JPD Mom

Is the Economy Crashing Down?

April 1, 2008.

I have been keeping an eye on my industry, watching some stores, websites and companies closing since the beginning of the year. I have just been taking note and paying close attention to what was happening in my little neck of the woods.  I have not freaked out yet.....until last week, when I heard some disturbing news and it has made really think about the state of the economy - MY economy.  In case you missed the story, Babystyle filed for chapter 11 early last week, okay this really it shocked me.  Oh and did you hear that Lillian Vernon is restructuring their dept also?  I really don't like to hear anyone going out of business, even if it is not a company I work with directly. 

And, I am trying not to freak out, BUT (yes I am yelling).....this year when we sent out our newsletter to our channels about our shipping changes (read raised our price), our new products.....we lost a couple physical stores, a coveted spot in a bedding catalog and a number of websites.  Again, I tried to keep calm but I hate it when that happens!

What I find interesting is that when I got my trade magazines (via email that is) no one mentioned anything bad had happened.  Oh and don't forget the January shows, and in case you wondered the shows were all AMAZING.  I mean really?  I wonder how fab-u-lous the shows were, I am doubting that everyone is flush with cash, but that is just me. 

Anyhoo,   I had to actually search for the story about Babystyle after a friend told me about it.  Personally this hits me hard, a company in our industry that on the outside seemed to be growing in leaps and bounds.  It is hard when a big guys goes down, I personally start to wonder if they can't figure it out then how can little ol' me succeed in this economy? 

The possibility of a pitty party is highly likely.....having been a teenager in the last Recession I remember what it was like.  No, we were not dirt-poor but it is that fear hanging over your head and having to pay for everything and being a whopping 17 years old - not fun.  But I digress, and I have decided to stick my chin out, wait chin up stomach out?  What-eva I am gonna forge ahead... 

Focus on the Business

So, trying to keep the 'cranky pants' in the hamper I decided to look at where we were being smart with our finances.  Looking at the big picture works for us most the time - right now I am looking at the little stuff of my biz, and trying very hard not to totally freak out over sales for each month.....hold on I am hyperventilating, must get bag.......okay I am much better now.

These are some strategies we are trying, some are really working, and some are just a shot in the dark:

Grow the Good & Ignore the Bad

Our Birth Certificates continue to be best-sellers, certain themes obviously trump others, but all in  all these products totally kicks ass.  Not to brag, 'cause the product was not even my idea - another "shout out" to my mother, because it was all her, she actually had a dream and wala' they were born.  Anyway, the product itself continues to be a top seller, so we added about 10 new designs, 9 new designs this year and I am sure come July (that would be when I release Christmas products) I will have some more new ones.  If you have a product that is selling well in "these times" listen to your gut and expand the line - I mean now is not the time to love the ugly step-child product and put your head in the sand.  If it sells - sell it!

Ways to Expand

Again, we have found our products may do well on other mediums, and are experimenting with this.  We are going to try out a new outlet for sales and we are expanding to licensing.  If my art can make me more money right now - woo hoo, let's go.  We are exploring new sales channels, we are looking into other mediums, we are finding ways to leverage good relationships - make them grow. 

I am lucky to work with some large companies, companies with deeper pockets than mine.  Our goals and our upcoming projects include hopefully some promotion, some exclusive designs and some advertising with larger companies

Give Away the Farm

Another way to get your word out, to expand and do free advertising - give away products.  I currently am giving gift baskets away to two organizations.  I have two pending gift baskets for two other organizations that I may choose to donate to.  I don't say yes to everyone, I do return favors and I do understand the helping is important.  Even if times are tight for us, I can only imagine how hard it is for non-profit organizations.  It feels good to help too - it really does.

Make Cut Backs

We have had to cut back on some of our regular perks, let me re-phrase that, we "chose" to cut-back before we had to.  I don't mean anything crazy like toilet paper or Diet Coke and water - but the cleaning service we used is taking a break.  Looking at the bottom line, trying to project the future sales and being frugal - not a fun job, but a necessary thing to do.  Of course this means that it is back to me cleaning toilets and dusting, but that is what I signed up for.  Not a bad thing, makes me appreciate the office, and there is something to be said for getting down and dirty.

Discounts & Sales

We started to look at our inventory and see what products were not selling well.  We will probably put one on sale to soften the blow.  It will be a concerted effort to move the product now, just get some money in our pockets.  I follow margins pretty closely and I obsess over how much we make on each product.  It has taken me a long time though to realize even if I love it,  but no one is buying it - it is a dud, my poor little ugly step-child of product line.

What Can Be Done For Free?

One way I try to grow my brand, especially without spending a ton of money.  Can you put stickers on your packages? Can you start a blog?  Should you add a gift card to all packages thanking your customer for choosing you over your competitors?  Why not add a special discount code.....or start selling gift certificates for direct sales that is.  Now, I am not suggesting you try and steal customers from your channels, or get sneaky and snake a sale direct that would go to a channel.  I would never suggest that - I have scruples.  However, you can make the sale as attractive as possible right now.

