JPD Mom

Eighth Entrepreneur - Debbie Killion

January 28, 2008.

Hello moder, hello fader, here I am at Camp Grenada, camp is very entertaining we should have some fun once it stops.....SNOWING! Yep, snow, snow, snow - we are up in Truckee and it coming down in buckets, and we are stuck in the cabin with let's see one, two.....SEVEN kids.  Hoping we can make it home tomorrow....did I mention it has not stopped snowing in the last 48 hours?

I thought I would post another Entrepreneur, one that is new to  the Children's Industry.  Debbie started Designs By DJ early in 2007 and her products were chosen for the exclusive Boom Boom Room earlier this month.  She is also one of my dearest friends, so this does not stink of Nepotism, but I have known her for oh, um about 15 years.  I was in college with her and were as close as could be. 

Our Past Together

We both loved the whole skits, posters, t-shirt designs all the stuff that really helps with a corporate job.  If Debbie and I could have majored in "Sorority Charity Events" we would have.  She is seriously one of the most talented artists I know....and the most fun to stay up with late at night and make costumes for "Joy To The World" Greek Week skit....uh, another story.  I am happy to introduce you to Debbie Killion:

Designs by DJ Murals & Children's Wall Art

I started Designs by DJ Murals and Decorative Painting in 1995,   painting murals, faux painting and hand painted furniture in the Southern California area.  I started my own business because I wanted the freedom to work on my own schedule.  I also wanted to reap the benefits of my own hard work.

I decided to start Designs by DJ Children's Wall Art once I had my first child.  My goal was to one day stop painting murals and focus on being a mom, while working from my home studio on the Children's Wall Art business.  I just had my second child in November and I am now focusing most of my energy on the Wall Art Business.

The Difference in the Businesses

I have found that manufacturing art is different from creating murals because I get to design exactly  what I want.  With the murals the designs were dictated by the client for the most part.  With my Wall Art I have complete control and freedom with my creations.  My favorite part of my job is being able to be home with my children while running my Wall Art businesses.  I don't have a least favorite part of my job yet....I love what I am doing.

Future Plans

My plan for the future of my business is to get my paintings into more shops and boutiques, as well as on line stores and to expand my line of designs.  I have pages and pages of new designs and products in my sketch book that are ready to be created.  The only thing holding me back at the moment is having a 12 week old baby at home.  But, I am excited to get back into my studio and bring my new ideas to life. 

Raising children and running a business is very tough, but I work on my business during my moments of freedom.  Nap times are key and having a wonderful supportive husband helps a lot too.  I look forward to see what the future brings for Designs by DJ.

Special News Bulletin

December 24, 2007.

We interrupt the 12 Days of Entrepreneur Blog Posts for a very important news bulletin.....

2008 Christmas Shopping Season at JPD

Well 2007 is almost over, and though November was slower than last year, Jamie's Painting & Design seems to be ending December with a bang.  I have spoken with many other small business owners (from other industry's) and it sounds like the economy (just to humble little ol' me) is slowing down.  Luckily we have continued to grow in other areas, streamline our processes, expand our line and continue to evolve as a company.

I will delve more into what worked and did not work for the 2008 Holiday Season once I get the tinsel off the tree, glitter out of my floor boards, the last packages wrapped, eat one more piece of fudge, sing one more verse of jingle bells (hold on Abby, I will be start singing any minute now...) and sit down, no really maybe I should sit down when I type.

12 Days of Entrepreneurs....More like 42

If you are counting we are only up to number five, and even though math is not my strong point, I know I will not get the other 7 up before the end of December - which was my original goal.  I am still, um, well missing a few interviews, but I can at least get through 10 hopefully by the beginning of January.  December sort of crept up and bit me in the ass, and I have had some family emergencies to deal with to boot.  Being the boss is nice now, and makes me realize why I chose to do this - I have the freedom to take care of  more pressing matters.

On a happier note - I would like to say that the 12 Days of Entrepreneurs is going to continue to be a  monthly post at JPD Mom.  The success has been great, and I really enjoy highlighting other successful entrepreneurial women.  Sharing tricks of the trade, telling your stories and how you did it, your secrets to success, and your nodding your head when I am crying - all good.  I would like to actually feature pioneers in the industry, established women, and new entrepreneurs that are just breaking into the industry on a regular basis.

If you are interested in being featured please send the following:

• Name and name of your company
• Family status
• Where your located, is it a home run business or out of an office
• Retail/Wholesale
• Website
• A short biography about why you started your business and a little "nugget" of inspiration for us.

The Times They Continue to Change

If you have not heard, Drooz studio has decided to close it's wholesale side of the business, and let Oopsy Daisy produce her products.  I think what Shelly Kennedy is doing is brilliant - I commend her and I am happy for her success.  I can not wait to see what the next great thing that Shelly will do, and how she will continue to impact our industry. 

I remember not so long ago when another pioneer decided to stop selling wholesale.   Back in Spring of 2004, Wendy Bellissimo left the wholesale side of the business.  The ripple around the country was huge - boutiques everywhere were told to sell or return old inventory. I remember the store owners and websites all in total dismay - her bedding was the "must have" bedding for all mothers to be.  The rumors were flying about what she was going to do next, and what bedding would replace her.  Needless to say, a couple other bedding companies quickly took her throne and all is right with the world.

