailed back saying I did not usually do reviews and I could not figure out why my readers of my blog would care.  I never thought I would get a response, but i did - the email I got back said that my writing.....wait for it......was AWESOME.  They called me awesome?  I mean, me?  I was like - okay, sign me up.

Blackberry I will Always be Faithful to You

Here is the thing I love my blackberry, I am on my secondthird if you count last Fall when I dropped mine in a cup of coffee and then tried to deny it.  I took it to the Verizon store and said it stopped working....the guy took the battery out, showed me the color changed proved it had been in liquid and then he smelled it.....he said, "Ma'am (I hate that) it smells like coffee."  I was all, "those damn kids....."  Anyway I upgraded this Summer to #3 - and my blackberry is pink - bright fluorescent pink.  That way my husband does not pick mine up by accident and I NEVER lose it in my purse - it almost glows.  I get calls, check email, keep up on Facebook, watch my google email - I am almost always connected.

The bad part about my blackberry is the cost, it costs us about $50.00 a month.  Also it gets stuck sometimes and I have to reboot my computer.  I also do not like all the bells and whistles sometimes - lots of the little extras it does - I never use.  And I am not a cell phone talker - I hate talking on the blackberry - cell phones are much easier.  Oh, and I am not a blue tooth girl - I. hate. bluetooths.

So, I may always love my blackberry I am not totally convinced it is the best, or most economical for me.  It works for now and I do not go far without it....in fact it is the first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check before bed.  I always know what is going on, who is trying to reach me and I like that.  I um, may have some issues....but that is a total other post.

Me & The Peek

I got the Peek last Friday and set it up right away.  I already had my work email set up with my blackberry so I set this up with my Facebook email account....yes, I have a separate account, and I figured if I was going to get to try something out - why not keep in touch with my Facebook friends.  The Peek is just a small device that lets you check your email, and reply.  It is not a phone, it is not checking the internet, it is not a GPS device - just check my email.  But only one account - which of all does not work for me, I have a few:

Work Email - work related stuff, PR stuff, companies I work with, sometimes friends

Personal Email-my children's school (Facebook too) has this email account.  I link this to Facebook.  I also use it for ALL catalog orders, any time I need to give an email address

Google Mail - This is um, I have no idea why I have this.  This email is sort of a little bit of both emails.

With the Peek I was only able to hook up to one email account.  I liked checking all my emails, oh and I have Instant Messenger on my Blackberry....another good thing. 

Not the Perfect Solution

I have 3 email accounts, I can only check one.  I have no internet, I have no Instant Messenger.  Even though I do not like talking on the phone, I need a phone.  I would need to have two devices.  The one that I have is black and thin - I can NOT find it in my purse.  If I were to purchase one I would buy a bright color so I could find it (not really a con but a truth).

Me Likey Some of the Peek

I liked that the Peek was simpleto use - it took less than five minutes to set up.  I liked that I could check email all day, it never went down, it was very easy to use (uh, ya I am repeating myself).  The wheel on the right side was like my older version of the blackberry - I was familiar with it.  It locked easily.  The Peek is very small, slim and the keyboard is easy to use.......eh, a broken record - it was simple.  If this had existed 3 years ago I would have probably gotten this instead of a blackberry - it only costs $15 to $20 a month.  For when I travel - this Peek would be great - just to keep me connected.  I am not one that texts (but I am trying to figure out texting......which the Peek lets me do).  Even though I have not figured out texting, I like that it costs me NOTHING.....all part of the plan.

The End of the Story

The Peek is fun to use and great to stay connected.  I would rather get an email from a friend (or business partner) than a phone call.  I also just (as in seconds ago) tried texting........for the first time.  Dam, I wish I was texting all last week.   It is super easy.  This device would be great for people that do not need 1 billion applications for their phone (uh me).  I am not switching, but I do like the Peek.  I think it is worth looking at when figuring out if you want a way to stay connected when you are out and about.  This device would be great for my mother - someone that likes to stay connect to work, but has no interest in a blackberry or i-phone.   

The Whole Dr. Phil Truth, the whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth

October 15, 2009.

It has been almost 24 hours since I saw myself on the Dr. Phil Show last night.  In Northern California it airs at night, but I had already heard from friends across the country what was said, and how I looked.  I can't even begin to explain how surreal (and very uncomfortable, even after a glass of wine) it is to watch yourself on TV, hear your voice and to know  the show was edited.

 

 

Behind the Scenes at Dr. Phil

After the make-up artist, the hair person, the handlers and the producers all got us guests gussied up and wound into a total heart-beat freaking out panic, they escorted us down to the studio.  My husband could not come, we were told to leave our cameras/cell phones/purses in our room.  Heather Armstrong was told to stay put, me, Jessica and a woman named Melia (sorry about spelling) were marched down some stairs to where Dr. Phil was filmed. 

Once the three of us got to the back of the stage a producer type with an earpiece started dictating where we should stand and who was in front and behind us.  Oh wait, let me back up - there was a gaggle of women with purses laughing, giggling and holding pieces of paper standing in front of us.  They were all very animated and I was clearly confused.  Who the heck were these women? Why were they clutching their purses and how come none of them had their hair and make up done?  Who told that one to wear the tight tan suit with crocks?  Jessica informed me they were from the studio audience and were NOT guests.  I was still a bit baffled as I did what I was told by Gaffer man.

Stay At Home Mom's Over Here.....Working Mom's Go Over There!

If a camera had been on me when they started dividing us up by whether we worked or did not work you would have seen me start to panic.  I was seriously starting to sweat when I figured we were going to be in the audience (what?  I thought I was a guest?) and when I saw that the Stay at Home Mom's by far outnumbered us working mothers - I freaked.  The gaffer/producer dude was yelling at us to move from one side or the other.  I was having flashbacks from grammar school, like PE when the damn dodge ball team was picked.....I was a 40 pound weakling who was knock-knee-ed, guess when I was picked?

We were told to stay in our line (I was last - go figure) and we all walked down more stairs to another behind the scenes/seating area location to wait to be called up to "practice" where we would sit.  As we are all standing there one woman (I will call her Babs) whowaswearing a too tight suit, had dyed blond hair,and her roots growing out started asking questions to the group.  In a somewhat high squeaky voice she started quiet, but then got louder as the crowd answered the questions the way she wanted them too, "Who's a stay at home mom?  Are you a stay at home mom?  Raise your hand?  You are? Woot! Woot!  You are? (high fiving the ones that were) Yeah!!".  The women standing near hera with their hands up and their faces smiling with delight and glee.  Then Babs gave them the rally call they so needed, "Yeah!  Us Stay At Home Mom's we are going to RULE this!"  I was annoyed.

As I told Jessica (who was in front of me) she (Babs) did not KNOW me, she did not know who I was - I had a blog dam nit....and I was not afraid to use it. Then I started thinking, since when was it us against them?   I did not sign up for this.........I was gritting my teeth by then.  The only saving grace was that when we all got our microphones they passed on Babs.  She was all aflutter, since she was told (as she repeated) that she was getting one.  I am not embarrassed to say I was thrilled by this turn of events - but I was still petrified of what I was going to endure once I got out on stage.

The Fun Has Just Begun

Us "special Moms" all stood in the back as Dr. Phil talked about the topic.  One by one he said hello to us and one by one most of the Mom's were placed on the SAHM side.  I waited, smiled until it got to Jessica and then she said her now infamous quote, I was shocked.  I did take a step back, if you watch I turn to look up to the audience and I literally mouthed to my husband who was sitting there, "WHAT THE??"  His response ......he was laughed and cackled like a hyena - so glad he came. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dr. Phil Show "Guilty Moms"

Did Dr. Phil ask you those questions? Did you talk more?

Dr. Phil went to me first and said my name (edited out) and he asked about a post I wrote (edited out) regarding these stay at home mom's who said mean things to me.  I did not have any idea that I was first, all I knew from producer #2 was that I had to hit on the points about the blog when Dr. Phil spoke to me.  I said the quote, "Can't we all Get Along (channeling the great Rodney King)" - it was edited out.

Girl why did you not jump on her or throw your chair at her?

Had I know the topic and how Jessica felt I may have been more witty and more prepared for a bitch/slap girl on girl fight (doubtful but a strong possibility).  The truth is, I did not (and do not) want to be remembered as that beeotch on Dr. Phil who went crazy on a SAHM.  I know that Youtube is forever, and I know you can edit things to look one way....and I know someday my kids will not be so keen on all that I have said and done.  I also realize that I am not going to change her views and she sure won't change mine - so what is the point of throwing a few swear words and evil growls her way?  I do care what others think, and though I may be considered a bitch - I am not that big of a bitch.

What were you really thinking when you did that eye roll facial twitch thing?

I have no frickin' idea what I was thinking, heck they could have filmed that at a break or when I was begging everyone around me for a mint (I was).  I know I was shocked by Jessica's comments, I know I wanted to say something but only if I sounded articulate.  I now wish I said more - but I can live with how I was portrayed.

Was she for real?  What do you think about the show?

Having filmed it, seen the edited version and had sometime to think about the show I do have some thoughts.  I am surprised in this day and age that these polarized views are still out there and that we spend time arguing about them.  I was told by the producers that she was sincere and that she meant everything that was said - I don't know if that is true, but I am going to have to take it at face value.  I do know that her come backs and one liners were pretty crisp and either she is brilliant on her feet or she had an agenda for the show.  Either way if you check Dr. Phil's blog, The Huffington Post or lots of other forums on the web you will see Jessica got the conversation going, and going and going.  No one even knows my last name (which is fine) but they ALL know hers.

I do wish I had said more, I wish I had been a little more brave and shared my views and what I did for a living, but such is life.  I think I have a unique situation and something that other parents could learn from....but that will be my next talk show I get invited to be on.  Right?

My Claim To Fame - Dr. Phil Show October 14, 2009

October 11, 2009

So if you have nothing going on this Wednesday or you are totally into the Mommy Wars you may want to catch the episode of Dr. Phil.  It is titled Stay at Home Moms vs. Working Moms (dun dun dun dun) that was me doing scary ominous music.  And yes, I am a guest on the show, and I am hopefully not making an ass of myself...tune in for yourself to see.  I know what happened, I know what I said, I know what was said....and I know that editing can change reality.  I am going into this with both eyes wide open, and all fingers and toes crossed.  If you miss the first 10 or 15 minutes, you will miss me talking - after that I don't say much, but maybe a few eye rolls, nods and smiles.

I am sure you all recall I mentioned it about two months ago when I was flown to be on the show, blah blah - the red lipstick post?  Heather Armstrong?  Jessica?  Everyone I told about it kept asking if I actually went on air wearing the death/blood red lips.  The answer is NO.  I wiped it off even before the make-up artist could see me.  I was horrified - as I am sure I scared the be-jesus out of poor Heather Armstrong who I was speaking with at the ass crack of dawn.  The red lipstick was not filmed, I repeat I did not have the ghastly look of I suck the blood lipstick on when I met Dr. Phil....enough said.

I May Not Be Ready for Prime Time

So if you go to the Dr Phil site  you can see a brief synopsis of what the episode is about.  I am curious how they edit it, I am curious if I am edited out - I am hoping that I sound intelligent.  A few factoids and information about the episode:

• What happens on the phone with a TV Producer does not stay on the phone.  It is not like Vegas, whatever you say can and WILL be used against you....on the air.
• Dr. Phil is very tall and calm and NOTHING phases him.
• It is flipping freezing in a studio where a TV show is filmed and there is a live audience
• It is hard to talk when you heart is beating so hard you can hear it in your ears
• People say the darnedest things on TV
• Not all publicity is good....or it may not even turn into publicity
• Some people (okay women) I meet irritate the crap out of me on sight
• Some audience members are down right crazy
• Oprah Winfrey has the best looking audience ever.....no other show compares
• I find it hard to be witty and sound intelligent at the same time
• When on National Television it is a good idea to NOT be totally honest about your all your beliefs.
• Take notes when you tell someone something - they may ask you to repeat it
• What Dr. Phil says to you off the air is not the same as on the air
• Think twice before asking your husband to go with you to the Dr. Phil Show.
• Saying a prayer every night that I will not be some foot note on The Soup may or may not help

The Interview Process Begins

When being interviewed to be a guest on a show you may encounter many, many strange questions.    I don't know if that is the case with every producer, or every show but for me and getting me approved to be on the show, that sure was the case.  I had to jump through hoops, answer questions over and over and give an all over description of my looks (tattoos, piercings and facial hair to boot) for one interview.  Here is a brief time line of how the three days before they "booked me" for the show went early in August:

The Seed is Planted

Monday night I was checking email and I saw one from another contributor from the Silicon Valley Mom Blogs.  It asked if I had ever been attacked by Stay at Home Moms and if you had, Dr. Phil wanted to hear about it.  I emailed her back and said, "HELL YA!" (okay no I did not, but I said yes) and forwarded her the blog post I wrote about it happening to me once, twice, three times a lady.  She introduced me via email to a producer at the Dr. Phil Show and I went to bed.