We look at what areas can be expanded, you know "give a little bit".  If you don't offer gift-wrap,  maybe now you should start.  Do you have a "cheaper" version of your product - release it now.  Have you sent out any press releases lately?  Should you do some sales calls....do them now, make what you sell sound better, give a bit more.  I personally would rather stay afloat, and tighten my belt then put my head in the sand.

This Too Shall Pass

I read an article a few months ago about what to do with the state of the economy today.  I read many schmaltzy ideas.....I mean holistic ideas, using the Universe ( I swear I did) and how tried and trued marketing would work.  The best advice I thought was that you had to keep the customer coming to you, no matter for how small a purchase.  Make sure they kept coming, because the economy will turn around and if you don't try to keep them, they will NEVER come back. 

A Read, A JPD Giveaway, and Please Help Out

March 20, 2008.

Silicon Valley Mom Blog

I did get a chance to post a few blogs on a blog I write for called Silicon Valley Mom Blog.  I wrote a piece titled "Dear SAHM" asking why I always get so judged at my children's school.  I am not assuming anything - these were real things said to me on more than one occasion - it has stirred up quite a few um feelings (not all good).  Any of you working mom's want to chime in?  Please do....

Advertisement(s) for Licensing

So.....I am still trying to get licensing work ready, get new products to market, um work, handle Easter party(s), keep house clean, take care of family....oh and design an ad (yes another ad) in 2 weeks!  Please note, the dimensions are very specific - and I get one image and 50 words or less.  I have taken 3 paintings and plopped them on the "ad" sheet.  Please, please do a girl a favor and give me a comment and tell me which you like best.....I am sure I will do another 3 or 4 tonight.  Pirate? Football? Baby?  Stop me - please!

                                                                      Ad # 1 "The Bugs & Butterflies"

I know, I know super tiny, but I only did a mock-up, my super talented graphic designer will have to help me lay it out.  I just want you to get the feel...and the 50 words of copy, sort of garbage I wrote looking at other advertisements.  Trust me - tiny is good.  Do you like the feel of this? Is the art strong?

Ad # 2 "Safari Guide Dudes"

I like this one, it shows my "style" (whatever that is) but it is also very boyish, and if you want to know the truth, girl stuff always trumps boy stuff.  We sell twice as much girl stuff as boy stuff.  I would like to see more boy stuff out there, considering I have one  - but again, best art to show my talent?  Best use of my skills?

Ad #3 "Sail Away"

This one is okay, sailing and sailboats - not best sellers - but the colors pop.  Sometimes when I design I am in a "girly girly girl" mood, other times - all boy, all masculine things.  I love the Nautical theme, but it is not always an over the top best seller.

Ad #4 "Hey Diddle Diddle"

I guess this would be "baby, baby, baby" if there was an actual description for it.  It is one of my favorite birth certificates I designed - I love the little cow.  I am reaching at this point, I realize this one needs the little dog laughing and a border....agreed? A border?

Ad # 5 "Princess Fairies"

This one is a sort of um, threw it together in 20 minutes piece of art.  I really was looking for the "feel" of princess, and would probably do a close up of a crown, or a princess, or a more cartoony looking princess painting.

Free Give Away

Thank you for your troubles - I have a hard time (usually) asking for advice.  However, graphic design is not my strong point - and I know now (older wiser) that I need to get some feed back.  For your troubles you can go see this give away:

In case anyone wants some free stuff....that would be a $65.00 gift certificate to spend at Jamie's Painting & Design.  Click here to leave a comment and get in the drawing!  I don't k now if anyone who reads this actually needs themselves some ceramic keepsakes, but thought I would give ya a heads up. 

Big or Small Business

March 10, 2008.

A week or so ago I was on the phone with another person like me, a mom and an entrepreneur if you will.  We were going over some project we were working on and I had to interrupt the conversation.  It went something like this;

"I have to leave early today."

"How come?"

"I have to go to UPS to drop off our orders."

"Don't you have a pick-up?"

"Yes, we do have a daily pick-up, but our shipping clerk is on vacation and the UPS driver has still not come to pick up our packages.  And since everyone has left for the day, that means I get to deliver the packages."

"Doesn't that make you feel so small? I hate that."

Just Do the Work

Ouch!  And yes, the answer is a big fat in your face YES!  If you run your own business and you sell choch-keys, art, knick-knacks, whatever you sell - you get what I am talking about.  I know my Fed Ex driver by first name, I know my UPS driver's day off, and my mailman's route - no I really do.

When I have to go "to the UPS store" I walk in with my packages I always want to tell them that I am the owner of the company and we have a shipping clerk, we have an warehouse, no really we do....do you know who Ellen is?  I am kidding , I don't start shouting out facts about me - but it is true, I schlep a load of packages looking like Suzy McCrafty-Craftison and I am usually dragging along a child or two.  I really should get over myself, I know that - it just sucks when you are handing over 45 packages for 20 minutes in the rain to the local UPS store....not my regular job.