How wonderful for the customers of Drooz studio to NOT have to wait a whole year to see what she is doing next.  Again, great move by Shelly - it sounds like a win-win situation to me.

It makes you wonder, only history will tell who will be remembered and who will quickly be forgotten.  Which of us will go on to make an impact?  Who will create a major shift in this industry and who will slowly fade away? Which of you will continue to hand paint,  sew alone or make your own products? Which of us will stop doing it ALL? Who will go overseas to manufacture and who will just go down in flames?

One thing I do know is that people need to decide what they want to spend their time doing - and I think Shelly made it very clear - she loves to create.

The Year In Review

Finally, I will be posting the year in review, the highlights  and low points for JPD.  Some things were huge, some just a bleep on my radar.  Some blog posts will be remembered fondly, and others....well I am not so proud of.

Hope everyone has a very Happy Holiday and you are able to spend some quality time with your families.  My wish to you is that you (and I) will NOT feel compelled to do one of the following; check the status of an order, paint a plate, make a call, sew something, check voice mail, invoice a customers, ship a package, make a sales call, check email, sneak blackberry to Christmas dinner, post a blog......DOH, I blew it already!

We will now return your to your regular pro......er, uh Entrepreneur Blogs.......NEXT!

Fifth Entrepreneur - Amber Miner

December 20, 2007.

I am really sorry that these posts are not as frequent this month as I had hoped.  Not only did I have over 85 orders on the last day we took orders- um and everyone in the office was out sick, with sick people or a sick dog....yes, I said dog.  Sometimes family has to be priority - and that has been what I have been doing the last few weeks.  I will delve more into what this Christmas season was like (good and bad) for Jamie's Painting & Design.

First though, I would like to introduce a very inspirational entrepreneur.  I am sort of fuzzy as to how I actually met her, though I think it went a little something like this.  I was checking the stats on my blog and found someone doing a search, her blog ended up on the search just like mine.  I checked her blog out and started reading it, I was enthralled, I was inspired and I was so excited to find another business owner able to speak honestly about running her business. 

Not only had she read my blog, but we had much in common in the whole "Mompreneur" thingie-mabopper life style.  If you have not already (I recommend it highly, and tend to repeat myself....see it's listed over to the left) do check out her blog for an honest look at starting, growing and running your own business.  Amber tends to give straight from the belt, honest stories of what it takes.  Her positive attitude is something I need to try and follow - 'cause you know I tend to put my cranky pants on every once and again.

Amber Miner, Owner & Founder of Baby Fabulous

I had the idea to start a baby clothing line shortly after my daughter was born in October 2002.  After testing the market, learning a new industry, and developing our brand and company, we officially launched Baby Fabulous (b*fab) at the end of September 2006.

Reason for Starting a Business

My kids are the reason we decided to follow our own path.  Where we live, it takes two incomes to survive, so we had to put our daughter into daycare when she was just a few months old.  Just knowing that hands off time was coming up made my brain start ticking - what else can I do???  Kids changed me in so many ways, made me think about so many things - reaching your dreams, living by example, and most importantly being there.  It took longer than I thought to finally launch, bur we're living our dream, because we both work from home and we're raising our own children.

I see the future or our company big, BIG and fabulous things are in the future of b*fab.  We will continue to grown, we will continue to promote job growth in the US and someday, the b*fab brand will be a household name.  In just a year, our customer base has grown exponentially, we've got a celebrity clientele, and our products have received numerous rave reviews.  We hope to maintain steady growth and keep it on the up & up.

I really love everything about my job right now, but especially the flexibility and freedom to be  creative.  After you've given yourself to a career that makes you dread going into work, finding something you love is no comparison.  I love knowing that I've created every aspect of my job from ideas in my head.  I love the challenge, and subsequent satisfaction of solving problems.  I love the journey more than anything and that I can already look back on things I never would have dreamed I would be capable of accomplishing.

My least favorite part of my job is how tired I am, (isn't this true for every Mom though?) and that is when stuff does not work out right, the only "idiot boss" I have to blame is myself.

Following Trends & The Family Balance

Sometimes I find myself following trends, sometimes it's artwork I have seen, or flowers, or seasons.  I take inspiration from all sorts of things.  I love to blend the past trends with modern trends.  I love color, and I love to get out and be inspired by nature.  A little fresh air goes a long ways.

Balancing running a business with family life is something we work on every day and never perfect.  We are constant trying new systems, keeping what works, and when something doesn't, trying something else.  We find that as soon as a system seems to be running smoothly, something comes a long and there is a kink in it anyway.  New school schedules, new activities, new volunteer and side commitments all change our routine.  It is best to stay flexible and good communication is the big difference. 

Second Entrepreneur Interview - Suzanne Longacre

December 12, 2007

I am happy to introduce another successful entrepreneur to hopefully inspire everyone.  I have only known her a few months, but we seem to have a lot in common.  Like most of these great women I am interviewing - I met her through my blog, she read a post, and the rest is history.  We have only spoken via emails and then she was nice enough to agree to do this interview.  Her press on her site is very impressive as is her ability to stay positive in ALL situations.  Take a gander at how Suzanne did it:

Suzanne Longacre, owner & founder of Suzibella

I started Suzibella in March 2002, 11 months after my third son was born.  I left my "real job" of 10 years as a Sales and Marketing Manager for a company that designed and manufactured equipment to dry coatings on paper (exciting,  huh?).  It was definitely challenging, but not my passion.  I left that position, moved from New Jersey to Pennsylvannia, and spent 2 years having fun decorationg my house.  When my friends started having babies, it was a great opportunity to try out my creative side, and I began painting rockers, shelves,etc. to match their nurseries. 

