Jamie's Blog

Tweaking the Model

June 28, 2006.

Small business = Tweaking

Being an artist, I always want to tweak something.  Whether it was a project in school, faux painting my hall way, a mural in my son's room, or an image on one of our plates - I have the need to look at it and think....hmmm, it just needs a little something right there.  So, you might say I am a 'tweakin' expert', 'cause I swear I get it, I know the need and desire to tweak.

However, had I realized that running a small business would mean continuing to tweak, and tweak, and tweak a little bit more day in and day out - I don't know if I would have jumped on board.  Well, let's face it, I would have said 'bull-sh*t' and done it anyways (assuming the person that told me was wrong).  Running a small business is a continuous tweak, here are a few:

• Changing a shipping procedure to guarantee no breakage
• Tweaking the development so less people actually touch the product
• Tweaking the order entry, changing the naming conventions, shortening lead times
• Finding ways to increase margins, but keep quality
• Tweaking a job description to meet a new job
• Altering art to make a large channel happy
• Adjusting shipping charges to accommodate increased shipping charges
• Changing filing system
• Purchasing in bulk instead of direct
• Removing a product that is not selling

A small business is like a moving target, and what once worked sometimes does not six months later.  Accounting makes me take long hard looks at all aspects of the business quite frequently - trying to find how we can tweak it.  I often think someday I will not have to do so much tweaking, but I am sure there will always be ways to improve.

Many small business owners, mompreneurs if you will - that I know - are not always willing to take that long hard look and make the hard decisions.  I feel that I would rather be the one looking at my product and choose to change it, rather than a customer finding out a problem I had not seen.  You should know your companies strengths and weaknesses - a customer should not be able to shock you with something about where your product falls short.

Hence, taking the time to write this tonight....I am in the middle of a major tweak....and I am procrastinating - cause it's late and I have like one brain cell left.

The Art of Interviewing

June 21, 2006.

An interview is really something you are either good at or you are not.  As being the one conducting the interview, this also holds true.  I feel it takes quite a lot of practice and homework, which is much easier these days with the advent of company websites, blogs, google, and yahoo..........come on people!

When I started interviewing for jobs after college, back in 1993, I can remember going to the library to research articles about companies I was interviewing with.  My degree was in computer animation, and I would read about the game companies, and their competitors before an interview, and then I would practice interviewing.

Now I must say, I had a bit of an edge - I was (oh gosh, this may come as a shock to some people) in a sorority.  And I was Rush Chair - this is the person in charge of recruiting new pledges if you will.  I was all about the first with a capital F impression you made on someone that came to the house for Rush.  The way you looked, what you said, your eye contact, the way the house looked, your hair, what you were doing with your hands, your breath - I could have gone into HR of PR.  I loved it, I loved being in the house, and I loved the whole 'rush' thing.

Which brings me back to interviewing, even if you are not good at it, you should be prepared.  This is a no-brainer and EASY for anyone trying to enter the work force.  Whether you interview well or not, you should do some research before you interview.

As stated in an earlier post, I am looking for some contract positions at JPD; Photoshop Artist/Expert, eventually two Sales People and possibly an Office Person.  I have posted on Craig's List and started phone interviews this week. My first question, "What does my business do?  Did you get a chance to look at the website?'

Ya, I don't think I need to go into detail, but in the future it is SOOOOO important you know about the company you are trying to interview with - THAT IS WHY I POSTED MY WEBSITE ON THE JOB POSTING!  There is no excuse, and there is no second chance to make a first impression (I know, deodorant commercial, but SO true....). 

Multi-tasking or Working Smart?

June 14, 2006.

Multi-tasking, a novel concept to my husband.  He just does not understand it, I describe it, I show him, I do it -- nope, nothing, wave my hands in front of his eyes and they just glaze over.  Having the ability to talk on the phone, fold laundry and make the kids lunch is foreign to my poor hubby, but he is male.

This weekend we are away for a few days without the kids, a long drive across the state - you say blah?  I say YEA!  I am going to use the time to tighten up our business plan and finalize it.  It is a uninterrupted hours of talking an figuring things out.  I can't wait! 

We are also making sure and stop at one of our show rooms and visit one of our high profile stores.  And then hand deliver some of our new summer products for the up coming show.  When first starting out we would always try and find new channels while on vacation.  I still always have my eyes and ears open.

Employment Opportunities

June 11, 2006.