Oh My What Have I Done?

Tuesday morning at the office I got a call from a producer (let's call him #1 shall we?) who had read my blog post (he loved it) and wanted to talk to me about what had happened.  He asked me numerous questions, wanted deets on scenarios and laughed at appropriate times.  He said that a senior producer may call me to get some more information.

Later that day, Producer #2 called, but she was more like a senior producer or #1 - but I am not sure.  She had me re-tell the stories I had told #1, she asked more questions.  I talked, I went on and on. She also laughed and took notes (I found out later).  She then told me that another producer would be calling for some background information on me.

The third producer called me and we gabbed for almost 40 minutes.  She was funny, she was totally enamored by my blog post...we were BFF's right away (she has not called since but whatever).  Anyway since we both went to SJSU and were both sorority girls we had an instant kismet - even though I was like 20 years older than her - but it was all good. 

She asked my age, my height, my religion, my political affiliation, my weight....yes she asked my weight.  I had to give a description of my hair, my face, basically I had to swear I looked like the photo I sent.  They asked if I was married (yes) , if we lived together (yes), if the kids lived with us (sometimes...no I meant YES), if I drank (no, but answer was yes), if I did drugs (no), was I ever arrested (no), in jail (um NO!), in a mental institute (does my house count - I mean NO!).  I had to tell if I was mentally ill, if I was stable, if I took any medications.  The best part was answering questions about.....my teeth.  The teeth questions were my favorites:

"Are your teeth crooked?"  no

"Are your teeth grey?"  no

"Are your teeth brown or chipped?" no

"Are your teeth crooked or cracked? Are they straight?" no and HELL NO  and YES - I had braces dammit! (starting to wonder who the guest are that Dr. Phil has on the show with all this talk of teeth)

"Are you missing teeth?"  What? Oh my god no.

"Are you sure?"  Yes I am sure!

At the end of the conversation #3 asks me if I have a burning question for Dr. Phil.  I think, I pause, I roll my eyes I am stuck.  I mean I don't have issues, I don't have problems I want discussed on National TV - I am racking my brain for what to say.  Seconds turn into minutes and I finally blurt out, " I would ask Dr. Phil what the hell I am supposed to say next time these Stay at Home Moms say these really mean things to me."  On the other end of the line I swear I heard a chuckle or a grunt - but by a MAN.  I ask # 3, "Um, excuse me what was that?"  She says, oh nothing....nothing.  Back to 20 (I mean 100) questions.

Producer #1 called later that day (if you are keeping track he was not the senior producer lady, but the first dude to call me).  I had to go over more stories, re-tell the comments made that I blogged about and then he asked if I knew any of the mean blogger comments I got on my original post.  I said no, but in my head I said yes.  He wanted to know if he could contact them.....um no he could not.  And I swore (lied) that I did not know them.  I discussed my business, my life, my situations with stay at home mom's and their opinions of me.

I May Need to Go Hyperventilate and Put My Head Between My Legs

The morning of day two starts with Producer #1 calls again, only to tell me (and I quote) I am fabulous....ah shucks.  We go over the same stories again, and again and then he asks for new ones.  I try but I am stuck - I swear I can not bitch about this any longer.  We talked for almost an hour.

I was asked if I had my kids in Day Care? (no).  Did I hate Stay at Home Moms? (no).  Did I hate working Moms who put their kids in daycare? (no).  Did I think Moms should work? (it is up to the individual).  Did I hate day care? (what? no). But why? (what?) I mean why you did not do it? (uh, just cause I did not do it does not mean I hate daycare.  My husband and I did not choose to do daycare).  So you hate Daycare? (WTF?  No, no, no just nacho cheese....I mean not my choice  - to each is own okay?). 

I should have started to figure out what or who they wanted me to portray - but I did not.  I repeated over and over that yes I worked, but only when they were in school and as an owner of a business I had that freedom.  I was trying to stay honest, trying to stay true to me but I was also being torn and did not want to come off as a hater of ANY Mom.  I mean who cares what you do - as long as it does not affect me or my children - we were all gooood.  Right? Wrong.

Hollywood Here I Come

At the end of the day I got a call from #3 and she was calling to let me know I had been chosen to be on the show.  She told me when I would be flying, where I would be picked up, who was with me, how much I could expect to get reimbursed and that she could not tell me anything else.  OH wait, she said one thing, "A semi-famous blogger may (or may not) be on the show also".  Ah......okay?  I mean hell I could be considered semi-famous, so could half the blogosphere.  When I asked if I could tell anyone on Facebook or Twitter she said........NO.

As soon as I got off the phone I contacted the original blogger from the Silicon Valley Mom Blogs and told her the news.  She emailed back, "OMG I think I am the stay at home Mom on the show".  Okay - that helped a little.  I then ran into my husbands office and asked begged him to come with.  He agreed and we arranged for him to fly out later the same day.

Either on Facebook or Twitter I got wind that Heather Armstrong was going to be on Dr. Phil too.  Coincidence?  No.  I had not read her blog in a long time and when I went over to Dooce and guess what I found - yep, she was on the show too.  And the show was not what I originally was lead.  It was the Mommy Wars, the SAHM vs. us WAHM or just us Working Moms - it was war baby.  I was so screwed.

Here We Go Again......really?

September 14, 2009.

In just two short months I will have been in business for 7 years, 7 painful , no I mean wonderful years.  I can notbelieve it has been that long - I don't mean that in a bad way.  Some days I actually do little air pump, laugh and giggle and thank my lucky stars I get to do this job....other days, you know tears, stomping and banging my head against the wall and I shake my fist in the sky and scream, "whhhhyyyyy?"

Been Around the Block

What I find so amazing, or shocking I guess is even though things change, laws come into affect, the industry changes, businesses close and others open - yet everything really does stay the same.  Reading that sentence back I realize I sound a bit crazy or new age, what I mean is history repeats itself. 

Not to brag - but I have been around a long time - long enough to remember who started the whole children's art phenom (Kelly Rightsell), the bedding designer that went on to super stardom (Wendy Bellisimo) and of course the one woman who created the original wall hanging (Shelly Kennedy) who has been copied, mimicked and the inspiration to most in the industry today. 

Yep, I sometimes sit back in my rocker, smoke my corn cob pipe and say, "Back in myday this is how it was....".  But, I digress, whether you think I am exaggerating or just plain being cocky - I have been around and seen it all for quite awhile.  No I am not the most successful, or the most talented and no I do not know everything. 

The Nature of the Beast

On that note of copying - I think y'all know how I feel about it.  Though it may be a discussion up for debate - it happens.  No one can deny that artists and designers don't "borrow" or outright copy from other artists.  Some support me when I bitch about it, others have called a baby and to suck it up.   Still it is what it is and it happens and I don't like it.  When you reach a certain amount of success others will copy you.  And I have found those that protest the most - usually are guilty of some form of copying.

It has happened to me, it has happened to friends, foes, competitors - it is a fact.  And it happens in other industries too, but that does not make it right.  I. am. not. a. fan. of. copying.  Never have been - never will.  To quote or mis-quote Ms. Kennedy, "Stay original - imitation is NOT the highest form of flattery."

Copying is One Thing - Being Fake is Just Creepy

So....speaking of Shelly and Drooz and her business AND her blog - she has a stalker.  A real live....no wait not real, sort of fake Negative Nancy or Debbie Downer that leaves her un-constructive comments and says downright mean things AND this commentor is a copy cat.  If you go back through the past year or so you can see that she has someone who likes to leave comments - but hide behind a fake name and fake blog.  I hate fake, and I can say that.  I am all out there - I chose to be out there. 

I also feel that if you are going to attack someone - show your face.  It is always so ironic to me that when I get mean comments or mean emails they come from a fake person - someone I can not reply to.   In this day and age it is very easy to attack behind a mask... I wrote a post about it last year....and I am sure you can guess - I was not happy.

Let It Be

Anyhoo - back to Shelly and her blog.  She took it a step further, and I love that.  She actually called this person out and told her to go away - stop reading her blog.  That takes guts, that takes balls, that takes some serious gumption.  But, Shelly being Shelly she had to throw in that super cute sign she made just to make it "drooz-like" (yep that one above I did not do it - she did).  Again, even when she is being a wee bit nasty and angry - that woman has some style.

So I am hoping a few things come from this post and Shelly's especially:

1. Stop Copying - no really just stop it.  We are all creative and when you see someone already did exactly what you sketched - move on, or do it another way.  Do not stomp your feet and say you came up with the idea first ( I have had this conversation with an artist or two - I swear).  Move on - they came to market first.  Does it suck? Yes. Can you do anything? No.

2. Be Real - it takes a real manwoman to show their face even when they disagree with what someone else wrote.  A coward hides behind a mask and refuses to show their true identity.  I delete comments from Anonymous, and I hope others will do the same.  You can disagree with me - I encourage you, but please show your face or I might make a snazzy fancy Go Away sign too.

3. Try to Love One Another - I want to just blurt out the Rodney King speech about just getting along right now.  Our industry is very small, everyone knows everyone or knows someone who knows someone - play nice.  There are some that have survived this Recession, others that have not and some that are just hanging on by a thread.  I think we can all learn something and just support each other instead of knocking each other down.

4. No Idea is Original- For a short time I tried writing a screenplay, my minor was in Radio Television & Film and I had this crazy story about my college years that I wanted to tell.  I read a lot at that time - and I studied the craft of writing and I learned one thing.  No idea is original - none.  Everyone has either done it once or twice - any artistic idea you or I have I am sure you can find a sketch of it.  Not to say you can not possibly do it better or different this time around - but just know almost everything has been done.

 

He's the One They Call Dr. Pheeel

August 22, 2009.

So, I have had some time to digest the events of the last week, I took notes for once.  If you read Dooce, or you follow her on Twitter you may have known she was a guest on a  show  filmed earlier this week.  This story has a point - though it may be long and filled with angst, trust me read on:

Heather was on the show, she tweeted during the show.  I. was. on. the. show. too.  Now I don't mean I was just in the audience (well I was sitting there, but wait, all the guests were) I was literally a guest on the show. 

How Did I Get Here?

The short answer of course is blogging, the long answer is blogging.  Since everyone keeps asking me, I am going with the long answer - see exhibit A:

A.  In March of 2008 I wrote a post for The Silicon Valley Mom Blogs.  I titled it "Dear SAHM's", in hindsight I should have titled it, "Dear a Few Select (not everyone) SAHM's at my children's School".    I made a few errors, and boo-boos's when posting.  It seems I may have linked to a SAHM that baked cookies and some thought I meant her, others read the post and assumed I was a SAHM hater.  Others then turned on me saying I should shut-up and just deal with.  I did get some support, I think I got a number of Mom's that had similar things said to them.  Anyways - the post got a bit of attention and everyone got all fired up.

Okay - so on August 13th, late at night (this year of course) I was checking email and I saw an email from a fellow writer for the Silicon Valley Mom Blogs.  The email said that the Dr. Phil Show was looking for Mother's for an upcoming show:

Do you feel guilty because your work schedule limits your availability to
your kids?  Do you spoil them to try to compensate for time you're not able
to spend with your children?  Do you take them on expensive vacations or
supply them with the newest gadgets to try to distract them from your
absence?  Do you pay for extracurricular activities that you wouldn't
normally because it will give them something to do while you're not there?

Are you a working mom and feel constantly judged and criticized by the stay
at home moms?  Do they make you feel guilty for being a working parent?  Do
they believe that moms should stay at home with their kids?  Have you had
enough of their snarky comments?  If this sounds like you and the moms in
your community and you want to discuss this with Dr. Phil, send us your
story!  Please attach a current photo of yourself and your family

National TV Baby!