After each baby gift I created, I received more and more encouragement to open a store and sell my creations. Wow, I thought -- this is perfect.  I can be creative and apply my business knowledge at the same time.  So it was done.  I rented a tiny space, about the size of an armoire, in a local retail store, painted up some pieces of furniture, and Welcome Baby was born.

I quickly realized that I needed to offer other products, and then needed a bigger space, and then  more spaces in other towns, and it just mushroomed.  I developed my Keepsake Box, and it was such a hit, that I decided to market it to other baby stores in addition to my own.  Then that started to take off, and I realized something had to give.  After considerable thought, I closed the retail side of my business and focused on the wholesale side. 

In the meantime, I had tried to Trademark my company name, Welcome Baby, and learned that a huge retailer had trademarked the name for their line of baby clothing.  Being the stubborn one that I can be, I decided to take them on, since I wanted to use the name for reatail stores, not products.  When I changed my focus from owning retail stores to selling wholesale products, I realized this fight would not be won.  I had to change the name, and now.  After hundreds of ideas (I wish I could say that it just "came to me" but in this case it didn't); I chose Suzibella, after Suzy Bell, my nickname as a child.

Suzibella, the Company

Suzibella is only about a year and a 1/2 old.  I quickly realized to grow, I needed another product, and although my company name did not come easily to me, the idea for the NappiSak did.  There were other products on the market for carrying diapers and wipes, but none that had both the level of function and style that my design offered.  I applied for a full patent on the NappiSak and it has been a whirlwind ever since.

I have to say that marketing the NappiSak has been the most favorite part of my job.  I decided to do the celebrity marketing route, and it was a great decision and a heck of a lot of fun!!  When I attended the Boom Boom Room last January, I learned 2 months before their birth that Marcia Cross's twins were girls.  Although I wasn't asked to keep mum, I knew Marcia was not revealing the sex so it was a huge ethical dilema for me.   Do I send the photos of the gender-specific NappiSaks to People Magazine to get the exposure, or do I respect her wishes?  After much debate, I decided not to reveal it.  I am such a beliver in karma, and the Power of Postivie Thinking that I knew if I did the right thing, I would be rewarded many times over.

Press, Celebrities & More

As a believer in the Power of Positive Thinking and the Law of Attraction, I decideed to test it.   While on the flight to LA for the Image Awards, I sent out a request that I wanted to meet Oprah.  I was sure she would be there, and you know the power of the Oprah effect.  I followed the steps; Ask, Believe and Receive.  Well, I have to say that I was totally disappointed, she wasn't even there.  And although it was an amazing trip, I was a little rocked by the fact that it didn't happen.  Though, at the Image Awards, where I actually got to walk the red carpet and meet celebrities, such as Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, America Ferrara, and LL Cool J - he even gave a shout out on video about my products, you can view it here.

I always feel it's bettter to have a positive attitude, and hapy to tell you that my request was eventually answered, just not in the time frame I imagined.  In early September of this year my phone rang, and the caller ID came up....it said Harpo.  And yes, that call IS as good as you imagine it can be.  It still amazes me how lucky and fortunate I am, every time I need something (a new supplier, a PR firm, people to work for me, etc.) it seems the perfect person or company or idea just crosses my path.  Now don't get me wrong -- it requires a ton of hard work, lots of networking, and the constant determination to be the best at what you do.

First Entrepreneur Interview - Vicki Bodwell

December 10, 2007

I am excited to post this interview about Vicki Bodwell, owner and founder of the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.  I have had the good fortune of working with Vicki since the winter of 2003.  So, with out further ado, I would like to introduce my very first interview with a successful entrepreneur:

I had been getting Warm Biscuit catlaogs for years, always wanting to do something creative with my talent - I loved to look at them.  When I finally figured out what to do, I kept thinking of sending a product submission to them.  I finally got up my nerve and sent an email.  To my amazement not only were they interested, but the owner of the company, Vicki Bodwell emailed me immediately back.  After showing her some very rough and amateur photographs of my "warm biscuit inspired" name tiles, they agreed to feature two of my products.  I was lucky enough to have them take a chance on me, and I also got the coveted back cover of the early winter 2004 publication.  To say it was one if the highest points in my career would be true - I was amazed at my good fortune and good luck.

Today I have a large variety of products that are sold through the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.   We have created exclusive designs, created brand new products together, I have a great partnership with this company and we continue to work very well together. 

Now looking back, some almost four years later I am honored to call Vicki one of my dearest friends.  We have been through good times and bad times, shared laughs and tears, and been able to even meet in person a few times.  She has been one of the biggest supporters, and yet also one of my toughest critics - I truly respect her advice and opinions.