A Real Small Business

I could rattle off all the things that I do on a daily basis that make me feel super small, and under utilized.  I think it just comes with the territory of owning your own business.  It also comes with my perfectionist, controlling, mommy guilt issues that I carry around on my shoulders on a daily basis too.  I guess there is no perfect job out there where you love every aspect of it.  I often hear "newbies" say that they so love all parts of their job.  I always think, really?  All parts? - I mean it's okay to put your cranky pants on every once in awhile, we promise not to take away your "Mompreneur" card.   

The conversation struck a cord with me, I mean she nailed it.  It made me feel soooo small.  I agreed completely with her and sort of snorted that she felt the same way I did - and she had been where I am.  Hand delivering our packages makes me feel soooo small. As long as we were commiserating I had to chime in with my thought;

"It just feels like 4 steps forward, and then another 2 steps back."

"Maybe that is just the way it is with small business, maybe we should expect the set-backs"

Be Prepared

I hate to expect the worst out of my business or assume that set-backs are in my future, I really want to walk around with rose colored glasses, quote the Secret, ask the Universe for fabulous things and whistle while I work.  I try to do this, I think I am mostly happy.  However, it is very true that you need a back-up plan, you also need to be willing to do what it takes to get the job done.  This may sound silly and so obvious, but if you are starting a business and raising children - you know that you just have to do it. 

You need to put on your big girl panties, roll your sleeves up and well sometimes you need to do the dirty work.  No matter how big you are (or think you are), you may need to:

• Unload 20 cases of tile
• Empty the garbage
• Vacuum the floor
• Organize the break room
• Gift wrap the packages
• Call AT&T about the phone system
• Fill out all the forms for a new vendor
• Fax and email all your channels about a price increase
• Send out your own press releases one at a time to various publications
• Clean the toilets
• Drive to the UPS Store and the Fed Ex drop-off location (my personal favorite)

Please don't think I am complaining or feeling sorry for myself - well maybe I am a tad pissy today - hence not posting for a week (please forgive).  I just think that it is necessary to view all aspects of owning your own business.  There may come a day when I do not still jump in and do the work, but I think it is a must that you do.  It makes you remember where you came from, where you started and how far you have come.

It Had to be Done

Over Christmas our orders were piling up and there was no way our Shipping Clerk was going to be  able to get them all done before our pick-ups (yes, yes I made sure that the drivers picked up over the holiday season).   Our accountant, our book keeper and the woman who does Ribbon (Ribbon Artist?) all came into the warehouse and we shipped together.  I am happy to say my husband even came into the office to help out with all the "stuff" we had to do. 

Just like the old days, I just rolled up my sleeves, turned up the radio and I started packaging like a mad woman.   I just did what I had to do.  It actually felt good to be back in the trenches and working side by side - I don't want to do it every day, but it felt good to hand over all those packages.  I guess small is okay.....what do you think?

My Whole Life is To Do List

January 18, 2008.

I think that it is official, I am almost positive I hate January.  I mean I don't hate it for being the month after Christmas and we wake up with a Holiday Hangover and house full of rowdy children that must go back to school soon.  I don't hate it because it is very cold out, and my plants are dead, and my bank account is depleted, sales slow down after Christmas rush,and um did I mention the cranky children?  Oh don't forget that we have to figure out taxes, look at losses, look at the business, see what did well and what did not.  No, nothing depressing about this month. 

Looking Back at 2007

Last year at this time I had my little distraction problem, and really had to cheer up and get over myself.  I came out with an enormous (read way too many new designs) amount of new products in January, more in the Spring and then, whew new Christmas products.  Some parts of 2007 were exciting, some stressful, others things were sort of depressing and some just sad.  I made some new friends and I definitely had a good time, maybe some would say too much fun.  Business is still going good, and with the stress of the economy, even some talking of a recession - we are fine.  No, we are not fabulously wealthy and go buy a Mercedes in your Gucci sunglasses, toting your LV purse - but good none the less.

Time for Resolutions

I am trying very hard to get my To Do List in order, and finish the items that were left from December, or gulp, even November.  My To Do List is really not a list, it is actually more of a pad of paper, that has oh somewhere from about 50 to maybe 100 action items.  Then, I have ideas jotted down, new product ideas, possible blog posts, um some family things to attend to.... I have the best intentions, I really do - but sometimes other factors kick you in the butt and you have to sit back and wait.

So I followed another's lead and I started sending out emails, I was getting leads, pitches, sales calls out - either phone call, email or fax.  I had my list and I was checking it twice, I have a new project, I moved forward, PR leads, catalog that wanted items, went on to next thing on the list.  The last two weeks I was on a mission - moving forward, making headway.  I did not go down the list in order of important to crazy....nooooo I picked and chose, played favorites of things I wanted to do.  What do I get from all my hard work?

• Silence
• Nothing
• Nada
• No call backs
• No returned emails
• I get bupkiss (I do love this expression, I had a friend who had a dog name Bupkiss)

What About Me?

Do you ever have days when the phone never rings, and you think the party left you behind?  When you are sitting around humming that Talking Heads song, and mumbling to self "how did I get here?"   Okay well, this past week has been sort of slow.  Do you get out the party hats and throw yourself a little pity party?  No, just me huh? 