I responded to the query - and highlighted the ones that fit me, just in case you did not KNOW.  I sort of knew the woman who sent it - we had traded amusing comments on our posts, tweeted each other and we were Facebook friends - and you know how tight FB friends are.  I sent my SAHM post and next thing you know I was introduced to the first Producer.  He called me once, twice, then three times.  I spoke to a producer who screened me, which is a whole other post, and asked a gazillion questions.  I spoke to another more senior producer who asked me more questions - sort of the same ones, yet in a different way.  Then the next day - same thing, more questions.  By early evening on Thursday, August 15th I had a plane ticket, a hotel room and I was going on The Dr. Phil Show!  Moral of the story - start blogging, like now, now wait I do have more:

So Smooth, I am So Smooth

When I got booked for the show the producers gave guests, or just me - who knows, maybe they heard about my clothing choices - a list of do's and don'ts for TV.  Some were not surprising, no stripes or large prints, others I had no idea about.  I was told to dress as if I were going to church or a job interview.  Damn!  That vision of "hot artist mom" for all my ex-boyfriends to see was shot down by a vision of me dressed in a suit, panty-hose and pumps.  And since I had not been on an interview in over 14 y ears I debated robbing my grandmother's closet, then thought about and went shopping.  Oh well - I did my best and came up with 4 suitable shirts/sweaters that looked presentable with black or white pants.  I was prepared I thought.

They flew me out the day before, so I had plenty of time to kill after I arrived, since the hotel served NO FOOD, WATER or ALCOHOL till 5:00 p.m.   One problem I had was that the shirts ranged from royal blue, steel blue to teal.  My lipstick of choice (and only one I had, that I have since lost)did not match - as my sister was so kind to inform me.  I did not have time to get a new lipstick before I left.   Thank God the hotel was connected to a Mall, so I went shopping - again.

Girls Just Want to Wear Make Up

The first girl I encountered at Sephora (in the lipstick department mind you) suggested and I quote, "Like uh maybe a nude gloss or light pink?"  The look on my face must have said it all because she quick like talked into her hidden make up phone she had hidden behind her black/orange and yellow hair and said, "Ya, hi we have a situation up here.  I need some lipstick advice pronto."

Soon enough a petite woman appeared in front of me.  She had olive skin and dark black hair.  Her make up was - uh, let's just say she had that goth look down pat.  She looked at me, she listened to my "clothing choices" and immediately knew the color.  She suggested a wine colored lipstick, a matte - and a lip liner.  She pulled it out and started coloring on her hand, over and over and over.  It looked like she was going to tattoo herself with the lipstick - but whatever, she was an expert.  She asked if I liked it, I said yes.  The color looked great. "Do you want to try it on?"   I said, "No I trust you."  Because you know the way it looks on her dark skin and my lips would be totally the same.

Big Mistake.

I May Be A Vampire

The morning of the episode filming a car came to pick me up.  I had Darin (yes he came too so he could witness me incase I ended up on Talk Soup) grab my "chosen outfit", our bags and I followed him out of the hotel.   Right before we left I put on my new fancy shmancy wine colored lipstick AND liner and ran out the door.  Did I forget to mention it was 6:15 a.m in the morning?  Ya, it was.  So as I am flying through the lobby I see Heather Armstrong and her baby sitting on a bench.  I knew it was her.  I went up and said hello, told her I loved her blog (which is true but I did not want to sound like a total crazy stalker).  I told her I was on the show too, we sort of chuckle over the topic and I was off.

I was feeling all smug and happy to have met her.  She was super nice, I usually do no thave the guts to say hello.  I am was no longer that nervous about the show.   So on the 10 minute drive over I checked Facebook, texted my friend, checked email - the usual stuff I do while driving (kidding Mom I would never do that), but now I was being driven. 

We arrived on the Paramount Studios lot, I was whisked inside by my handlers.  They gave me my own green room.  Although I was a bit disappointed it was not green - more like cream and tan - I had my own room!  And even though I did not have a director chair with my name on it - which Darin pointed out between fits of laughter.  I was told to make myself comfortable, stay here, have coffee.  Everyone was all, "la la - you look great Jamie.  Glad you are here Jamie, you are fantastic."   They were so nice and I felt fabulous.  As the handlers left, I took a look in my mirror, I turned and looked at the 6 x 6  foot mirror in MY room.

I.had.on.blood red.lipstick.blood red - NOT WINE.

I looked like I just drank the blood of a victim.  My lips were the brightest fricking red I had EVER seen. 

I had soooo arrived.

Summer Vacation & Then Some

July 27, 2009. August 9, 2009

"Hey Jamie, the Economy has your business way down, sales are 1/2 of what they were a year ago and you let go some employees, which means you are doing a lot of jobs you did not used to do.  What are you going to do now?"

"I'm going went to Disneyland!"

Cue the song, "When you wish upon a star....."  Fade out to Jamie and her family riding off happily ever after on Cinderella's carriage.  Jamie (naturally) will be wearing a princess gown and or crown, waving her princess wand to the crowd.  Ya, right....but I did get to go to Disneyland!

Not that we did not have a great time but Disneyland in the middle of summer is hot - which I knew, yes but I was hoping it was not thathot.  It was a great way to let loose, act like a child and um, well - let's just say I am really happy that I keep good care of my teeth and body and that I have some edumacation.  If just one more lady (or man) came towards me in their scooter and tried to pretend they did not notice almost running me and my children over I was going to go rambo on their ass ahem....not really - but it was bad.

Everybody Needs a Break

Yep that's right, even in the worst Economy we have seen in years, or my adult lifetime (that I owned a business that is) we scraped our money together and went to Disneyland.  We had not been in 4 years, and I amwas excited.  We closed down JPD for a week...no worries, we worked the weekend we get back to ensure everything ships on time, and we still ship when I am out of town (JPD is sort of like the happiest place on earth, I just sprinkle a little pixie dust around and magically everything falls in to place - snort!).  Pssst....our shipping clerk and the woman that does our ribbons is not going on vacation with us - that is our pixie dust that keeps us afloat.  Me loves them two people something awful.

I have not blogged in a while - a long while.  No apology.  Just a fact.  I have actually been enjoying the summer and reading almost anything I could get my hands on.  Twilight. Check. Jen Lancaster. Check. Julie & Julia. Check. Better Home & Garden, Sunset Magazine, Pottery Barn.Check, Check and well - just browsing. 

It is funny my business books and my Entrepreneur Magazines have been stacking up, but I don't really care.  We are coming up on year seven this November and truth be told I am not really in to reading anything about people in business.  It has made wonder if the thrill is gone?  I know it is not because I know everything there is to know about running a business - I am just not wanting to read about business....Maybe I will again, I am sure I will - but it is like, "Why bother?"

Working on....Everything

• I started this JPD Facebook Fan Page  a few weeks, or months ago - I can't keep track.  I am not one to peddle it to all my friends quite yet, but I will once I get a handle on it and fix it up.

• Designing a new website.  It has been I think 5 years since we had this done - maybe longer.  Last time we had a friend design it - now I am helping out.  We need to do it, and it is not my strong suit at all - Graphic Design....not so much.

• It's Christmas time again.  I need to work on Holiday Products soon....

• My kids had no camps, nothing this summer.  We shuffled them around between my husband, my parents and many playdates.  It was actually really nice and relaxing and we slept in more times that not.

Predicting the Future of the Economy?

So, I don't think that I am an Economist or a person that follows the stock market and predicts trends - I mean I positive I don't know how to do either of these things.  However, something is happening at that has everyone (all 7 of us...or 8 if you count my husband, wait 10 woo hoo my kids worked today also) is starting to look up.  Something is in the air or the money is starting to flow again.

And it Always Comes Back to Name Tiles

Seven years ago almost to-the-day (my daughter just turned seven) I came up with the first Name Tiles for her room...I know you have heard the storybefore.  Blah, Blah our flagship product - nothing like it before, themes ceramic, personalizing a child's room.  Any hoo, in the last two years our sales for this particular product have started to slip.  And they really started slipping this year. 

In a normal year and with hundreds of channels we would sell anywhere from 100,200 even 300 a week during the Holiday Months - Name Tiles that is.  Hundreds of Name Tiles sold a week.  This year - 26, 14 or the worst week ever 7 Name Tiles sold in a week after the first of the year.

Some people might keep this information close to the vest, not me.  I have no problem admitting that our sales have been down.  Some products have spiked, others not so much. I am more proud that we are still in business and seem to have weathered the worst of the Economy-Recession-Storm.  Anyhoo....for about a year and a half we have noticed Name Tiles slipping, and slipping alot.  Until two weeks ago.

We picked up a new store in the midwest and we had a big week.....well a big week for this Economy.  We sold 99 Name Tiles in one week, all of a sudden sales were up.  This week I think we were in the 70's.  Our Birth Tiles and Name Plaques have stayed steady week after week - not great, but steady sales.  The thing with the Name Tiles that makes this so relative is that they are our most expensive product. 

The Name Tiles retail for $13.00 a letter, and we have a minimum of 3 letters.....they are an extravagant decoration for your child's room.  Not crazy pained mural wall hanging for thousands of dollars crazy, but still our high end product.

This may be a fluke, this may turn right back around, wait or go bad next week - but for now I am taking it as a sign.  Three weeks in a row of heavier Name Tiles sales....I think I may be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Also, I am sort of (okay really) proud of the fact that we have been able to survive on so little - I mean we are surviving this, and I am hoping we will come out of it leaner, meaner and a smarter business.  And if that does not happen - I can always sell tile on the side of the road thing. Right?  I am right? I hope....

Good Things Do Happen in a Bad Economy

July 13, 2009

So, I am not going to apologize for not blogging, or feel guilty for not being consistent with my blogs like I used to.  I used to wake up in the middle of the night and think " I MUST BLOG", now....not so much.  It is what it is, I am sure when things pick up I will blog more.  I was reading my new BFF's blog tonight (okay she does not know it yet, but I love her books to death and I laugh out loud and snort when I read them) and she said the same thing. 

I am not sorry (nor is she) - just been busy, and in her defense she was on a book tour, me not so much, but if you had to deal with two school age children that are not in camp - you may be driven to do crazy things too.   

Also, this thang known as "The Recession of 2009" seems to be going strong - and I do not see an end anytime soon.  So, for now I am wearing all those hats I used to not wear - in other words, I am doing the dirty jobs for my company.  At least the office is sort of clean AND every damn drawer and closet in my home too.... I am just saying - when the going gets tough Jamie gets cleanin'.

New Products for 2009

We (me) released 40 new products yesterday a week ago.  We released them to our channels and on our site.  There are some new Name Plaques, some new Birth Certificates and two new products.  I am going to address one new product now (the other one, the story is not so uh detailed).  One product that came out has been under consideration for over three years, wait maybe more like four years now that I think about it.  I swear, time flies when you are having.......um, well running a business.  I don't know actually and my brain hurts but the story goes a little something like this:

The History of Our Dinner Dishes

When I started working with Vicki Bodwell of the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company and she and I would have these brain storming sessions every few months.  It was usually around the time she was going to put out a catalog.  One spring she asked if I could do plates.  I searched and searched, and tried to get big white plates - but I could not.  I could only get porcelain plates at the time.  I could have gone back to hand-painting  and getting a kiln and the whole thing, but y' all know how I feel about that.  I just figured that it was a lost cause and something I would never be able to do.

London Calling

Then along came London Edwards, I am sure you all recall that fateful email I got from her.  My true soul mate (as a friend, as an entrepreneurial friend - sheesh!).   Her and I clicked immediately and set the internet on fire with our emails back and forth, texting on Instant Messenger, the long distance calls and even a few meetings in person.  The more we talked the more we decided we wanted to work together - we just could not figure out how.  We hashed out a number of different scenarios, yet always coming up without a way to do it.  We even started discussing the big white 10 inch plates again, so I did more research.

This time I got a little farther and was able to figure out how to do it and where to get supplies.  However, the cost was huge, the investment was huge and the unknown of it not working - too much to lose.  We shelved the idea and once again, I let it go.

There Goes The Economy

Now, this past Fall when my sales stopped, or more like slowed down to a snail's pace I got an idea.  I decided that I would try ONE MORE TIME to see if I could do these plates I so wanted to do.  I brainstormed, I talked to London (of course) , I googled, I called, I emailed - I at least had something to do.  Well, it's amazing how willing people are to give you a 'deal' when their business is slow, bad or worst case gone.*

* (on a side note)I have also found that people that used to be jerks in my industry - are really nice these days.  I mean like really nice.  My Fed Ex driver comes by all the time, just to talk.  My mailman er, woman stops, talks asks if there is anything I need.  Even some of my most difficult accounts are super sweet and thankful when we do a favor.  All in all at least everyone has the same mentality of 'we are in this together'. 

Any hoo - sorry got off topic.  So not only was it affordable but making these plates was going to happen.  And happen it did.  We got the plates, we started designing and we go them to market.  Okay, maybe it was not that easy, but we did make it happen and we are making them and I sort of think I kick ass right about now.....well, okay not so much kick ass, but excited.  I really, really have tried to figure out to make these for ages (with the help of course with my trusty sidekick). 