Vicki Mote Bodwell, Owner of the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company

I started the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. in May of 1999, three months after Pottery Barn Kids launched!  I started my own business from a combined desire to work with fabrics, control of my own destiny an decorate a more flexible lifestyle for my family.  When we started our business, there were very few options for moms to create a stylish child's room at an affordable price.  Now, eighth years later, the category has vastly changed, with new websites and catalogs sprouting up daily.

Learning about the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company

When my son was born in the summer of 1999, I decided to stop being a computer animator for the Learning Company and stay at home with my son.  This was not a difficult decision at the time, I was miserable in my position, the job was not satisfying and I was ready to embark on a new life.  After having my son I noticed a number of different baby and children's catalogs started showing up in my mail box.

One catalog in particular stood out, The Warm Biscuit Bedding Catalog.  It had such a different look from any other catalog, I was not only inspired but in awe of the company.  I remember sitting on my couch (nursing probably) wishing I could make something worthy of this catalog,  I would go through the catalog, page by page looking at the wonderful vintage fabrics and products.

Fast forward to the summer of 2003 (check out previous blogs, seriously I do not need to re-live HOW I ended up at where I am today), when I finally realized that selling on the Internet was key to the growth of my company and I had honed my sales pitch.  I had spent many a day trolling around websites I wanted to be on - The Warm Biscuit Bedding Company was the top of my list.  With the encouragement of my husband I sent an email to them asking if they were interested in new product submissions. 

Best & Worst Part of the Job

My top favorite piece is the creative process.  I enjoy each step of the creative process.  From thinking of new products to developing them with my team.  Secondly, I love working directly with our customers.  Hearing their enthusiasm and excitement as they plan for their new baby or decorating project is enormously motivating to me.  We are lucky that this is a happy time for moms.

My least favorite part is managing the cash flow.  There never seems to be enough wiggle room to feel comfortable....yet again, that probably keeps us on our toes!

I look around my life countlessly for ideas.  From the school yard with the boys to a cocktail party with my husband.  I am always looking for trends and asking people what "finds" they have discovered.  I look at every catalog, magazine and email I can to see what other companies are doing.  I am a huge believer that there are very few true ORIGINAL ideas and most things are an improvement or adjustment to an old idea.   I love vintage, flea market patterns, so we modify and enhance images, or update an old product.  Although, I look forward to the day when we can INVENT the next big thing!

When I look for a new designer, I look for someone who wants to "partner" with us.  We want  designers who want to grow with us and help our business succeed.  We've been lucky to work with artists who are watching out for us and come to us with great product ideas.

I always refer to the Warm Biscuit Bedding Co. as my 4th child.  Like any of my children, sometimes this child acts up and needs more attention.  The holidays are particularly draining and stressful.  I think every mom is stretched thin, so I don't think my life is any more difficult than my customers. Recognizing that we try at the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company to create a shopping sanctuary where they can rely on us to make their life more enjoyable.

Big Week for Betty Lou....I mean JPD!

November 12, 2007.

Well when it rains it pours, and that is always the case with my business.  Every year right around my birthday (don't worry you have plenty of time to shop still, it's not till December) I get some amazing press.  It has happened the last four years - I was starting to think that my good luck had rubbed off, used it all up and by year five - no rubbing of my magic press lamp would work this year.....But sometimes, good things continue to happen to us.

First of all we got this email sent to us last Friday and we are very excited to have our Thanksgiving Children's China plate featured in this weeks newsletter of Baby Times. 

The press is actually through one of our e-tailers, one of our very oldest and first website to carry our products, Baby Box that is.  I am happy for Baby Box and happy it is OUR plate featured.

Katherine Type of Baby Box took a risk on us way back in 2003 when we were on literally no one's radar, and on no websites or in any catalogs.  She took a risk on us even though:

A. No one had heard of Jamie's Painting & Design

B. The photographs were awful, taken in my backyard by me, myself and I.  The word professional photographer was not in my vocabulary

C. I still had not totally figured out drop-shipping or the cost of my products and I continued to tinker with the shipping cost and the cost of the tile that first year.  I must have given her a headache.

D. I was cooking tiles in my oven.  Oops, did I say oven I meant kiln? No, seriously, that is right my first year in business I was just trying to get it all done.  It was a tough Christmas and my poor oven....well let's just say we did not use it very much back then - we couldn't I was cookin' me some tile!

E. Back in the day I made myself many an error and even sent out some uh, well goopy or not finished tiles.  This is hard for me to admit, being that I am a perfectionist and all.  I did make good on the tiles, I replaced any bad ones - and I made it a priority to NOT have another Christmas like that.  Hand painting was fun, but it could not sustain the volume of products were selling, even that first Christmas.

Second thing to happen this week we are the featured company at Posh Tots and our products are featured in their newsletter.  I would like to imagine that the newsletter goes out to 200 million people - but I don't know the exact numbers quite yet, maybe not that many people.

The exciting thing is that our company name is listed in the newsletter (no not here in this photo, I am having a heck of a time saving a .GIF).  But if you click on Posh Tots you should see the fancy-schmancy rotating images newsletter that went out to everyone in the world today (I wish but I know it went out to tons of peeps).

Maybe this is not the Today Show, the Oprah show or People Magazine, but it is good Press, Marketing and even some free Advertising.  I am hoping it just adds to our sales for the year, and keeps our company in the front of peoples minds when they are purchasing products.  Not every piece of press we got turned immediately into millions of dollars (okay um NOTHING we have done has turned into a million dollars...yet).  But I do believe that every little bit helps, and it just validates your company.  It gives you a little warm and fuzzy - and it's pretty damn cool to see your company name up their in lights isn't it?