For the most part I am trying not to take any of it personal, because people are busy and it is business - not personal.  And for every door that is shut, another is open.  OH wait, every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.....ya, ya I have given myself  a pep talk.  Yes I have read an Oprah Magazine, and yes I have a short ski vacation coming up.  I am also trying to come up with a few easy solutions, and get my priorities straight.....

Work for Today

1. Make shorter lists - a manageable one with like maybe 10 items....NO let's start with only 5
2. Make a personal list for family things
3. Make a To Do list for JPD things.....I know sounds so simple
4. Say No and mean it.  I used to be good at this - I need to NOT take all things on
5. Make a schedule - I said this earlier, yes and now I need to stick with it
6. Focus on the good - easy to do in December with orders flying in, more important NOW
7. Let others help me out - this is a tough one for me but I need to do it

I guess less is more...well for today it is.  I only have 6, okay I just added another, 7 things on my....wait I need to do one more, okay 8 - that is it 8 things.....doh, oops  I have nine.  Darn it - I swear I will stop at 10!  Did I say 10?  Wait, wait - I meant 12....no just 12, no more - I promise!  I promise! 

Sending a Clear Message to Customers

December 5, 2007.

I am still doing my 12 Days of Entrepreneur Interviews.....it looks like it might be a tad shy of 12 though and starting a teensy bit late.  I hope to start posting those this weekend so that I can post a few times a week, and move on with all the Christmas orders.  By moving on I mean um, well let's see; make new inserts, do last minute PR, send some art for new project, Get TV interview set up, help package coasters, ship products, fix tiles, make calls, ship products, help ship more products, put out fires, take orders on phone, answer questions, ship products again?  and sneak out to buy a Christmas gift (shhh....do NOT tell the boss.  Am I babbling yet?)

Holiday Cut-Off Dates

So, if you are a frequent reader of this blog you know that I tend to be super-organized and anal about getting information out to my sales channels.  I like to make sure that all my ducks are in a row and I am really good about Holiday Cut-Off Dates.  I send out an email or fax in September to all channels.  It lists our cut-off dates for personalized products, non-personalized products, company closure dates and any RUSH fees that may be attached to any items rushed in the holiday season.

After my "Were Not Gonna Take It" tantrum if you will, I decided to be productive and competitive.  I not only shortened my turn around times, I also extended my holiday cut-off dates.  I have been doing this a long time, blah, blah blah - you know the drill - I shorten the turn around times at the end of the year so that we can get our products to our customers for Christmas.  Doing a quick poll (cruising websites) on line of other ceramic and company's that make personalized products, 8 have already stopped taking orders and another two stop tomorrow. 

We take personalized orders till December 12th, midnight PST, Non-personalized December 17th.  I am not bragging (well, maybe I am, but trying to get a point across).  We are able to take orders, turn them around quicker due to our very efficient procedures and dedication - the later you order a product, the shorter our turn around times are.  After re-reading what I wrote, I am hearing this quote in my head;

"Face it ladies, I am older and I have more insurance." Towanda, Fried Green Tomatoes

Sending The Right Message

This year I have had not one, but at least five different conversations/emails asking what my cut-off dates are.  I am not sure why the confusion this year (I usually just modify the email I have used year after year) over my information.  I was told only once by a sales channel that not only did I send out too much information, I also had too many designs to choose from.....my response was "oh and that is a bad thing?"

So, the old me would have gotten all huffy and puffy and irritated that sales channels did not pay close attention to the email.  The new and improved me (that would be positive me that blogs and others in the industry read what I write - no I am kidding), I mean the older (read wiser) me thought different.  Obviously some where in the email I was not clear on my dates.  If more than one channel is having a difficult time understanding when I stopped taking orders - you can blame it on me.  I do not exactly know how I was not clear, but it is clear to me(now) I was not clear - okay strange sentence.  Great now I am repeating myself....

I sent out another email yesterday to clarify and reiterate that I was still taking orders and YES they would arrive by Christmas, and YES we will ship in time and YES we really mean it.  We still have a whole week to go, and I did not want to lose out on any business, or not have my message be 100% clear to everyone.

Moving Forward

The race between the tortoise and the hare is really not about who is faster, it is about who is able to withstand the long race.  The slow and steady tortoise does not tire out, he keeps plugging along.  I am still baffled that I was not clear with information on dates, but oh well - life goes on.  I have a hard time focusing this time of the year I get so many "that's a good idea" and "ooh I can do that next year"* I need to take notes and put them away, or make a sketch and get back to work.  At this time of the year there is really no time to think - you just do.  No questions asked, take the order, make the order, ship the order........NEXT!

*Disclaimer so that everyone understands that I mean I think of an idea driving, or I envision a new ornament design, or a new way of positioning my products, or a new theme.  I did NOT mean "OOOH look what so-and-so is doing I am going to copy her and do THAT!"  Okay?  I swear, I pinky-promise swear.  Really, really!

12 Days of Christmas at JPD

December 3, 2007.

On the first day of Christmas my employee gave to me, a un-paid bill for AT&T.

