JPD Mom

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.