I know designers out there that want nothing to do with their products or company's getting press unless it says their name.  I know that they tend to get all weirded out and want the press for themselves - not the company that re-sells their products.  I think that is ridiculous, and selfish.  If someone from the press approaches one of our re-sellers about OUR products - but we don't get mentioned, who cares?  I am just thrilled that we were chosen.  Trust me - we have sent out free products all over the place to get some press for a sales channel.  I am not one to look a gift horse in the mouth - or whatever the saying is.  Press is press, is press, is press - so I always get all geeked up about it.      

If good things come in threes I am holding my breath for number three....maybe if I wish hard enough it will happen!

8 Successful Traits of an Entre....er, Mompreneur

All the business blogs seem to be experts with information about what it takes to be a good entrepreneur (yawn).  They list these traits that are.....well for the most part very vague and for MEN (excused me while I barf in my mouth a little).  If you are female and IF you are a Mother and IF you are starting a small business....this is your list.  I always like when arm chair quarterbacks list what traits YOU should have to succeed....walk a mile in my shoes Mr. Expert!

So, I decided to list MY of best traits (no, no not ME, what I would recommend are good traits...gosh I sounded so pompous!) for a successful Mom-preneur-ish type of lady, cause uh, well that is what I am:

1. Be Creative

This is critical, and I do not mean being able to make a lovely knitted-yarn cozy to cover your Kleenex box.  You must be able to use your creativity to make sales, close the sale, if you can not pay a a lot, find other ways to "pay" your employees.  We give employees a 50% discount on products and unlimited freedom to work when they  need to work, just get the job done.  No forms to fill out when asking for vacation - make it work.  Being creative can come in many different forms - find what you are good at, and work it!

2. Follow Through Queen

Do you follow through on what you say you are going to do?  Do you still have Christmas cards from 2001 on your desk?  Are you able to continue to follow-up on sales leads, on bad partnerships from 5 years ago?  I am!   Some of the hardest calls I need to make are when I need to end a relationship or let a channel know that we will no longer be working with them.  Or to continue to be a thorn (a friendly that is) in some company's side to remind them (friendly reminder) that they were going to purchase products.  It is all in the delivery!  But I do HAVE to do it.  A fellow entrepreneur was telling me about this company that had just gotten into yet another bedding catalog - she said, "Not the most original product, but  they follow up religiously".  So keep following up - it's not the Early Bird that gets the worm.....it is the Persistent One.

3. Become Tenacious D

Are you tenacious?  If I get put off, or blown off, I mark it in my calendar and approach them again.  I spent years pursuing one of our largest accounts, and it took the right product the right time, the right email and bingo - best seller on their site, over and over!  This site is so savvy, that they dump  ( good technique) products that do not sell - my contact called earlier this year to say we had NO products to dump, we did TOO well on their site..... I continue to nurture my accounts - the squeaky wheel (the nice squeaky wheel, you do not want to be a pest) gets the attention.  I also make it a point of keeping up on what is going on in my industry.  If I am trying to get into a sales channel and they show up in an article in a trade magazine, I send a congratulations email to the owner.  This has opened many doors for me.

4. Have Some Passion 

Do you have a passion for what you do?  After having my first child, I realized I would never care as much about work as I used to, it just did not matter to me.  No fire drill that I was sent through would ever matter as much as my little boy did.  And, if I was to leave him for a job - it better be a damn good one (case in point it was not, that is why I stayed home).  The passion gets me up at 6:00 a.m., the passion sends me to the computer before I go to bed to check orders, the passion keeps me sane.  That same passion keeps this blog going and keeps me chugging along.....my life has a purpose!

5. Be The Communicator

You need to be able to communicate what you need and when you need it.  If you do not talk well, learn to write well.  You need to be able to communicate to everyone.  If you hate talking to people, then being an entrepreneur is not for you.  Tell a good story, be able to weave a tale and explain yourself.  If it takes you 25 minutes to explain what it is you do and what you sell, no one is going to be awake for that.  You need to work it, and do it quickly!  It is sink or swim, learn to talk well, write well - this helps with all aspects of being an Entrepreneur, and let's face it....your kids will love that Mommy knows how to spell Entrepreneur....

6. Information Guru

Sometimes I am privileged to meet other business owners, sometimes I meet other entrepreneurs that choose to put their head in the sand that DO not pay attention to what is going on in their given industry and I think how nice.  How nice for you to ignore the rest of us - and good luck when your company goes belly up because you chose to not pay attention.  This is really not the best strategy.  You need to be aware, if for nothing else know who to get into bed with (not literally - come on people!) and who to NOT be in bed with, to know the upcoming trends.  Information is good, it is not bad, it will NOT suck your creativity out of you, be aware, be smart - be a MAN!  To quote my very precocious little 8 year old "Knowledge is Power!"

7. Be Competitive

Now I am NOT a competitive sports person type.  I actually played sports for years - basically I did it because, the boys were playing, everyone else was, and I got to talk, meet and hang out with some pretty fun people.   Now that was sports - fast forward to my business....I am fiercely competitive, I know who is doing what, I know where things are sold, I know who my competition is and will make sure and win every time.  I know their weaknesses and I know what I can do and can't do.  Come on people the early bird gets the worm......or the smart girl gets the sale!