On the second day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 2 missing orders, and I still need to pay AT&T.

On the third day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 3 chipped tiles, 2 (still) missing orders, and where is the bill for AT&T?

On the fourth day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 4 customers calling, 3 cracked tiles, 2 late orders, and I can't find the bill for AT&T.

On the fifth day of Christmas my employee gave to me....5 Special Orders...4 customers on hold, 3 flawed tiles, 2 found orders, and I can't remember if I paid AT&T.

On the sixth day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 6 invoices needing paying.......5 Special Orders....4 angry customers, 3 broken tiles, 2 shipped orders, and now rent is due from me.

On the seventh day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 7 new orders, 6 invoices need paying....5 Special Orders....4 furious customers, 3 totaled tiles, 2 invoiced orders and now I owe another company.

On the eighth day of Christmas my employee gave to me 8 broken drill bits, 7 orders ready, 6 past due invoices....5 Special Orders....4 customers on hold, 3 messed-up tiles, 2 happy customers, a second notice from AT&T.

On the ninth day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 9 ornaments needed wrapping, 8 broken drill bits, 7 orders with ribbon, 6 now paid invoices....5 Special Orders....4 pissed-off customers, 3 scratched tiles, 2 returned orders and past due rent bill from me.

On the tenth day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 10 credit cards declined, 9 ornaments needing shipping, 8 new drill bits, 7 packed up orders, 6 new invoices....5 Special Orders....4 lost customers, 3 ruined tiles, 2 re-shipped orders and a third notice from AT&T.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my employee gave to me 11 lost plates, 10 credit cards declined, 9 packed-up ornaments, 8 drills-a-drilling, 7 billed orders, 6 past due invoices....5 Special Orders....4 new customers, 3 smudged tiles, 2 missing shipments and a mean landlord notice given to me.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my employee gave to me, 12 packages for shipping, 11 found plates, 10 stores bankrupt, 9 late ornaments, no more drills-a-drilling, 7 late orders, 6 collection notices....5 Special Orders....4 dead phone lines, 3 piles of tiles, 2 canceled orders and my phone lines are dead thanks to AT&T. 

The Stress of the Holiday Season

November 30, 2007.

I have a new personal best or I mean worst for 2007, one I am not so proud of .  It is not even December and I have already had my emotional break-down or freak-out session. 

I have already had one good cry about the state of things I was even "snappy" (read bitchy) with my graphic designer.......oh wait I cried twice, dang I wish I was better at math!   Now, do not get me wrong, it feels good to cry and I am not proud of it, but I did do it in private.  Let me back up a tad, so you do not think I am having a nervous breakdown:

Short on Inventory

The beauty or the beast of having an office that runs itself is that unless something breaks, I have no idea it is broken.  Our tiles, ornaments and plates have all been ordered on a regular basis this year, by our buyer.  Everyone else sees a supply getting low and they tell her - she orders more.  We have been keeping up on inventory, we have been watching, ordering, all good.

Well, as I mentioned earlier, we do 40% to maybe 60% of our business between November and December.  So that means we need....40% to 60% more supplies - right?  Well, no one accounted for ornaments orders to start coming in the triple digits, no matter how many times I mentioned it.

Back to - I am in charge, I take the fall - yep, that is right, it becomes my fault.  I had to make tough calls on Monday to beg for another 600 more ornaments, order a pallete of tiles.  It is all good, we have enough tiles, plates, shipping supplies - you name it we now got it!  As soon as the ornaments arrive I will give a huge sigh of relief, until then I am on a permanent edge.

Mistakes, Blunders & Corrections

Mistakes happen, it is a fact of life.  We have them, we fix them and about 99% of the time we catch it before it goes out the door - which then puts a bit of a stress on us.  See, we then put that at the top of the "to-do list" (gee I wish it was that simple, you know we have a whole system set up for each product line right?)  Usually these things do not send anyone here over the edge, it will just ship on the next shipping day (we ship twice a week).  But, you um, add the tile-plates-ornaments-shipping supplies-shortage-syndrome to the mix....fire drill every time.  Think Chicken Little yelling, "The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!"

Catching the errors before they go out the door is key.  Our Quality Assurance is usually very good, and we continue to be very good.  The few times an error is made - we almost always catch it.  This time of the year, not only do we need a few extra set of hands but some extra eye-balls are a big help too!  If you stare at an order long enough though - be careful you will go crazy and write something crazy "Merry Hanukkah Stumpy 2001" ----- don't ask, really please don't ask.

Snotty Emails

It is a prooven fact that email is one of the worst ways to communicate.  I just read about how we have become a society of terrible writers due to email.  The fact that people do not know that writing in ALL CAPITALS is yelling is down right embarrassing.  I am guilty of writing bad emails, and having email fights with people - I should know better.   

With stress level so high now, and orders flying in at a record pace....I need to remember to take the time and write kind emails.  It is not going to help anyone if I TELL THEM WHAT THEY DID WRONG like that.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Damn-it!