A New Kind of Plate - Dinner Dishes

So, I have designed 24 new Dinner Dishes.  The difference is our plates are only $40.00 and we will ship them in 3-5 business days, I gurantee it.  As for designs though, I was very careful and very specific with my designs, wanting to make them look like my designs and my creations.  I have to say it is very hard to design in a circle, after always working in squares and rectangles.  Also, when you have seen designs out there for years and you are trying to come up with new ones, you have to go to all kinds of resources for inspiration - to make sure you do not copy some other companies design.  It was a good exercise for me though, good to cross my t's and make sure I was not getting too close to any other designs.  It also took  way longer than I ever imagined.  The easy route would have been to copy and move on....but I don't play that way.  I never have and I never will.

It Takes Discipline

I compare the copying to the easy way out, the road that is so easily traveled, especially like when disciplining children.  It was like when my children were babies and I made them cry it out, or I yanked them out of Home Depot when they had a tantrum.  I remember friend's stating it was just too hard, too painful and they could not bare to see their little one cry.  Ya, well guess what?  My mother always said, "If you let your children break your rules as a toddler they will break your hearts as a teenager."  Not sure if she stole that quote, or if she made it up herself - but it has helped me take the high road, the hard way with my kids.  I take that quote with my business also.  I am not ever taking that easy road.....copying is for um, well I can't say that word, it is a bad word - but you get my drift right?

Apology-spology

So, even though this is not a real apology, though I do feel bad for not blogging like used to.  Truth though is I miss the connection with all the other readers and bloggers - that I could use right about now.  I am afraid to even check my stats for fear of crying and curling up in a ball when I know the numbers.  But, I am okay with that - I may lose a few hundred (er thousand) readers but my business has to survive - and if doing everything keeps it going, so be it. 

And, truth be told, it has sort of been nice to live in the moment this past 6 months with my kids.  True - they are young for once, and even if I don't grow the business as fast as I once wanted - I am still here.  And people I ain't going NO WHERE (except for maybe an English class or two, my writing has gotten all slang and all)! 

And the Fun Never Ends....

June 24, 2009. I mean June 30, 2009.

I hope I got the date right, to be honest I have no idea what day or even month it is.  The last few months have been a blur and I have been more caught up in school than work.  After a much needed vacation last two weeks ago I am sort of back in the swing of things.  Except for the fact that I lost my camera in Tahoe, and I need to start exercising like pretty fast.....no really I do.

And worst case scenario - email is gone, dead.

So, I noticed last week that I was getting no emails, I mean not even SPAM emails offering to sell me pharmaceutical drugs or some enlargement thing I did not want.  My friend said - that is good, it is quiet....it was too quiet if you asked me.  Then my husband forwarded me some emails, I never got them.  He sent them again - nothing.  Yesterday we figured it out..........

When It Rains....It Pours

There is a problem with the name-to-address mapping with the new ISP.  They did not set up the address mapping.  In plain english, the mail servers of today will not respond to mail from a server they can't find the name of.  So you sending me an email to jamie@jamiespnd.com - ya good luck with that.  It is not working.....did you hear me?  I am um, well bummed?  Frustrated? I am in shock....cause after my last post you saw all that I had been through.....right?

Ah well, at the very least things are slow and I am hoping no one is looking for me.  My husband keeps saying I probably missed that email from Oprah asking me to be on her show, that guy cracks himself up.  I just feel bad and hope people don't think I have been rude.  Or worse, thinking I went out of business....now the word frustrated does not seem to be good enough, eh?

800 Number Not So Much

As I am fighting with my email company I get like three, yes three phone calls....from people asking IF I am still in business.  Um, yes I am, why do you ask.  OH the 800 number was disconnected.  Uh......that was like 9 months ago - but okay I get it.  I try to explain it was a cost cutting expense and no one really used it....all three companies swear they did (of course).  My response was sort of like - well not on a regular basis, so we got rid of it.  But I swear we are still here.  And while I am on the phone I am in the process of sending an email to all my accounts stating the whole email problem......not the best image, but I was trying.

That Was Then, This is Now

So, now it is all fixed and I am getting the spams, the emails - all in uh let's say 4 times.  Yes - I get every email 4 times that is - oh well, at least I am getting them.  Our orders email is all fixed.  I am  now able to focus on the new products I have been working on for months, and I mean months.*

*Sorry no photos with this post, as I mentioned earlier - I have no camera and I can not put pictures up.  Don't get me started, I hope to have a new camera soon - no really, I can not live without it.

Yes it Really Was That Bad

June 9, 2009

So have you ever been in the middle of something and you keep thinking, it can not get worse, it can not get worse?  You know mumbling to yourself as you rock back and forth and contemplate throwing things at the wall?  Then you carefully pick yourselff off the ground, wipe off the tears and decide it is going to be okay.  Ya, well what if that keeps happening?  What if it keeps getting worse, and worse, and that guy Murphy with the whole laws and everything, what if you can actually start to think that maybe he was on to something?  

Well that has been the last oh I don't know the last 10, 11 or 12 days for me.  Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - and I mean everything.....and I am totally aware of the fact that this post may read like an episode of Three's Company.  This my friends is what running a company is really like:

I made some quick notes about what then proceeded to go wrong.

Thursday May 28  - It Will All Be Alright

Printer that we use to make tile broke, so broke that after 4 hours of trouble shooting we had to call the company that sells them and order a new one.  I had them over night priority a new printer.  I smugly smiled and thought to myself that I had just solved our big problem.....brilliant.

We still had 50 tiles to make for the Wall Art Tile Fundraiser and we had the work for the week - but it would all be okay, I was a Rock Star.....so I thought.

Friday May 29 - It is Bad, But I can Handle It

Printer arrived.....it was the wrong printer.  I call up the company, we go back and forth over the fact that they sent the wrong printer and they ASSUMED some things.  My husband has to call them and discuss so we can get the right printer.  Calls, emails - then I have to make a decision about whether or not to have the new one overnighted.....I go with overnighting the printer - pay the money we need that printer.

I rushed to my kid's school to do an Art Game show for my son's class - that would be 60 4th graders to keep entertained with questions and factoids about art, thank you very much. Then I rushed across campus to see my daughter's play, making it with only seconds to spare. 

Saturday May 30 - Oh and it Gets Worse

I contacted Fed Ex, they said that the printer should arrive by 10:30 a.m.  My husband and father went to get the supplies for the Tile Fundraiser. We had to make frames and paint them for 445 tiles.....and as they showed up at the office the Fed Ex truck was leaving.  He left a note though that said he would be back Monday....MONDAY!  So, I got on the phone called them and proceeded to fight with them about our overnight payment....ya he came back,  and they brought back the printer.

Darin then proceeded to spend 4 hours trying to get it to work, it did not work.  So he gave up on the printer and he built the frames.  My committee of volunteers to help us paint - turned into just one friend.  We basically crawled around on the floor caulking the frames (and making all kinds of Cock jokes) and then painted the frames.  This took all frickin' day.....

My parents were kind enough to let my kids spend the night at their house, so we could just get up and start working again the next day.  Ya, well my daughter proceeded to wake up in the middle of the night and projectile vomit all over the wall, the closet doors, the carpet, the sheets and the bedspread that can only be dry cleaned.....good times.

Sunday May 31 - More problems, Really?  It Can't Get Worse

My mom took Abby to a birthday party for me and they were an hour early (of course)  I gave her the wrong time.  My Dad and Darin started to put the tiles down, with Mastic, they ran out (of course) and had to rush to the store before it closed to get more.

My beloved blackberry broke - dead, gone.  I had no phone, no email - nothing.

Monday June 1 - Nothing Surprises Me It Got Worse

We got on the phone with the company that sold us the printer and told them it was not working and we basically had to order a new part........overnighted please priority.  UPS this time, why?  I don't know but all will be solved tomorrow.

I got an email from a parent at school about a recent firing of the most popular 5th grade teacher at our school.  I, along with a long list of parents was asked to write a letter on his behalf to the Superintendant....okay I did it.  OH ya she then proceeded to forward my email to our principal.....the one who fired him.  Wonderful!

We went to get a new blackberry and it took an hour and a 1/2 to get one.  Yep - done wrong, the guy who sold it to us was um an idiot.  The service was wrong.  SO I had a new blackberry that did not do me any good.....wonderful!

After a long day we took Abby to dinner since Grant was at a friends house.  She proceeded to start crying hysterically after we sat down - she was the only one in her class who did not get to go to the Art & Wine Festival this past weekend.  Did I mention hysterical?  It was lovely.  We went to pick up my son - he was not there, we drove back home....then got a call they were on there way so we went I went BACK to get him.

Tuesday June 2 - OMG You Have Got to Be Kidding Me!

The part did not get here on time, let me repeat that - the special cartridge that was to be overnighted....it did not arrive.  It seems the wonderful people at UPS never got it on the truck in time.  No cartridge, no printer working - no tiles.  Did I forget to mention that the tiles are getting grouted tomorrow morning?  No?  Oh well they were - they are getting hung Thursday at my kid's school and the assembly is on Friday - yes Friday! 

I make a last ditch plea/cry to our supplier here in Northern California and beg them to print the last 50 images for them.  They agree to it, I saved all the files on to CD's, and my wonderful Mother agreed to go and deliver the CD, AND wait for them to be printed.  That took oh about 3 hours.  Then my husband and father went to the office and made the tiles and used the mastic - got them ready to go....problem solved!  I was so happy....

Darin called - one tile was missing.  One tile.  One image did not get made.........

Wednesday June 3 - Are We Done with the Bad News?   Nope.....

I did not get the right grout....my friend's husband who was kind enough to come over and grout the tile....for FREE, but he had to go get more first.  I then had to drive to the supplier's business and get the one missing piece of art.  When I got back the printer cartridge had arrived and after hours of screwing with it troubleshooting my Dad got it to work.  He proceeded to start making the tile, my husband went BACK to the office to help him.  The printed and pressed the work for the week, my tiles that the parents ordered for home (oh about 150) and all looked good.  The last board was going to be grouted tomorrow and then hung.  Problem solved right?

We got an email that our shipping clerk had the flu and could not ship tomorrow.  Luckily we got a replacement and all was gonna be a-okay.

Thursday June 4 - Oh Jesus Mary and Joseph I Pray this is a good Day

We are in the middle of our morning-rush-get the kids to school-why did you not brush your teeth- you are going to be late day when I got a call.  The principal from my kids school wants to know where the tile are?  Uh, my reply was that I was to call Facilities to hang the tile when I got there and it is like 8:00 a.m in the morning and I am getting my kids ready for school.  Oh, well he said Facilities wants to hang the tiles NOW.  Okay, um I have to go to the office, get dressed, call the people who were delivering..........I did not have much time.

We delivered 16 of the 17 boards.....and then stalled as my friend's husband (my most favorite person on the planet at this point) grouted the last board.  The tiles were hung, we quickly covered them so that they could be a surprise for the assembly on Friday.....and then I had to to run, I mean hobble on my crutches (yes I am going on week 3) to play #2, my son's Gold Rush Play.

I checked the tiles, all looked good.  I got the kids from school, left them with my husband and went into the office, project a success and I was done.

HOLY MOTHER OF..........someone get me a paper bag I am hyperventilating....anyone?

All of the new tiles done with the NEW printer, ya the colors are off, I mean way off.  The light blue is green, the turquoise is black...........OH NO!!!  Most the tiles are ruined.  Almost 80% of the wall art tiles for home are ruined (the parents could order a copy of the tile on the wall to have at home).  I um, sort of freaked out at that point.

I did get the company on the phone and they helped me to fix the problem.  But we had in the meantime run out of tile.  Yep, out of tile.  I really lost it.  I had to get more tile and fast.

Friday June 5 - The Big Day.....and the Bad Good News Keeps Coming

I got to school in time for the unveiling, and the students were thrilled, the teachers were thrilled.  Everyone was super happy.  Then came recess.......and I started getting some questions and concerns.  What started with one missing tile quickly turned into 15 missing tiles of students that were convinced their parents purchased tiles and they were not on the wall.

I took down names, and tried to stay calm.  Inside my head I was screaming but I smiled calmly and told them we would take care of it.  And, as we looked at the paperwork and the accounting we realized that um 13 of the 15 missing tiles were students who did NOT purchase them.  Okay, emergency averted.  Wait - what?  We still could not find 2 tiles?  I was pretty upset, but heck we could fix it, and uh what you say 2 out 445 tiles - not bad statistics.