8. Multi-Tasker 

Now come ON!  Being a Mom you already are a multi-tasker.  Who can change a diaper, make dinner, answer the phone, clean sink, run a load of wash, feed the dog AND write 14 thank you cards at once?  Who? Who?  A MOTHER-that is who!  Multi-tasking comes much easier to women, especially Mothers!  The ability to put out ten fires at work all at the same time, and be able to stay calm...only a mother.  Trust me - if you can do these things at home you CAN do them at work!  We do not get enough credit in my opinion - we are women, hear us roar!  We can multi-task without scratching ourselves, or losing our concentration because some "buddy" sent us a video of Jessica Alba!

So, there it is - the very unprofessional, and totally honest 8 Traits of a successful Mompreneur!  I am sure you all are patting yourselves on the back and saying to your significant other...."see...I told you so!" (I know I am)

It is Your Day...Do What you Love!

This is the official eighth year that I get to partake in the Mother's Day festivities as an active participant.  I had two years with my friend covered with fur, and then there was the one year I was almost a mother....but those don't really count do they? 

Now that it is official, I like to spend the day barking orders at my family, making them pick up after me, feed me, dress me, bathe me, HELP me and proclaiming, "Because I said so!"  Okay, so I don't do that....but wouldn't that be fun?  This year my son is old enough to ask why there is not a kid's day, and I respond,"I remember thinking the same thing pumpkin when I was your age....and the answer is because EVERY DAY IS KIDS DAY!"

Two years ago I actually came down with some sort of bug, that included....well let's just say I was sick.  And then I got to try and eat a very VERY burnt breakfast in bed.  Spent most of the week (including the entire Mother's Day) in bed (in tears) sick as a dog (which made one dog super happy to spend the week with me).

So last year I decided that I would spend the entire weekend (and a 1/2 day on Friday) doing something I loved-gardening.  And, I went balls to the wall, adding flowers, plants, seeding, new bark, moving plants, planting vines uh I went a bit overboard.  I ended up wrenching my back so bad I felt sick to my stomach, again spending most of the week in bed.

This year I have spent the last two days in a germ free gardening free bubble.......for fear that I might not fully enjoy this Mother's Day.  I will speak or touch no one.  I am going to be healthy if it kills me.  I am spending today doing things I love to do or with people I love:

• Going to breakfast (love breakfast)
• Spend day with family (love family)
• Shopping for new stove (love shopping)
• Shopping for slippers (love shopping....did I mention that?)
• Get my car washed (er...love clean stuff)
• Dinner with extended family (we uh, already addressed this, love family)
• Paint (we have covered this before oh I do love to paint). 

I started to think how many people can actually say that they are doing what they love?  On a day-to-day basis, what do you do spend your day doing?  I mean you got the career you wanted but are you DOING what you love to do?  Are you working towards getting to that point at least?  If you went back to school are you studying what you want to study?  If you started your own company are you doing what you love to do?  Or are you spending all your time chasing down problems? 

What are you spending your time doing? 

Have you ever looked around and assessed what you spend your day doing?  If I am going to spend hours away from my family and kids I have decided I better be doing something I love.  Selfish - to some, to me it's the only way to live.  I have scratched, clawed and cried my way to where I am today.  I do NOT want to go back to doing things that I don't enjoy doing. 

This is not to say I do not do one of the following on a weekly basis: clean the toilet, vacuum, wash windows, chase down a lost order, order supplies, empty the garbage, ship a package, write an email, negotiate a contract, clean out the fridge, upgrade the computer, add ink to the printer, re-do a corrupt file...the list goes on and on.  However, this is life and these jobs are few and far between - I used to spend my days doing ONLY these things, day in and day out.  I used to do it all....

It has been a long road, I took baby steps, I made changes, I fought some of them, yet I can honestly say MOST days I am doing what I love....um, I need to stop writing and start painting, before someone asks me to do something else....

So - I ask you dear reader, are you honestly doing what you love? (that was uh, not an open-ended question you can ACTUALLY respond you know....go ahead respond I know who you are!  Please...don't make me beg!) 

Merry....errr...Happy New Year?

IMG_0320
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 28, 2006

As 2006 is coming to a close I will be addressing my 'New Years' cards today. For the first time ever I did not send out Christmas cards. Well, one year truth be told I sent them out three days prior to Christmas and some lucky souls got them right before the holiday.

I took the advice from a good friend and fellow entrepreneur, Vicki Bodwell, she wrote about how she looked so forward to reading her friends cards, but could not ever get it together to get her own out. Her goal was to send out New Years cards after the crazy holiday season.

Each year, I also look forward to cards from friends and family, near and far. I love to see the photos and catch up on the special events of their lives. We get one card in particular that I can not wait to open and read each year. Our friend always makes her own cards, no not with a paste, glitter and some snowflake doilies.  Her cards are beautiful and creative with different paper and ribbons. They also have a 'point to ponder', an inspiration or a real good "food for thought" quote.  I save the points to ponder each year, and post it somewhere easy to read when I need some, uh, inspiration.