For any mother with school age children I think the stress starts the day after Thanksgiving.  I literally am calm, cool and collect and then BAM it's Christmas time.  My children have both asked me at least 342 times already when we are getting a tree and when the decorations are going up.  My standard "Tuesday" answer is not good enough any longer.  I am trying very hard to enjoy this holiday season like they are, and not stress about how I have........not one gift purchased, no Christmas photographs, no holiday cards picked designed, no tree up, no decorations put up, no lights on the house and no idea when I will get to any of these things done.

So, with all of these things adding up, and a couple other doozies - that equals me having a cry.  As long as I do not end up with a double bout of the flu this year - I am hoping to not cry again.  Unless it's that good cry when my daughter makes me a special Christmas card in class - now that is worth getting teary-eyed over.

Jamie's Painting & Design Newsletter I

November 26, 2007.

"Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!"  I am seriously dating myself - we watched Ren & Stimpy in college and I always tend to resort to this one song when things are going well.  I loved that show! 

It's Cyber Monday people - let's all get our credit cards out and start shoppin' on line!

Apparently I can not figure out the darn - link to my newsletter thing (sorry Michelle I honestly tried) but hence almost 9 years out of the computer animation field has left me a tad bit rusty.  Okay, well I never really got HTML code, I just sauntered over to the engineer in the cube  next to me.  So, here is the newsletter for all to see, feel free to use the discount code.  Maybe sometime soon I can get that Newsletter button thing-a-giggy on my blog and website (yes, yes, I know it's simple I just want it to look nice and all pretty).

Happy Shopping!

Do You know the Stress Monster?

September 17, 2007.

"Do you know the Stress Monster? The Stress Monster? The Stress Monster? Do you know the Stress Monster that lives very deep in my brain?  Yes, I know the Stress Monster, the Stress Monster, Yes I know the Stress Monster that...."  (sung of course to the tune of the Muffin Man - volunteered in the Kindergarten class, sorry)

Well - guess what?  I do!! I know him! I know him well, my friend....but then again if you are an entrepreneur you would have to know that little bugger.  This November I will have been in business for five years.....five long, wonderful, stressful years.    I did not know him nearly as well as I thought I did - until I started my business that is.  Some years we are very close, other years he does not visit that often, he really keeps his distance.  However, he always loves to come for an extended stay right around the holiday season though- but who doesn't love Christmas?

This year, uh - let's just say Mr. Stress Monster has parked his big ol' Stress ass on my couch, he is watching TV, eating Cheetos, drinking beer, making a royal mess, and does not seem to be leaving anytime soon - I think he showed up around the beginning of June.  The worst part of it is that sometimes he actually wakes me up in the middle of the night to discuss things (okay, truth be told he does it EVERY night around 3:00 a.m.)  No, I swear I think he has moved in permanently....

All kidding aside ,the long term effects stress are known too well, and all of my friends, family members and doctor have informed me of them - they are not good.  So, I had to figure out why I was so stressed:

1. No Office Coordinator It has been a little over five weeks since we (me) let our office coordinator go.  And it has been five very long weeks of me doing, well what I used to do - processing orders, kitting orders, answering order questions, printing orders, checking orders, confirming orders, gift messages, emptying garbages, answering order questions......basically the stuff that I spent the last 10 months slowly removing from my plate.  I have done this managing the office, processing orders thing before - and I am NOT that good at it.  I do NOT want to work this many hours any more - I want to do other things.  Now, before you scoff at me and assume I am a spoiled-entrepreneurial-brat, do know I CAN do it, I am just at a place (did I mention five years?) that I do not want to.  Nor, do I think it is the best use of my time.

2. Atlanta Gift Show...NOT!  The show did not go as planned, it was not a great show.  It was a huge financial suck on the business (I did have some fun though).  On a side note, I have not heard great things about the ABC Kids Expo, which I was hoping to exhibit at next year - so I do think the industry is changing.  Again, this does NOT make me feel all warm and fuzzy - it scares the *8&^%$ out of me.  Thank God I am immersed and heavily integrated in some wonderful websites - because the Trade Shows seem to be dwindling.  If you are snubbing your nose at the Internet - be warned - the Internet is here to stay, so be niiiice.

3. Ho -Ho - Ho It's Frickin' Christmas!  This is the best and worst of time for our business....best because we can do up to 40% of our sales between October and December.  Worst because....well our work load doubles, then triples, then quadruples - week after week.  If I am not on top of my homework/holiday/party shopping game then....well Mommy starts to get a wee bit cranky!  Not complaining - it is a fact, it is part of the business, but it does stress me out.

4. Your Competition Can and Will Kill You!  Okay, a bit drastic - yes, but this is the truth.  While you were sleeping, or changing processes, or inking a licensing deal, some other company can and will take your business.  There are business classes right now studying why some Internet companies failed and others blew the top of the Internet.  I do not think competition is bad - I think copying is bad.  I think that when someone or some company is slowly creeping into your space you can do one of two things; beat them to the punch, or punch them (I am kidding....but tempted).  Sometimes the winner, or the success story of a given industry is NOT the trail-blazer, sometimes it is the very smart, very crude, very shrewed business woman.