I took the kids to the office and was ready to call it a day.  I figured I did not have much work to do.....uh wrong.  Ahhhhh well our "replacement shipping clerk" came and went and missed a few a lot of orders.  So I had to do them.  I also had to go and look at the 150 tiles and determine which were good and which were bad.  After many hours of work the tiles were all re-done and it looked good........we were at the office till well past 9:00 p.m.

Saturday June 6 & Sunday June 7th Everyting Gonna Be Alright!

We had soccer games and pretty much slept in.  We were beat.  My wonderful husband fixed my blackberry and we were able to think that maybe it would all be okay.

Monday June 7 - Today is a New Day, it is all good.........right?

I went in today to print the labels for our fundraiser tiles that were going home with the students.  Ya.......the Xerox printer broke.  Yep.  The tray was out of whack or something and after an hour on the phone it was determined that I needed a new tray.  Luckily the office complex we are in has like 34 printer places - so I was able to fix the problem.

And, after looking at the tiles at my kids' school I found the two "missing" tiles.  Phew.....

Later this afternoon I got a call from the office.  A student that ordered a tile could not find their tile on the wall and they were pissed.........okay, tomorrow is a new day.  Right?  I hate to say it but, it can't be this bad every day......right?

What I Do Does Matter to My Children....That is All That Matters

May 31, 2009

Sheesh, this has been a long year, wait that is not what I mean, it is not even half way over.  What I mean is this school yearhas been looooong.  I am not the only one at my little school that thinks this way - it has been an interesting year to say the least.  When we get out of school and the dust has settled, and I am no longer living in it, I will go into it....in great detail possibly.  Many will not believe the storm I have weathered.....living in my own little Harper Valley PTA if you will. 

Wake me When the Economy Picks Up

The whole year has not been bad, it has just not been a great year with JPD, but like I said not even half way over.  Even, with the Economy pretty much sucking for those of us in retail - it is going okay.  People ask me all the time, "How is business?"  My answer is - slow.  It has been the same answer for, oh let's see the past eight months. 

I know that not everyone is slow - but I am.  And I am fine with it.  Let's face it, in this blog I am also willing to be honest....and not everyone is.  I just don't have the time to put a spin on it.  Things are slower for everyone I am pretty sure, I just can't prove it.  I am not dumb enough to think that this will last forever, may be a slower than usual summer, but I do believe that this too shall pass........right? 

However, there is a bright spot for me this year.  I am waiting to go over our numbers for May because we sort of hit it out of the park in May.  We had our huge sale of Princess Plates to a certain someone in Tinsel Town, and of course our Tile Fundraiser we did for my children's school. 

My children's school also benefited from the slow economy, as I was able to take on more at school.  I spent time volunteering in my children's classes, helping with school functions and pretty much doing anything and everything that was asked of me.  And as my husband will tell you, they took complete advantage of the situation. 

Took on Way Too Many Projects

I am thinking this is not an unusual problem for many Mom's to have, especially working Mom's.  I took on too much this past year......and if you tell my husband that I admitted this I may have to come kill you.  Keep it on the down low k?  I feel I spent more time on campus than I did at work, probably too much time on campus.  Just so you can see what I am talking about, here are a few things what I have taken on this past school year:

• Room Mom for daughter's 1st grade class
• Art in Action Teacher  for 60 (yes 60) 4th graders
• Chair for Reflections (a PTA art contest thing for entire school)
• Joined a fund raising committee and designed t-shirts, plus wrote skit for assembly
• Regularly organizing a weekly, monthly cocktail party for the Mom's from our school
• Took the 60 4th graders art and  put it on tiles for the holidays
• Got 60 4th grader's art ready for Art Show and did special End of Year Game Show
• Made special tile for students to give baby gorilla at SF Zoo
• Took my daughter's 20 1st graders art and put it on tile for Mother's Day
• Agreed to help make decorations for 8th grade graduation, that consisted of designing a San Francisco skyline for the entire ball room, painting a 5 ft round moon and um I DON"T EVEN HAVE AN EIGHTH GRADER! 
• Chaired a Wall Art Tile Project for our school AND owned company that did the project  that consisted of; forming a committee, making flyers, brochures, planning an assembly, making posters, an art day for 620 students to design their tile, getting 444 tiles onto boards and grouted for display in the lunch court and another assembly on top of that to unveil the tiles..........anyone else exhausted?

Yep, the last one just about sent me over the edge....oh wait did I forget to mention that I sort of kind of tripped 2 weeks ago?  Ya, I was just going out the back  door and the stair jumped out and tripped me, I rolled my ankle, cut up my shin and killed my prized 20 pound palm tree plant that was in a super cute black pot?  Ya, so if you can imagine the last two weeks have been spent on crutches.....yes crutches....I hate crutches - you know why I am a tad bit overwhelmed.  I am even starting to resent those of you out there with two perfectly good working legs.  I so wish I could walk, talk and carry things at the same time! 

Not Another Pity Party Jamie?

After many tears this past year and realizing that I could not do it all, I started to feel real sorry for myself last week.  I had a mountain of work to do for my real  job business and I had another pile of responsibilities for things I had volunteered for.  Don't get me wrong - all me, all my fault and all totally avoidable.  No one signed me up for the company I started, the kids I had or the many numerous committees I decided to join chair this past year.  I have come to the conclusion once again that I can not do it all, I mean I can not do it all well.  Next year, I have to leave something for others to do.

Going Somewhere I Have Never Gone

Which brings me to last Thursday night and what happened to me.  At our school we have something called Founder's Day.  This is a big event in our school's gymnasium with anyone and everyone that wants to attend.  The PTA swears in and votes for the next year's officers, the 5th graders have a bake sale to raise money for......something, I refuse to find out till I have a 5th grader.  A couple of classes are asked to perform 2 songs.  Then, the PTA  gives out awards to teachers, staff and parents that have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  I have never (up until last week) attended Founder's Day.  To be honest it sounded dreadfully boring and I had no reason to attend.

After sitting through 8 songs by a 1st and a 3rd grade class (it was supposed to be 2 but I am guessing Math is not a subject either teacher excels in) they started handing out awards.  And I must mention that after my crutches fell over and the ENTIRE audience turned around to look at me.........I won an award.  I did!  I did not volunteer for this accolade, I could care less about some certificate in a frame.  I did not really want to gimp my way up to the podium to accept it.  I was humbled, I was honored, but again NOT why I volunteered.  Now, my children had a different take on the night.......

Appreciation in My Children's Eyes

When my friend started describing me and listing the crazy things I volunteered for the things I had done and describing me without using my name, my daughter's face lit up.  Her eyes got big, she turned to me with the biggest smile on her face and she said, "That's you, it's you Mommy!"  To my right my son sat.  He started laughing, looked up to me and said, "I knew it!  I knew you would get an award!"

As I slowly made it up to the stage my two biggest fans sat and clapped, and clapped and clapped.  They were so proud, they were so happy for me.  And they are the reason I do, or did all that I did this year.  I have no regrets.  I am happy that it meant so much to them...........I got more pleasure out of those two comments from them than anything I have done this year. 

My business will be here when they grow up and don't need me at school.   All of the headaches I got and crazy political garbage I had to deal with will be long forgotten.  These years that they need me at school, want me at school will be also be long gone.  But the memories will not.  I will remember that I was there for them when they needed me, but more importantly they will remember I was there.

Are we on a Break?

May 12, 2009

I need to make a call.  I have been avoiding this for some time now.  Hold on.

Ring, ring.....oh wait is it not more like...."the theme song from American Idol" - yes the cell phone is ringing.....

"Hi JPD Mom Blog, it's me Jamie.  We need to talk."

"You probably have noticed I have not been around as much....and my posts are getting fewer and fewer....wait, wait don't cry, let me explain...."

Blame it on the Al-Al Alcohol, Uh the Economy

  "I wish it had not come to this, I mean I really wish we were on better terms, I feel though that a quick call to you is the best way to get my feelings across.  First, let me say how sorry I am for being so out of touch, I mean it is not like it is the first time I have neglected you.  I feel bad for ignoring you and not giving you the attention you deserve.  I know, I know you should be a priority, but sadly other parts of my life have had to take front stage."

"Now don't go and take it personally, it's not you - it's me.  Now wait, don't cry, it's not that my blog is not important, really I mean it.  It is just that when my husband is gone week after week on  business trips my um, my time and my mind is in another place.  I am not putting  you down, and I do not think any less of you.  I mean you are important to me.....I sometimes  just do not have the time to give you what you deserve.  Does that make sense?"

The Other Woman, Er, the Other Blog

"What?  What did you say?  How dare you throw the other blog in my face!  Silicon Valley Mom Blog is not, do not use that word with me!  You are just jealous!  That is different......YES it is .  I have a commitment, I signed a contract.  Oh, gosh the water works, here we go again.  The content is very different, that is more Mommy blog stuff - this blog is about my company, the up's and the downs."

"I swear sometimes it is like talking to my i-pod you are not LISTENING!  What?  I am sorry, I will stop yelling....okay now calm down, calm down.  I never said the other blog meant more to me....no I did NOT...okay, not yelling, not yelling anymore."

A Light At the End of the Tunnel, Um the Summer?

Seriously in my defense I have been juggling a lot lately.  No, no you are right I have started to see the Economy start to turn around.  Not a huge turn but it has started to pick up again at JPD, and it started the middle of April.  I am not sure what everyone else said about consumer spending, our weeks are slowly picking up.  We are noticing that each week the sales are up....not up to what we are used to, but beggars can not be choosers.  As much as I love blogging, I sort of have needed to be pro-active on the business front and make sure that the work is done and that we survive this slump.  I am not giving up on you, just you do not make me any money right now, so I need to focus on places that do.  OH, come on don't cry again.....please.

Good Sales, Even if They were a Rush Order

Which brings me to an exciting order we had last week.  I am not sure if you heard, but we had anorder for 52, actually 62 plates for a party.  A special princess plate that was given out as a party favor - it was a huge undertaking to get the plates made and packaged by Thursday to ensure a Monday delivery.  But do you know what?  We (me) did it!  We got a huge order out and that is what I have to do these days - I even did the shipping, since it was not our regular shipping day.  Not so say I do not miss blogging, but I have to make money first.  Not sure who will be attending this birthday party, but I am putting my money on that Suri Cruise and maybe Brad Pitt's little girl....I can wish right?

Wall Art Tile Fundraiser Project

Truth is a lot of my time this Spring has been spent working on a Fundraiser project and it really has taken a lot of my time.   Not only have I been the chair for it, but I have been the company doing all the work for the project.  It has been a good thing - we are taking the children's original drawings and putting them on tile.  The tiles were sold as a fundraiser, then we are going to make the tiles, grout them onto plywood and hang them in the lunch court.  All in all it was a huge success....what is wrong? I thought you would be happy for me.  Sheesh....I did this for us, for you - so that we could spend more time together!  I had to do something when business was slow.....I hear you sniffling, are you crying again?  Allergies?  Right....

New Products.....Soon

Also, I have been working on a double secret project....okay not that secret.  I do have two new products that I was hoping to release in March - but could not get it together.  I have also been working on some exclusive designs that I still need to finish....which brings me back to not having time for you.  It won't be like this forever, I promise - I am just busy now....I need kinda my space.

Okay well I hate to leave it like this, with you all crying and everything.  I will um, I will call you okay?  It's not over, I swear.  I just can't give you the commitment you want right now, I can't really be with you every day or anything, maybe every week I will check in - I need to um, focus on me now.  K?

Hey I am going to Blogher did I tell you that?  I am.....so we can uh hang out then?  We can uh, you know - it will be like old times okay?  Okay?  Oh, gosh please stop crying already.....

I will call you in a few days. I gotta go my husband will be home soon from his trip and I really crave some conversation with a um, human....oh gosh the crying again?  Gotta go....By-eee.

Right Start It's Over

Dear Right Start,

I am breaking up with you.  This time I mean it - it is really over between us.

I want you to stop sending me these cute newsletters and emails telling me about the sales you are having.  Trust me I know about the sales, I also know that, being one of your re-sellers, none of your re-sellers are getting paid for these so-called sales. 

I wonder if your customers realize that every sale you make, you do NOT pay us, I am always wondering that.  And also, stop following me on Twitter - I mean you have got to be kidding me.  I think that is sort of mean and cruel - after all you have done to me, you follow me?  And the letters, the letters I get in the mail from your attorneys, as if I did something wrong.  Enough Already!  I know I am not getting paid, I know you are bankrupt.....believe me I KNOW!  Stop tricking me, I am forever hopeful when I see another official letter from the Bankruptcy court....I know I should not be hopeful, but I am.