Taking her cue, I thought I would list my points to ponder for others that started a business or are thinking of starting one, or just take that leap of faith and jumping back into the work force, or uh, just hanging out. Here are my JPD Points to Ponder for 2007:

• The most destructive habit.................negativity, it spreads like wild fire
• The greatest sound...........................laughter, it is contagious
• The greatest joy................................giving back to your community, you should give back
• The greatest loss..............................loss of not doing, not taking the leap
• The most satisfying work...................doing what you love, and love what you are doing
• Our greatest natural resource.............our minds, it is a terrible thing for you to waste
• The greatest shot in the arm...............a pat on the back, even from yourself
• The greatest problem to overcome.......fear of not trying, go ahead and try
• The most effective sleeping pill............happiness with self, life and life choices
• The most crippling failure disease........excuses for why now is not the right time
• The most powerful force in life..............support of others, others will then support you
• The most dangerous pariah..................jealousy and gossip, it can eat you alive
• The most incredible computer..............your brain, your brain, your brain (got it?)
• The worst thing to be without...............hope, tomorrow is a new day
• The deadliest weapon.........................you, you can convince yourself out of anything
• The most powerful words....................."I can do this!"
• The greatest asset..............................faith in yourself and your vision
• The most worthless emotion................worry, it is money paid on a a debt you don't have
• The most contagious spirit..................enthusiasm!

Now go on out there and do something!!  Good luck, happy new year and happy resolutions!  I hope you all are able to make your wildest dreams come true in 2007!  To quote the sergeant from Hill Street Blues, "Hey people, let's be careful out there!" 

Be Over Prepared

November 5, 2006.

So, I may have written about this before, but it is such an important aspect of being an Mom and an entrepreneur.  I would like to say that I am ALWAYS prepared....but I am not:

• Last week we ran out of tiles and had make an emergency order
• For three weeks we have been waiting for one color of ribbon that was back ordered
• We had no batteries for our camera to film my daughter's Halloween Parade
• When our Printer could not use the lay out for our new brochure I had to scramble and back track to get another Printer involved
• When presenting quotes for a new component of our websites I forgot to get two second quotes (Accounting demands three quotes)
• Painting flowers in my daughters NEW room take not one but at least five coats of paint due to the dark coloring of the walls....
• Had to have a clock and two pillows for daughters room shipped over night
• Finished my son's costume hours before a big Halloween Party

However, I am getting very prepared, even over-prepared for a first ever event, gulp, I am going to be interviewed for a local TV show.  The film crew is going to film my children's rooms (hence the expedited shipping) and apparently interviewing me about Jamie's Painting & Design.

I am almost prepared (I think) I still have a thousand things to do before the interview but this I have done:

• I have to talked myself while driving about what I think they may ask me <check>
• I had my husband video tape me (oh how painful to watch myself and hear my voice) <check>
• I know the show backwards and forwards (what TIVO is for) <check>
• The rooms are touched up, spiffed, pillows fluffed, vacuumed, adjusted to death <check>
• I have researched the interviewee <check>
• I have asked for advice from other entrepreneurs <check>
• Taken advice from our publicist (bold colors bad, dark colors good) <check>
• And I have started a mantra "s-p-e-a-k  s-l-o-w-ly" <check>

And if all else fails I will tell a knock knock joke my son taught me....no I am kidding.  I feel pretty confident about the interview, my stomach IS doing sumersaults as I write this though.  The last thing a friend said to me when we spoke on the phone last week keeps ringing in my ears, "DO-YOUR-HOMEWORK". <CHECK>

And it Always comes back...

October 31, 2006.

The irony of this post is how I started my day...I read my news in the morning on www.cnn.com every day.  I always quickly scan the articles before logging on to my check email.  Today an article about Oprah giving away $300,000.00 caught my eye so I read it.  Unless you live under a rock you probably heard she gave $1000 to 300 people (oh not to forget Bank of America sponsored it too) insisting they must do something charitable with it, and then document it on there new DVD recorder.  I thought it was a great idea, and am anxious to see the show...then went on with my day.

So....today I got not one but two emails back confirming we were in two articles regarding 'giving back'.  Being the media savvy entrepreneur I always reply to emails from journalists or magazines looking for information for an article, or just sending some company information to an editor.  So, I did not think twice of sending out two separate responses to two separate requests on charitable things we did.

Let me back up a second, and mention we give back to the community, to victims of Hurricane Katrina, terminally ill children, families on EMHE (another blog), church functions, charity events, sponsor sport teams, etc.  I feel as a business owner it is my duty to give back.  I also feel blessed, lucky to have such success and damn it it feels good to help people.

I am happy we did give back, and I am happy to get some free publicity - I actually  hope it inspires others to give back too.  And I do agree with Oprah, who said, "I can honestly say that every gift I've ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I've given it to," (Amen, Oprah and psst.....call me!)

Tracking Visitors to Your site

October 18, 2006.

So, yesterday we had a big spike on our website, in fact it went up Monday and continued to go up on Tuesday.  Today we are going back down.  We had 12% of visitors to our site from Lafayette, California, and 34% were returning visitors from all over the United States.  In other parts of the world they are viewing our site also, London, Buenos Aires, Singapore and even Dubai!  Last week we had a record Monday with our biggest day ever of views to pages and almost all were new visitors, it was 3 times the average amount of viewers to our site.