From my tone you can probably tell I am tad bit irritated - and trying to SAY something but not SAYING it.  No seriously - I can NOT ignore the problem (ya right, me ignore it?), or I could call them out on it (won't do much good - what will I say - you are copying me and that is NOT nice!)  I will delve into this subject much more (with hopefully some experts and other like-minded people), and will not be so vague....let's just say I know who you are and I know what you are doing.  Again - anyone that is not stressed out by their competition slowly creeping into their space - get your head out of the sand woman - wake up!  Something needs to be done!

So, those are my top reasons - did not even delve into the soccer/start of school/bathroom remodel/dog ear problem/re-new our lease/car accident (someone hit my parked car)/family/no voice something on back of throat/student conferences......uh, oh - dang I just mentioned it!  Oh well, figure we are all in the same boat! 

Would love to know what you do to relieve the stress, because my answer is blogging!

Life is like....

June 15, 2007.

One of my favorite movies is Forrest Gump.  It never gets old to yell at my son, "Run Forrest! RUN!"  Forrest also has a line that I (as do many other people) quote frequently; My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." 

Well, if he was correct then I have my own quote, to describe my life as a small business owner:

"Running a small business is like box of fireworks.  You never know when part of it is going to explode"

If you recall in an earlier blog I showed an advertisement I had designed and published in the Atlanta Gift Marts Buyers' Guide.  It was a big risk, cost a lot of money, blah blah, blah.  Well, the book dropped last week and the company that was sharing the ad with us started getting calls, we got none.  This week, she continued to get calls, we got none.

As you can imagine I have been sweating it a bit and not wanting to share this bit of news with my employees or especially my bookkeeper and accountant.  I was trying to stay positive; I was hoping that the book had just not gotten all the way across the country.  My answer came in the following voicemail message:

"Hi Jamie this is London and I got a call from a woman that is interested in ordering samples from you.  Um, there was a problem though and she can't seem to get through on your toll free number so she called me.  You may want to check that your number is working.  I can give you her information…"

I was driving in my car when I got this message; fireworks were going off ..fast.  I quickly called our toll-free number and thankfully got someone at the office to pick up.  I then sort of frantically asked them to check the number in the ad.  Yep, the number for the ad was listed as an 800 number; our number is an 866 number.

My heart sank, I did almost start to cry.  But then I decided NO, I would not do this.  I immediately called the 800 number I listed and spoke with the operators, gave them my correct number and apologized to them about the mis-print.  My friend, London put a message on her voicemail about the mis-print.  Our email works, our website works, and heck we will BE at the show if buyers are interested in store samples.  We have been telling the stores now that it was a mis-print, and tsk-tsk isn't it a shame?

Please know the old Jamie would have wallowed, swore, cried, pouted, swore some more, cried.  I would have just been sooooo mad at myself and everyone else that came in contact with the ad.

But the very day this happened on was no ordinary day.  You see on this particular day I had to go to my son's school in the morning and attend a memorial and dedication for a little boy that passed away earlier this year.  He was a friend of my sons.  I stood there and watched as the students spoke of memories of him, sang his favorite song, dedicated a bright purple bench (his favorite color) to the school and saw his parents sit up there stoically as all this was done in his memory.  My heart broke for them, not knowing the loss they must endure day after day.

That box of fireworks, with about ten going off, when I found about the error I made, hmmm, yes true.  However, not that big of a problem or concern for me.  This is my life.

Relax Jamie...How Bad Can It Be?

As you can probably tell from my lack of regular consistent posting the stress of preparing for the Atlanta Gift Show, Christmas products, the end of the school year, work, life have all started to kind of creep into my regular weekly routine.   It is interesting because when things are stressful and intense it is like the one who yells loudest gets ALL the attention.   Similar to my children fighting for attention from me when I am trying to work.  I tend to put out fire after fire, instead of having a plan.  So being of total stressed mind and exhausted body, I started thinking about what I could and should do to uh....move things along:

1. Decorate with a little Flouncy Flouncy

I decorate, shop a tad, or more accurately re-decorate my house, my office, my back yard, my car - uh, well not the car per say.  But that might not be a bad idea with some of those things to hang on the mirror that smell nice, some new seat covers....sorry I uh digress.  I have found that though this is NOT the best use of my time it helps me sleep at night and relaxes me.  Exercising, reading, drinking, eating,  meditating, napping - nope, nope, nope - move some furniture around and hang a few pictures - bingo! 

Have you ever just re-arranged the items in your house?  Or painted something?  Paired it with some other item, created a whole new look?  No?....well, I have.  It makes my house seem fresh, new - it makes me very happy.  It also forces me to throw out old items, put things away, clean and basically do some spring cleaning.

I did this all last night as the kids played, and watched a little TV.  I did not work on wholesale documents, I did not paint new designs, I did not write a press release, I did not put a sales package together I did not (gulp) blog.  But, I feel great!  I feel re-freshed.  I got in the office today and got straight to work.