What Might Have Been

I am not one to be cruel, or to be mean spirited but I must mention this - you came and  courted me!  You came after me, your buyer called one day and begged asked me to be in your catalog.  And if memory serves me correct YOU came after me once before, a long, long time ago.  Your buyers approached me at the ABC Kids Expo, once again wanting to carry my products.  At the time you  had no personalization, not much of a website and your nursery decor' was limited.  Don't get me wrong you had me at;  "The Right Start is in your booth", but I had to wait till the time was right.

Which brings me back to last Spring when my accountant took the fatal call from your buyer.  The one that sent me rushing into the office without any make-up on.  You had me all a flutter and excited.  I mean you swept me off my feet this last time, with talk of multiple stores, catalogs and your hundreds of thousands of customers.  I was giddy with the possibility of this partnership.  Who cares if you only took two of our Name Plaques and Two Birth Certificates. The numbers you threw out there - had me seeing green.

Never did I think that you would betray me like you did, even though I had known you went bankrupt before.  Not even when you had me spend hundreds of dollars on bar codes for my products ( but the joke is on you, since I drop-shipped the products you will never know if I actually used them).

It's Really Over

I just want to come right out and say this harder for me to do than I thought.  I mean I figured after you refused to pay my invoices I would have been able to end this.  It was not like you were ordering anything after Christmas, but still I hung on.  However, I stayed with you and kept hoping things would get better.  Of course as you continued to abuse our relationship - it only got worse.  Things did not get better, they only got worse. 

Not only did you refuse to pay any of my bills due to your "Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Court" thing you kept throwing in my face, you also forced me to pay my own shipping.  

Shipping that you charged your customers for and then took their money.  And then you gave me a UPS account to charge your shipping to.  But, but what happens is if you do not pay ( I am sure you know this)?   I PAY YOUR SHIPPING BILL (sorry am I yelling?)!  So, guess what happened?  Well.... THEN, THEN you did not pay your bill - cause of your ol' bankruptcy thing you are covered by the courts.  I am not covered by the courts, I am just a small business that took a chance and decided to work with you!   Well UPS came after me and forced me to pay for shipping - shipping you already got paid for.

I do want to thank you for taking my tiles off your site recently though - it was the least you could do.  Thanks for that, I am guessing you did not want me to yell at you when you tried to take an order.  Or maybe you can only sell items in inventory?  I don't know which it is is....

You Can Go Your Own Way

So Right Start, I hope we are clear, I mean how could I not be clear.  It is really over this time.  I would really love to have you listen to some great break up songs, like Fleetwood Mac if you will - I mean Lindsey Buckingham got it - go your own way!

Sincerely,

Jamie R. Lentzner (bitter ex-girlfriend, partner)

A Real Working Mother or Publicity Stunt?

April 13, 2009.

I have been reading Working Mother for almost seven years. I was almost giddy when I got my first subscription the same month I started Jamie's Painting & Design.  I found the magazine intriquing, I felt I was part of a sisterhood of sorts, a club that I could call my own.   After all this time of reading the magazine - I am not feeling the love so much anymore.  These days, I have an almost love /hate relationship with the magazine.  I love the tips, the recipes and advice on juggling motherhood and working, yet I hate the cover Mom's, more tips on breast feeding and how to tell your boss you are pregnant (the two last ones I can skim over - the first one is a tough pill to swallow).  However, today I am in full 'hate' mode - just can't get past it.

Pretty Executive Mommy

In a nutshell, the May issue has a Vice President from Cisco on the cover (yawn).  She is a mother of two, she reports directly to John Chambers, manages 200 people and is the youngest female vice president (okay that part I like - busting the whole glass ceiling and all).  She did have one  tough pregnancy  and her parents divorced when she was a child - so there was some interesting information about her background I guess.  Her struggles if you can call them that are basically going to a neighbor's home to chit chat after work, try NOT to leave too many notes for her caregiver and....no wait that is it, she has no other struggles, oh I know she wants working parents to not feel guilty - okay Dali Lama

What I don't like is the coincident of this magazine hitting newstands right now, it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.  Not a coincidence that  this issue comes on the heels of Cisco laying off more people as we ride the wave of 2009.  This time it was over 2000 people a few weeks ago - coincident I say no.  I think it spin at it's best - but then again I am a publicity whore and jaded in my old age.

Maybe it is also because the Economy still sucks, I am considering quitting my subscription.   With the country in a Recession or a Depression, she is who is on the cover?   I have probably put down the magazine more times that not in the past few years,  I am not interested in yet another Executive cover.

I am just tired of reading about Fortune 500 Company Executive Mom's and "How they Do it". Really?  Do I need an article to tell me how great she has it? How easy she has it with a caregiver, oh and do not forget her Executive Salary too - that helps, that is how she does it!  The last issue that had me fuming was the woman who was (yes an Executive, the CEO actually) and she had a cook, it was like barf, gee life must be hard when you get home.

Publicist Did the Dirty Work

What really irks me though is that are we so stupid as to believe that this woman got the email looking for cover Mom's?  Speaking of which, is not hard to get on - you can sign up at Working Mother, you will get emails when they are looking for a teacher, a social worker, a minority or an entrepreneur.  And yes it is exciting to get - even if I do not qualify,  it is irritating they always say you have to be attractive....no I am not kidding.  I am guessing that is not  a prerequisite for being on the cover of Entrepreneur or Fast Company - let me rephrase that, they would not say that for a Man.  Who cares if  you look like Steve Wozniack - if you are rich and successful - bravo!  How soon can we send a team of photographers and reporters to your home? 

The other funny thing is they NEVER are looking for an executive in these emails that go out to their readers...hmm, I wonder why they are on the cover so often then?  Anyone?  This is obviously the work of a very savvy publicist at either Cisco, IBM, Chrysler or Apple.  They  pitched this Mommy Executive to Working Mother.  I mean come on - this is not a struggling Mother, or a mother that is working in some 9 to 5 job - she is an Executive.   I get it she works hard too - but how many Executives with full time help can I read about?  What about the October issue with the Executive from Lehman Brothers....I could not make this up!

Do Real Mom's Equal Advertising Dollars?

Can't they put real Mom's on the cover?  Maybe some famous Mommy Blogger could grace the cover?  I don't need to read about some very high paid employee, I want someone that is either making a difference, or is just a regular Joe....er, Joann.  Maybe I am in a cranky mood because sales are down, or more friends and family are being laid off than I can count. 

The fact is I am sure an average every day Mom working as an engineer, or the lunch lady is not as glamorous as these Executives.  But I for one do not read Working Mother for that fluff - that is why I have my fluff magazines, I read this for knowledge, advice and help.  I am not dumb - just frustrated.  I am hoping the next cover Mom is at least inspiring..... I mean she is probably quite lovely and all - this is nothing personal against Ms. May.  But come on Working Mother step up to the plate, especially when the entire country is suffering.

This is What I Do

March 25, 2009.

I was really worried that my last post would piss off, or just upset some bloggers - truth is, it did nothing of the sort - I must be getting old and soft in my old age.  Many commented and emailed me to say "You Go Girl" and uh - good for you!  I still wanted to get this post out there though - just in case you had questions about what I did do all day....like all day (inside joke, my husband came home and asked me that one day when our son was a few months old, I stayed at home and it was the ONLY day that I left the house a mess....no he has never heard the end of it, at least we laugh about it now).

I Do Worry About My Business

This is my baby, I spend countless hours obsessing over the success and the failure of my business.  I try to always improve and I hope that everything we do is amazing.  However, this is not always the case - such is life.  I probably spend as much time worrying about my company as I do about my kids....okay not true (kids trump everything) but it seems that way some days.  No matter what it is I do, I always worry. 

I Do Try and Reply &  Help

I try to reply to all emails I get regarding running a business, this blog and comments on my blog.  Note I said I try, I do - but sometimes life has to take the front seat in my life.  My kids come first, my husband second, dogs third, business fourth, then let's see volunteering fourth, house is fifth - I mean I have a life.  If I do not respond lickity split it only means I am living my life.  I love, love the friends I have made from this blog and just meeting from email exchanges.  However, I can not always help - sometimes the questions are out of my expertise and sometimes I am just busy.  Please do not attack me or assume I don't care, I do care. 

I Do Have Feelings

Not so much from this blog, but more from the Silicon Valley Mom Blog I write for - I have been flamed.  I brought it on, no biggie.  I think people forget sometimes that a blog is about me - and my (totally skewed 'cause they are about me) opinions and experiences.  I only write about what I know or what I have been through.  I do not know everyone and I do not mean to offend - I just tell it how I see it (sorry is what it is).  I do not like to be yelled at, swearer at or even accused of being a bitch....and yes I may be one.  I think when someone can comment under Anonymous it opens up the flood gates - I am out there, if you want to comment - good.  However - I have a face and feelings and you may want to think before you push send.

I Do Screw Up

I have been around long enough to know that not every design (or product) is going to succeed.  I have even done some serious homework and research and then still had the product fail.  Sometimes it is the time, the market - or just dumb bad luck.  I do not know why some products or even themes fail - but they just do.  I have learned not to fall in love with my idea (or myself) too much so that when it fails I can let it go.  It helps to remove myself emotionally from the idea once it is 'out there in the market place'. 

I Do Struggle

I have grown, I have lost, I have survived.  Running a business is very hard, and yet rewarding at the same time.  I am finding it hard to stay positive in this Economy.  Retail is struggling - therefore I am struggling.  I keep running up against payment problems, bankruptcy and just bad accounting practices.  I get it - I understand what everyone is experiencing.  I have responsibilities to my employees and my channel partners and I will survive this downturn, I just do not know how long it will take.  I do think that doing whatever it takes (legally of course people) to stay alive is necessary.  I am not one to brag - but I am willing to take on any and every job at my office to ensure we do not go under...........oh and we are not going under.

I Do Get Lucky

Yep, I do sometimes - just happens.  I have had some amazing breaks and made some wonderful connections.  I work it though - all the time.  I make a connection with all accounts and I keep in touch with the press I do know.  I sometimes have a bluebird (sales expression) land in my lap - but most times it comes from lots of hard work.  I have been at the wrong place more times than the right place.  I make the time to make the calls, the emails and the connections - I have to.  I never know where that one introduction will get me. 

My mother used to say, "Every date is a possible mate."  I have my own expression with work and it goes like this, though not as poetic "Every person that knows about my company, is a possible sale, partnership or opportunity for me"

I Do Get It

For whatever reason this business has helped me and it has been a very steep learning curve.  Sometimes something (or someone) clicks with you - for me it was this business.  I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to know it all.  I do get what it takes to succeed and I think I have found my niche in the market place.  I feel that if I can weather this storm, any other one can not be this bad.  I love runningJamie's Painting & Design and I love creating new products - I really do.

I Do Need to Sleep

Ya, that is me speaking - the real me.  I am in desperate need of some sleep - like the sleep for three days sleep.  I am tired and I tend to burn the candle at both ends when it comes to my business (and my life).  I am always wishing I blogged more, read more blogs, created more products and contacted more accounts.  I have to learn to accept that I am one person and I am only human.  At the end of the day I am pretty sure my children (and husband) will not say, "Gee we wish Mommy worked harder at her job and spent less time with us."  So I am okay.....I think.*

*An apology to the blog Gods who say that every post needs a picture...truth is I have none.  I have about 40 new product ideas/designs yet not photographed.  I wanted to get this post up and I apologize for no eye-candy.  How about if next post is all photos???  Sound good?

I Don't Do That

March 16, 2008.

After not one but two different companies approaching me about pimping....er, I mean recommending their products on my blog I decided this post was a must.  I also had a very funny conversation today with another blogger about the things we had been asked to do from some readers...I figured it was time to say what I don't do.   I had to get it off my chest.  You know a "I don't do that...." speech, like the one in Sixteen Candles?  Anyone...anyone?  It went something like this:

Girl with pearls at Jake Ryan's party, "What? I'm sorry, I don't do that."

Friend with Jake Ryan's Mom's fur coat on, "Yes, you do."

Girl with pearls, "I know." [Giggling]
   
Caroline, Jake Ryan's girlfriend, sitting in hall with her hair shut in the door, "Come on.  Trace. You guys.                   

Caroline whining, "Would you help me,please?  Come on, you guys.  I'm your prom queen."