So...how do I know this?  And if you have a company website YOU should know this too....

It's called Web Analytics, and there are many companies that do this...it's basically tracking activity and performance on your website.  Analytics measures whatever you want it to measure, effectiveness of a marketing campaign, measures traffic to a website, measures activity of a shopper - it's Big Brother for sure!

We use a free product from google (www.googleanalytics.com), and it gives us a glimpse at what our customer is doing.  Now, don't get me wrong I don't know exactly where they live, I don't know who they are, and I don't know what they are looking at.  And I believe it can be skewed....what if one person in Malaysia (not likely) looks at my site 45 times a day?  I am told it should be cookied and they will look at each user as a different visitor.

So, back to why the spike?  Our angel ornament was featured in Country Living's Holiday Gift Guide, however it hit newsstands back East over two weeks ago.  So, who knows?  We do not have a marketing campaign that we have been wanting to track, or an advertisement in a magazine.  We do PR and that is all we do.

Maybe some day I will be able to see you Jane Smith at 456 Elm Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan, looking at those Snowman ornaments over and over, and over again, tracking you as you explore our website.

Um, did I say loyal?

October 11, 2006.

I do consider myself a loyal business partner, and a loyal friend for that matter.  I have stood loyal by:

• Failing Sales Channels
• Companies that do not pay their bills on time
• Sales Representatives that do not 'represent' very well
• Contract Employees that were not working out
• Small companies that helped me develop my brand

That being said......I feel awful about something that happened today.  I have worked with a company for over three years.  It is a small business owner that has helped me in many ways.  I have gotten advice on computer programs, printers, color adjustments, paints to use, paper quality and weight, price cuts.  We have gotten free training, we have worked well together. 

However, we are now paying rent, we have an accountant, we have bills to pay.  So, for the first time ever I had to get multiple quotes, one from my friend, two others from strangers.  I got thee quotes and my loyal friend's quote was not the lowest.  We discussed it, I was honest and said I had to go with the lowest bid - I said it's business.

So, I gave the job to a new company, discussed the process and moved on.

Today, I got a call from my associate and he wanted to try to get a better price.  I reluctantly let him and assumed he could not match the price we had already established. Well, that's right he got a better price and he was asking us to go with his company.  To be honest, I was tempted to go with what I was familiar with and make my friend happy.  I almsot did, but then I thought about it for a few hours.

I had to go with my word, I gave my WORD to the other company and I had to stick with it.  I am nervous about branching out, I admit it.  I may get a raw deal, this is true.  However I have to stick with my word, even if others don't.

So, that being said I had to ask myself if i was loyal?  And yes, I still believe I am loyal, I will continue to use him and go to him for quotes, however I have to do what is best for my company.  It's not personal, it's business.  I have said THAT a number of times, so then why do I feel so crummy though?

Being Loyal in Business

October 2, 2006.

One of my favorite movies is The Godfather (1972) and the book is an incredible read also.  I have seen it numerous times and even did my final paper on it for a film class in college.  Yet, I did not realize how much I would re-use a quote from the movie after starting my own business:

Michael: Sonny...
Sonny: You're taking this very personal. Tom, this is business and this man is taking it very, very personal.
Michael: It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business.

This is true 99% of the time, even for women business owners this is true.  It is NOT personal, it is business.  Yet one is it personal?  When do you decide to make it personal?  When do you decide that you need to bend the rules?  When do you decide that this time it IS personal? 

Well I decided to make it personal last week.

I started this business in late 2002, yet did not pursue the web until middle of the year 2003.  I can remember doing searches on the web for products like mine and for top children's boutiques.  I would look at them over and over, not quite brave enough to call them or submit my products.

Then one day I got my nerve up and I sent an email to one of the sites I had admired for so many weeks. I sent a nice email, with a few attachments of photos of my products.  The owner actually called me on my 'new' business line I had just put in.  She was very nice, very complimentary and she really showed me what to do with getting my products on line.  She became an advocate and a friend who was also honest about my prices, even telling me I was charging too little, where instead she could have just marked her prices up.

Long story short, almost four years we have worked together, she used to talk to me and confide in me and really help me when no one else would.  I really appreciated her honestly and willingness to help some one she did not even know.  At the time, she was one of our biggest accounts.  Now at over 150 channels and climbing,and some major companies, her company is not one of our biggest - but that does not make her channel any less important to me.

So after working together for about two years she asked me a favor, not a big one, but a favor.  I was very willing to help her out and I agreed.  It was one of those 'what if' scenarios, and I was happy to oblige her, I owed her and I was loyal.

Well, this past week, that favor came a knockin', and I remembered my promise.  I called back my friend, had asked her about our conversation over two years ago.  She was dumbfounded that I a. remembered and b. was willing to keep my promise.  I told her I was loyal, that no amount of money was worth that.

We don't talk as much as we used, back in the day when we weren't as busy we talked weekly.  I do have fond memories of one conversation though, I told her something about me being so new to the business and I was just a small company, a nobody.  She actually raised her voice at me, scolded me and said, "You are NOT a nobody, you are a somebody.  And mark my word, some day you will be very successful, I know this about you.  I know you will be very big some day and you are already a somebody.  Don't ever say that again."

I miss those conversations.....