I think you need to find out what relaxes you, make it work for you and do that.  When you have a to do list that is longer than your arm it helps to walk away.  Now don't get me wrong, I am gonna pay for it by working late tonight, tomorrow, this weekend.  But, um my house looks great! 

I really have the urge to paint my bedroom this weekend (please don't tell my husband).   I still got a little Martha in me I guess.  Okay somebody stop me before I hurt myself.

2. Dressing down, waaay down

I will not degrade myself by showing you a photograph of my recent work attire, but trust me it was not pretty.  Anything that includes sweats, pig tails, no shower, no make up...is not an attractive look for me. Jeans and t-shirts have also been pretty popular staple for the last week or so.  Now, this is a step up from what I would have worn had I still worked out of the home (My Mom thought the slippers I wore last winter," were not very professional" as she reminded me of it again this year) a few years ago.

Although it may not be "professional" or give off a great first impression - it is what I need at this time.  Selfishly I need to do what works for me.  And since I have more paper on my desk than in my file cabinets at this very moment, I am pretty sure my casual attire will help me get the work I need to get done.  I know other entrepreneurs that handle stress differently, some don't sleep, some get massages.  Normally I would argue that leaving work is selfish and not productive.....however, being in the thick of it and suffocating from the mountain of work to do - I say go ahead.  Find what relaxes you and do it, do it fast.  Before that nervous tick starts to set in.....

To quote a former employee (who just graduated and is on to bigger and better things)would say, "Go find your happy place Jamie!"  Clara, thank you and I am doing just that. Welcome to the working world!  Good luck!

I'm Your Biggest Fan!

So...I know, I know I have already spent another recent blog blabbing about the greatness of the marketing guru known as Seth Godin; I am an avid reader of his blog, I just devoured one of his books and am on to the next; I find myself quoting him, and when speaking with others I often scoff, "What do you mean you have not heard of Seth Godin?" And then I realized  I was talking to my daughter's nursery school teacher.  By the time I tried to engage my poor husband in a marketing/advertising debate I thought.........I um, may have a bit of a problem.  I may need to venture out and read something else. 

Yet, I feel the universe had a different idea - I just got the latest issue of Entrepreneur Magazine and quickly started reading it cover to cover.  You will never guess who was a featured in an article?  Go on.....guess!  Guess! Guess!  GUESS!  Yep, my hero, Mr. Godin, the Marketer with the Mostest......he was interviewed about knowing when an Entrepreneur should either cut their losses or keep going, you can read about it in his new book The Dip......Okay um, I really do have a problem. 

Anyhoo.....

First what I love about Seth Godin is his honesty and ability to look at the world of marketing, and marketing your product different.  He sites different ways companies have succeeded and failed marketing their products.  He  tells, if not dares you to become that purple cow, become something that stands out from the pack.   If you were driving down the road and saw a purple cow that would make you stop.  How do you become that purple cow though?  One way was to find your Sneezers: 

Sneezers -  Sneezers are people that spread an idea.  They find something new and they tell their colleagues, friends, admirers about a new product or service.  They are the ones who launch and maintain a products success, or ensures it has legs.  If you are going to rise above the pack you need some Sneezers.  These days they can be writers of blogs, E-Newsletters, E-Zines, Celebrities, Moms, Columnists, Oprah, Dog owners, Donut eaters - all depends on the industry. 

A Sneezer has to be someone who not only likes to tell others about a great product or service, but they are considered a credible source.  They need to be someone people listen to and tend to follow, or take advice from.  Someone who is influential in there groups, an expert in the given topic.  If the crazy lady that walks around my neighborhood with no pants on (true story) tells me about a new restaurant I won't uh, be so ready to eat there.  Yet my good friend who is a brilliant cook and eats out all the time.....you get where I am going with this?

If you are lucky enough to have found some Sneezers, congratulations! You should ask yourself these questions though:

What are you doing to keep them happy? 

Do you listen to them? 

Do you cater to their needs? 

These Sneezers are your most important customers.  Love the Sneezers....cater to your sneezers! 

When you try to sell your product to everyone, you water it down, dilute it.  You will not be an amazing product when you try to sell to everyone.  Sneezers will ignore you.  Think of what a mediocre fast food restaurant In-N-Out Burger would be if they kept adding items to the menu.  They would not be a Purple Cow in a sea of other cows.  People will drive for miles just to eat a burger that is "Animal Style", but really will they drive for miles to get another chicken sandwich?

We have been in business for almost five years.  I have been asked on many occasions to put my art on canvas and sometimes wood.  I refuse.  It is not that I am a dumb business woman - but that is not what Jamie's Painting & Design is about.  You could not call it a ' ceramic keepsake' or a 'long lasting ceramic gift' when it was painted on canvas.  Long lasting - means my artwork is on the tile F-O-R-E-V-E-R.  And again, I ask there are SO many other artists(or one in my opinion, really must I go there again?) who do it SO well, why would I want to enter such a crowded area?   

At last count on one of our channels websites there were 12 different artists creating canvas artwork.  I can easily point you to ten more that are on other websites. Ceramic wall art..........there is one.  Numero Uno, an Island, you know the song from Sesame Street, "One of these kids is doin