Am I the only one who remembers that speech?  Oh well, I am a Sixteen Candles Professional Movie buff.  I am not sure that it has done me any good in life - but that is what I am envisioning as I write this.  So, back to me and my list of things I don't do.  I am going to list them here in case anyone has any questions for me.  I will probably write my next post with things I do DO.  You know just so you don't think I am totally negative Nelly and all.*

*For the record, these are things I don't do now, today.  This does not mean I did not do them at one time or another.  Truth is I probably did most if not some of these things.  Okay?  Just not anymore........well not today, maybe I will do it again another day, doubtful, but maybe.

I Don't Hand Paint My Tiles

I used to do this, years and years ago in a galaxy far far away - well actually it was my garage/studio and it was forever ago - five years, oh wait six and almost a half.  No matter what it says all over the Internet, on multiple sites that sell my stuff, including a few interviews - I don't do that.  No, I use my hand painted designs, and they are mine, mine, mine!  I do all the designs, I do all the writing, the fonts - all me.  I created them.  We use another process to get the art on the tile - a better process than hand painting if you asked me. 

I Don't Do Everything

I know it seems sometimes like I do, and I can look like the muli-tasker maven at times - but I am not.  I have help and the most supportive, wonderful husband on the planet - sorry ladies he is taken.  I have my parents that help with the kids and in the business.  I have employees, I have cleaning people and a gardener.  I do try and do it all, I do try and make it look easy - but I could not and would not have ever succeeded (or been sane) without the help I get.  What I do do - I don't always do well either.  I screw up, I fall down, I make mistakes, I cry, I yell - I am human.  I am happy when someone tells me I am an inspiration, but I put my pants on one leg at a time also - and I clean the toilets too.

I Don't Work out of My Home

I am not a WAHM, I have an office, manufacturing, shipping department.  These days with the Economy so bad not to say I don't wish some days it was still run out of my home.  But, I am able to leave work at work.  I do have a studio in my home, I do paint from home and do some work from home sometimes.  I am still lumped into that WAHM in some newsletters and on some threads - I don't do that any longer (not that there is anything wrong with that).

I Don't Have a Million Dollars

No matter how many times I say this, or how many upset/angry sales channels claim I a "big time" now or the "you are soooo successful speech" I have to disagree.  Just because I put on a good show, got some press and have an office space does not mean I am rich.  I live in one of the most expensive states in the country - not because I am rich either.  I live here because I love it here, my family is here and well it is what it is.  I am not making a huge salary either.  I shop at Target, my kids get jeans at Old Navy, I love a bargain and the word caviar is not in my vocabulary.  I like to tell people just because you work at home or are a small business, does not mean you have to act small.  Being professional, consistent and easy to work with have nothing to do with making tons of money - it has everything to do with being a smart business woman.

I Don't Do Mommy Blogger Product Reviews

I do not review other products, I never have and I never will.  I am pretty sure about this one because I think my readers would scream fowl if I ever tried to sell them a fabulous scrap booking eggshell cutter.  Pssst....I don't even scrapbook for that matter - did it too much in college - I will scrapbook when I die, or retire - whichever comes first.  I do get emails and phone calls about companies saying they love my blog and hey shouldn't I, couldn't I and wouldn't I write a post about ____________ (you fill in the blank).  The answer is no.  And now I can send them to this post instead of the snarky/sarcastic answer I usually give them. 

I Don't Send My Products to be Reviewed by Mommy Bloggers

This one is a tough one and before you yell at me.....please read on.  I am not going to send my products to a blog to be reviewed any longer.  I will send products to a magazine a newspaper or a TV Show, because they send it back.  I have done review blogs in the past.  I did a few, got no hits and no sales - no biggie, it was a little bit of press.

 I have had my business for many, many years and I work with the best in the industry, not to mention a few celebrities that have my products.  I do feel it is good to see the product and know the quality, however real press outlets do not order tiles with specific names and themes on them.  I used to send out products willy-nilly.  And then this happened:

I followed up on a query from a sort of well known blog for cowboy products.  Got a request for photos and to send a Cowboy Name Plaque for her son.  I made it, I personalized it, I shipped and I followed up with an email....I paid for it, oh I paid for it. 

This was before Christmas, you know about the time the Economy and my sales took a flying leap off the cliff?  You remember when my sales were so low I wanted to cry??  Remember?  Well, I know from Fed Ex ('cause I am smart like that and can track things) that the plaque was received.  I sent emails to confirm she received it - no response.  I asked if my product would still be reviewed - no comment.  I even commented on her blog - no response....oh wait that is not right she deleted my comment right after I left it.   

I don't care if she hated my product, I don't care if maybe Fed Ex screwed up and she did not get it (I mean possible, doubtful but possible).  What I care about is the non-response.  She got a free product from me.  I don't send out free products to just anyone.........Oprah yes - a blogger NO.  She should say thanks but no thanks, or I hated it so I won't review it, I never got it, or better yet na-na-na-na I got a free product.  Something, anything........

Ya, well get a free product from me once, and then the whole Ponzi Scheme is ruined for everyone. I do not agree with bloggers getting tons of free product.  I do not think it is right.  They are not professional journalist no matter how many readers or comments they have.  I mean I want to yell out - really?  I am guessing she thinks I won't call foul, or that I won't tell others.  Worse yet um, I may not set the world on fire with my blog but come on - I have been in business for 6 years!  I must be doing something right?*

*Please don't ask who it was, read between the lines, figure it out if you can.  I won't tell.....well maybe I will, I have trouble keeping my mouth shut.  Dang I am full of contradictions today.  I just say to be very, very careful when sending out products to be reviewed. 

I Don't Care......Okay, Maybe a Little

I don't care if you don't like my blog, I do not care if you hate my honesty, or the negative energy I sometimes bring to the table.  I am going to do it and I am going to tell it as it is.  This does not mean I do not have wonderful, fabulous and amazing days, but after all these years doin' what I do - some days are just crummy.  I do write about both by the way.  Running a business is hard and if can't stand the fire.....yep, get out of the kitchen. 

I don't.......well okay wait I really DO care about what you think, and I do care if you like the blog.  I do want comments, I do enjoy the banter, even when readers disagree.  I do like the emails and I do hope I make ya laugh.  However I don't and won't be changing my tune anytime soon. 

I Don't Mind if You Ask Questions

I don't mind at all if you ask me anything about my business.  Really, really I enjoy the conversation and if I can help - you know I will.  I  may not be able to answer all questions and I am not going to give away all secrets, but I will do what I can to help.  Some things in life you do need to figure out on your own.  As my mother told me, as I am sure others did too - sometimes you need to fail before you can succeed.  There is no easy way, there is no magic secret and there is nothing wrong with asking.  So, do go ahead - and ask....I don't mind.

You are Blogging About What?

March 9, 2008.

I have a confession to make, and I am not proud of it -  sometimes I get stuck, I mean really stuck.  I sort of think Twitter is to blame, but le'ts face it - it's me.  I get stuck on what to blog about.  In fact,  I just want to pull my hair out over it.....I sit and think what should I write about.  Or worse I have a great post in my head in the shower and get all excited, get out of the shower and totally forget it.  These days when we (me) are having to get creative in every aspect of my life with finances my brain is fried when it comes to writing a creative blog post.*

I posted last year on Silicon Valley Mom Blogs and on JPD Mom about what I learned at Blogher '08.  I whined, I bitched, I agreed, I disagreed - and I told some amusing tales about what it was like.   Not really a huge deal, but I was thrilled just to attend and truth is it did not change my "blog world" or my blog readers at all.  After the dust settled I decided I would never ever go to another Blogging Conference.  I figured been there done that and got the t-shirt, why should I attend again?

If You Can Not Attend - Ask a Friend

Fast-forward to Blissdom earlier this year (last month I think) and a good friend attended.  She was a featured Mompreneur type here over a year ago and she posted about the event at Bilingual in the Boonies.  I loved her honesty, her advice and her candor.  I actually started thinking maybe I would go to Blogher, just maybe.  Go over there and read her post  and my favorite new quote I would like to have tattooed on my forehead (or at least if someone could write it on my mirror each morning I would be happy.  The quote is:

"Don't fall in love with yourself too much.  Someone is always better, someone is always less fabulous"

I am almost worried that the quote alone could crush Twitter - you know the whole, "what are you doing?".  I am so guilty I almost never write anything other than an announcement about some good news, some press - I mean who is not already sick of hearing about me on Twitter?  I am!  Everyday I read the tweets of those that I follow, I check who is still following me and um, those that dumped me while I slept...........really, while I sleep I can lose followers, I gain them - I don't know why. 

To You I say No Thank You Sir!

I am not attending Surtex, I did not exhibit at this year as I had thought I was going to at least attend.  And oh, let's see the bottom fell out of the Economy and well - My company, Jamie's Painting & Design's extra money went bye bye.  Not going to Surtex this year. 

As for the CHA show in Southern California, earlier this year  - that would be another nope, did not exhibit.  I had really hoped to exhibit, or at least attend it and focus on my licensing of my art.  Did not even pay attention to deadlines or prices - really, the Economy came a knockin' again.

Atlanta- I say no,  New  York Gift Show - um, no.  If you have decided to exhibit, I say good for you and good luck. As for me, I am not so keen on spending about  $8,000 on a trip to Georgia, Las Vegas or New York.  I can not just hope I sell a bunch of inventory to a bunch of stores that might (or might not) be in business by the end of 2009.  I live in California = so big expense for me.  If it works for you - cool, me not so much.  And, if it works for you....it would be great if you could post a blog about it....um kay?  I am needing some good retail news therapy!

And lastly we no longer have our Texas reps any longer - bye bye!  We only picked up about....um one store with them, and they dropped us after only one year.  I was like, okay - not that this past year was awful for retail and the last quarter was worst in what, 27  years?  So here comes January and they wanted to get rid of us - okay, I mean really - my fault?  I don't think so, but you want to drop us - fine, one less headache for me.

Never Say Never

So....as I sit here with a little bit of some blogstipation (pssstttt totally stole the word from Ms. Carrie Weir at Los Politos/Bilingual in the Boonies post) I have a confession to make.  I purchased a ticket on Saturday for Blogher  in Chicago.  I am sort of, alright I am actually excited.  I can not believe I am actually attending again....but me being a glutton for punishment and total crazy competitive self (yes for a short time I was the wii step champion in my home - damn my husband for beating me) I want my blog to improve.   I am going to Blogher '09!  I am hoping to do a little more schmoozin' and boozin - no, I am kidding about the boozin (but it is a weekend without children or husband).  I would really like to meet some more "like-minded bloggers". 

Moving on Up, or Down

Fact of the matter is no one knows what to do now.  Some tell me to spend, others tell me to save, market, advertise, blog, give aways - you name it, I have either been told it or read it.  I have some telling me to expand.......in fact my favorite piece of advice was that I was (and I quote) "You are just marketing to the wrong group of people." Yep, yep - that is why my sales are down.  In the end of 2008 I started marketing to uh, men behind bars that had no children, or family - dang!  

The fact is no one knows is spending much money and consumer confidence is down - you (me, we).  I just read this morning Mr. Warren Buffet says the Economy fell of a cliff....um ya it did!  If you want my advice, I say we  just need to sit back, wait and watch - but be careful out there.  I am making no quick moves, I am not making any risky investments or partnerships.   Times are tough - I am going to make it through this year.....only time will tell who else makes it.

*Ya, ya I took a picture of some peekaboo shoes....again borrowed from Carrie - shoes are it I hear.  They are from a dinner out, where I wore two different shoes.....real smooth - not the first time I did that either...sigh, maybe the Blogging Conference is not for me.

Just a Small Amount of Local Press

February 26, 2009

So if you recall I posted a few weeks ago about how I had not one, but two separate interviews and two film crews (photographers really) come to my home.  It was nerve wracking for sure, but super exciting. 

Through the whole ordeal I had my poor family had to live with me being super-duper anal about their rooms and "bed-making skills".  Glad it was all worth it - check the magazine out below, it came out yesterday!

Bay Area Parent, March 2009

All press is good press right?  For a small business like mine - yes it is.  When the Economy is what it is - again, the press is good.  Just another plug - I got this Bay Area Parent piece from HARO, if you have not signed up for HARO (Help A Reporter Out) yet, I suggest you do.

It Takes Time

You never know when you are going to find a reporter that falls in love with you and your story.  You also do not know if they are going to hang on to your "information" for another day.  I like to go with the mantra, "To be at the right place at the right time - you have to be in lots of wrong places first."  To be honest I do not spend a ton of time (or money) on press, I just send in a few pitches or answer querries.  If you are able to make it part of your morning routine it is not that bad.