We have been going through some changes at JPD these past few weeks or days. Some changes were expected, some just smack you in the face and leave you on the ground in complete shock for an hour or so.  If you have been reading this blog for awhile you know my mantra is (supposed to be) 'change is good', I just ask does it have to happen all AT THE SAME TIME?

Coincidentally, I have been reading a book called, From Good to Great by Jim Collins, (http://www.jimcollins.com ) it is basically a study on mediocre to down right poor companies going on to become great companies.  Mind you the book deals with mulit-billion dollar publicly traded companies that charged ahead with one focus and then stayed at that level for a long, long time.  However, the one part of the book that resonated with me was, "First you need to get the right people on the bus and only then can you figure out where the bus is going"  This is my goal....

First off, I needed to circle back and look at the actual tasks within a job description.  Then I needed to look more towards a focus of roles and responsibilities.  Instead of having several people doing several different thing, I need to have people who specialize in a role (i.e. one person who manages all office details, one who manages painting & personalization, etc..). 

I began the process today by posting a few opportunities on Craig's List (within the first 3 hours of the posting, I received 4 responses).  My next step will  be to do an initial phone screen, with the first question being "What does my business do?".  If they can't answer this, then I know that they are not serious. 

So, re-using the 'bus' metaphor, I need to figure out who to get on the bus before I go any where, and my wheels are going round and round (sorry could not resist, very sleepy).  I will continue to search and analyze and interview and post jobs till I get it right.

Here we go again...

June 7, 2006.

What is it about the second time around that it is not that 'sexy'?  Second pregnancy (notice I did not say child, just the big fat, ankles swollen oh god I want a drink pregnant), second home and subsequent second remodel, second time with a teacher, second time potty-training (OH GOD!!), second time drumming up sales.

The first time I drove sales to my company I was excited (read inexperienced artist who had NEVER done sales, how hard could it be?) and had my husband coach me.  I was relentless and driven, I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.  I gave away the farm and then some.  When I finally ventured on line a very knowledgeable business owner pulled me in and told me that my prices were too low (absurd!) and that we would not get on line or any high-end stores unless we raised our prices.  She also kept telling me that I needed to plan for big growth and big profits.....she was right.

So...selling this new Posh Pet Gifts by Jamie, and I am so nervous calling stores and emailing websites.  Almost four years after the birth of my Name Tiles you think this would be a piece of cake 'snap' (sorry Sixteen Candles reference....).  It is so much harder this time, maybe because I KNOW what rejection is like.  So, I start small, sent out 25 emails tonight to prospective channels.  I wish I had a magic button to push to speed up the process.  Don't get me wrong, it's still exciting - some GREAT press coming this fall...but um, press does not generate sales, well yes it does....

It's funny (similar to having a newborn), you forget how hard it is in the beginning, drumming up sales that is - and with a new born.  A family friend, who has owned his own business for 20 or 30 some odd years told me recently, "Owning your own business is like having a six month old.....forever"

Money, money, money

June 1, 2006.

Who was the idiot that said, "It takes money to make money"?  He (or she) was correct, and I know this, but damn it's frustrating.  Being a small business owner I often have a long list of what we could do with some extra money:

• Printing new collateral
• Updating Existing Products
• Developing New Products
• Getting more sales channels
• New light fixtures for warehouse
• Publicity for new children's products
• Sales for new Pet Division
• Photographing new products
• Sponsoring local sports teams
• Advertising in Trade Magazines
• Do a Major Trade Show

You name it, it's on my  'wish' list.  And that is my short list, that does not even cover what we need to do for the Holiday Season.  I am not even saying we will or won't do any of those things, some have to be done...but others.

I have a really good friend that always says she is going to go out back and shake the money tree, I mentioned this once to my children, (they were asking why we did not have a swimming pool in the back yard, not to mention our yard is dinky) I start mumbling the money tree had NO money left.  A couple of days later my 3 year old pipes up from the back seat of the car, "Mommy can you go check the money tree today, to see if there is any money for a swimming pool?"

Ah, ignorance of childhood...unfortunately I know where the money tree is and I KNOW if I take some money from it, I need to put it back and then some.  So, that's the crummy part of being in charge having to make the hard decisions and determine where and what to spend the money on.  My priorities today may not be the long term priorities.  Some impulsive decision's (Little Circus Themed Name Tiles and a Feather Boa Shop till You Drop Name Plaque) have been busts and a money losers, while others (sending free samples to a high profile store - securing a spot in a major magazine and celebrity clientele) a GREAT idea.  Learn to listen to your gut, I mean who isn't afraid of clowns?