I got this small article from a querry back in Janurary and even though was not about my business, it did show my decorating skills and how passioante I am about creating special spaces for my children.  Now, I know if you read the article it does not do everything for me:

• The article does not list Jamie's Painting & Design with an address, phone number, prices, email, fax, website or directions

• Link to Jamie's Painting & Design website or the JPD Mom Blog

• Gush with compliments about Jamie's Painting & Design and our products

• Show pictures of my products or Me (no really I am okay with not being photographed this time)

It is just a cute piece about my children and their bedrooms and it may create some business, some buzz or something down the line.  It is funny about press, when you start to really track it and ask how someone found you - you will find whether the press actually created anything tangible.  Only time will tell, but I know it can work.  I was in Bay Area Parent three years ago and I still get peole today who come up to me and say they say me in the magazine.  I have gotten direct orders, I have had stores contact me - and the magazine came out three years ago!  Every little bit counts right?

Take a look - The kids sure look proud!  You do know after the photo shoot(s) they both decided that I should re-do their rooms again. 

We interupt this program.....for change!

February 23, 2009.

So....a few weeks ago we mentioned we.......er uh me was making some changes at Jamie's Painting & Design.  Some of our policies were not really working out the way they were supposed to (in case you need a refresher course this is how it is supposed to go):

1. My company sells a products wholesale through a sales channel
2. The sales channel places an order with my company
3. My company makes the order
4. My company ships the order
5. My company bills the sales channel
6. Then we wait 30 days to get paid
7. and wait
8. and wait
9. really, still waiting.....I kid you not, we are still WAITING!

Ch...ch...changes

Which brought me to that post I was discussing, where we decided to change our policies.  In simple terms, "We don't ship it till you pay for it."  Times are tough.  Times are very tough for retail and I can not afford to keep all these business's afloat.

Are there exceptions? Yes - always.  Are we penalizing the entire industry for a few bad apples?  Um....yes we are, we can not afford to stay in business if we do not get paid.  Are we willing to work with a store, a website or catalog that is honest about their finances and open about when we will get paid?  Absolutely - yes we will be open to that.

Fortunately for me most of my sales channels are great to work with, though that is not the case with all of our channels.    I must state that 99.9% of the channels are fabulous and pay their bills.  I have hundreds of channels and I am grateful for all of them and happy they pay for their services.  What I did not state in my earlier post was how I felt about my change in policy.  I was  horrified about it.  I did not want to rock the boat.  I was afraid I would lose sales, lose friends and get hate mail.  Really, I am okay with change - I am not so okay with making demands or refusing to keep up my part of the bargain (and yes I totally get they did not keep up their part of the bargain).

What Happened Next

After my accountant pushed send on the "change email" I held my breath, no really I did.  I was a nervous wreck about it.   We got one email back from a physical store....and it went something like this:

Dear Jamie,

I am disappointed that a few bad accounts has forced you to change your accounting policies.  It is unfortunate that only a few of your other accounts have not paid on time will affect those of us that do pay on time.  Unfortunately at this time we will no longer be able to work with Jamie's Painting & Design, due to our terms do not let us continue with this partnership.  As far as I know we have never gone delinquent with any of our bills.

Um........ya our return email was this:

Dear "Store that only sold $300 of product this year",

We are sorry that this partnership must come to an end, however your store has been delinquent more than once this year.  Also, our records show you owe us ____ amount of money for products Jamie's Painting & Design shipped out over 9o days ago.  Thank you again for your partnership.

The Moral of the Story

And um if I must....before you send out an email propping yourself up, putting us down and assuming (never assume anything it will make an ass out of you and....ya, ya Bad News Bears) that you are innocent.  For the love of God - check your accounting records too!  I have to say I hate losing any account, and I am sad that I lost this one - but come on!  Pay your bills um kay?  Ironic? I say,yep!

Happy Late Valentines to My House!

February 15, 2009.

Ah shucks - my home is on parade.....sort of.  I woke up to this wonderful post yesterday morning on Lookiloos.  I can hardly read the glowing embarrassing article Sheila wrote, I sound like Martha Stewart on crack.   Well maybe not that crazy, but I do wonder what I was thinking when I started my business, right after remodeling our entire home ourselves.

After reading the post I started thinking about all the good things about owning your own business and why I really did love to be my own boss: 

Top Ten Reasons I love being an Entrepreneur

1. Always Something to Talk About- not that we don't all always have something to gibber jabber about, I know we do.  I always can join in on most nonsense talk at a party, my husband's work  event, sitting with the Mom's at school.  As an entrepreneur I can pretty much walk the walk and talk the talk with anyone.  I get what is like to stay at home, I get the business talk, I get the sales stress, the Economy...oy vey!  And sometimes I even blurt out things to shut some idiot up;

Idiot,"So as I was saying I have my own business, I am very successful and I live in Atherton*...do you know where Atherton is?  I own a home there...."

Me, "Ya, I know where it is.  So my tiles were on the Ellen DeGeneres show last year....do you know who E-L-L-E-N is?"

Was I childish? Yes.  Was it funny? Yes.  Did I shut him up? YES! 

*Just in case you do not know where Atherton is, it is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States.  It is just about 15 minutes down the freeway from me,  EVERYONE knows where it is.

2. Never A Dull Moment - If you have been reading this blog, or own your own business, this is a big fat - duh!  I swear the word bored or expression,' I have nothing to do', has probably not passed over my lips since I started Jamie's Painting & Design (or had kids for that matter).  I have a to-do list that never gets thrown out, I just keep adding things, ideas, inspirations....more blog posts!  It is a never ending list of continuing to improve, take down, re-do or change.  I guess the day I sit back and say I am done, I have nothing more to do - will be the day I quit.

3. I Am in Charge, Because I said So - This is a double-edges sword for sure.  The line from History of the World Part II, when Mel Brookssays, "It's good to be king." always pops in my head.  I enjoy most of the perks and the total control that comes from being in charge.  Yes, not everything is funky-dory, but most of the time it is great.  If you don't like being in charge - don't start a company.  I like it, I do.

4. Business School 101 Forever- I will never, never ever know all there is to know about running my own business.  It will always be a learning experience.  If I have figured out one aspect I have to teach myself something else to succeed.  The learning curve is steep and I am lucky to have smart people around me to help me out.  Sometimes though I just have to figure it out.  I have no IT department, no HR department, no I do not.  If there is a problem, I need to fix it....and usually fast.

5. Watch Mommy Work - Whether my children follow in my footsteps,  join the company or not, I know they have learned quite a bit.  They have watched my business grown, seen it stumble and probably learned a few bad words.  The best part is that they saw how I (with the help of my husband and family) started something from nothing and created a thriving business.  Sometimes I need to take a step back and acknowledge what we do is sort of cool....well at least my kids still think it is.  They can see that I can follow my dreams and still be a Mom to them.

6. Freedom Baby! - Even with the long hours, the weekends, the stress and the back breaking work I can take off when I want.  For six long years no one has told me how to dress (yes I wear slippers some days) or when to get to work, or whether or not I can take the day off.  I love the freedom!  Not to say the blackberry does not totally help (it does) but I am able to make my own hours, go out of town, leave work early, volunteer in my children's classroom.....and it is fabulous!

 7. Friends, Partners & Mompreneurs Oh My!- If I had not started my own business I would not be so blessed to call so many different women my friends.  Women I have never met in person, some I have spoken to on the phone, others I email on a regular basis and some we only speak through twitter.  I find some of these women are so supportive and so fabulous that I don't know how I would ever have succeeded without them.  Really a great testament to what  a great community of people you can meet on line.  My virtual support system is by far the biggest shock to me - I never imagined I could meet so many of you that say, "Yep, I get that."

8. Never say, "What Might Have Been."- I never have to utter those words, I took the plunge I tried, I am trying I am doing what I want. Selfish?  No - totally stubborn and an unnerving ability to do what I set out to do.  I refuse to take no for an answer.  I do not like to not try.  No one is putting this 'baby' in the corner - I will do what I set out to do.  I had two small children, no seed money, no partner, no experience - these things did not stop me.  I do not know how I did it (or others either) but I did it.  No matter what happens to JPD in the future, I will know I tried and I did what I set out to do.

9. What if you did....? - This is one of the most exciting things about running a business - the possibility of the unknown.  The question I ask myself, or others might ask with a new idea, a new way of looking at things - just new.  I can not imagine I would have this freedom if I was working for the man, or in an established huge company right now.  I love that I can take my business in a , I can try out a new product line, I can experiment with new things.  It is never boring I tell you.

10. It Makes Me Happy - I feel that running a business is very fulfilling and rewarding.  I get to make beautiful things for people.  I get wonderful thank you's, kudos, praise from customers and friends alike.  It makes me feel good.  I like that people like my work....and ya I am thinking the Sally Field speech in my head right about now, "You like me, you really, really like me!"  At the end of the day, whether I made a dollar or not - I know that someone is thrilled with a product I made.  I love that feeling.

Behind the Scenes of A Photo Shoot

February 7, 2009.

So um pssssttt........I have a little secret to share with you.  Not this Saturday, but the one before....ya, ya 24 robbers came knocking at the door.  I swear, is it just my age or my total juvenile way of looking at the world but that jump rope game pops into my head every time someone starts a story off with that?

 Anyhoo....sorry to get off track - I had an exciting if not stressful Saturday.  First a local children's magazine, Bay Area Parent asked to come by and photograph my children's rooms for an article on creative use of a small space.  I thought they were coming in April -  nope they would be here in like 8 days.

And if that was not enough, I also had the fabulous website Lookiloos come and photograph my home on the same day.  I thought they were just coming to look at one room....nope they got the entire house (except for my bedroom which I forbid them from entering, see photographs above & below).  And hold on to your knickers because it gets even better - my home is going to be featured in the San Jose Mercury News Home Section via the Lookiloos site.  EEEK!

Ya it was a cool day.

Things Are Not What They Seem

So you see some home photographed and you think (like me) my gosh their house is perfect, is there not a junk drawer, an unmatching blanket, kids art on the fridge or a basket for crap....er um stuff I can not throw away?  Well guess what I happen to know these people do have these things, they just hide them, as I did, when the photographers show up.  Shall we look at my poor bedroom that I refused to let anyone in:

First I had to make sure the kid's rooms were in tip-top shape, I had to do a few things (Abby's bedspread was in tatters - so thankful for Pottery Barn) and I had some scuff marks that needed painting  over, some artwork that needed hanging.  Remove some obnoxious dress-up (see exhibit A with the Yankee Doodle Hat Thing) and make sure my daughter did not 45 stuffed animals stacked around the room.

Shudder, even looking at this picture I am sort of embarrassed that this stuff was all in my bedroom when they came.  These items are all in my home, in one room or another and I had to find a place for them when the film crew came.  Hence.....you can see where they were stacked.

The problem with our home is that usually people would be putting these things into the garage, but our garage is the kids play room (that was being photographed also).  So I had to put them in some room, and I chose mine.  And as  I stated ealier - my room was TOTALLY off limits. 

I sent my dogs to my parents home for most of the day.  My husband took my kids to another friend's home for a much needed play date and my husband....gosh who knows what he did - I think he went to my office.

They Finally Arrive

I got to have a great talk with two of the three founders of Lookiloos - they were so much fun and totally personable at that.  We walked around the house I explained what I did and why and pretty much blushed and 'aw shucks' when they complimented my home.  Our home was a probate sale disaster ugly thingie covered in trees, ivy, rodents in the roof, brown shag carpet from 1970's....and we fixed it up.  You would never recognize our house from the way it was seven years ago.  The photo below is how it looked when we bought it....not today!  I still can not believe I saw the diamond n the rough from that.

So, while they are still talking to me and photographing every room in the house, Bay Area Parent arrives with a photographer to interview me and see my kids rooms + the playroom.  I am walking them through the house, showing them my tiles I made, discussing why I chose what was their rooms and how I started my business.  Then they ask where my kids are my kids......ah deer in headlights - "I uh, let me call my husband I don't know where they are".

I had to track them down (curse myself for not dressing them cuter) - they were getting hair cuts.  My Dad left his house, went to the hair salon, got my kids, brought them back for three picture....whew!  I was exhausted - but boy did my house look clean.  That does not even begin to tell you what I did in the week before with the cleaning, the scrubbing, re-arranging, primping and even a little bit of planting in the backyard - in the rain.  I know, I know I have issues, but in my deffense the backyard was going to possibly show up in some photos - and dead plants are not my thing.

I will keep you posted on the press and when (and if) it makes it to print.  I don't ever believe it till I see it and touch it.