Jamie's Blog

The ABC Kids Expo 2008

October 24, 2007.

I have waited way to long to actually post on this subject.  I got a lot of information and asked many questions to those that attended the ABC Kids Expo before I made my decision whether to attend or not.  Drum roll please...... I am not exhibiting at the show, and I am not going to Atlanta. I did not want to jump the gun and just write about the subject, till I made a decision as to what I would do next year.

*Just a little disclaimer that this is what I heard, may not be what everyone heard.  There are MANY reasons as to why I have made the decision to not attend.  Been in business long, long time and would like to spend my money on other things - walk another show, have new website built, continue to grow existing business, write book, vacation with Oprah, rule the world.....sorry it's early I, uh...wish list. 

Jennifer Buffalo of The Land of Whimzy (fabric and bedding), who I had the pleasure of meeting at Atlanta exhibited at this 2007 show.  She claimed, " It was not a big writing show, and the consensus from the vendors right around us, they said the same thing.  From what I found, there were 1400 exhibitors and only 1600 buyers."  Not great statistics to me.

Joanie Perales, owner of Fairy Tale Jewels (jewelry) was also a first time exhibitor at the show.  She was kind enough to answer questions about the show for me:

"What I did not like about the 2007 show is that they had competitors spread out allover the place.  Some people may request to be far away from their competition, but I think it makes it more difficult for buyers.  If a buyer is looking to add a jewelry line, to me it would save more time if all jewelry lines were  in the same vicinity."

When I attended the show way back in the day (2004) I found the same problem.  In fact, I asked to be near some popular bedding designers so that I could be near an area with lots of traffic and hopefully be an "add-on" that would compliment the bedding.

"I would absolutely do it again!  I think repetition is key, just as it is with almost every other aspect of business.  I think it is also worth it for new vendors.....you never know until you try!  I met a lot of media contacts, acquired several new accounts, got a TON of leads, lots of positive feedback on my product line and made a lot of new friends in the industry." Joannie claimed. 

When asked what the majority of the products featured at the show it was universal - furniture lines, strollers and baby bedding.  This was my EXACT observation when I exhibited and London Edwards, owner of My Little Dish seconds that - she exhibited in 2005.

In the end it is up to each individual and each company.  The order numbers seemed to be small, Amber Miner of the blog Starting a Baby Boutique & A Children's Clothing Line says, "Here’s how I feel about the amount of traffic they brought to the show: if I had just spent the same amount of time on direct sales & cold calls - the time I did preparing for the show, traveling to the show, setting up, showing, and tearing down the booth, - I would have picked up a hell of a lot more clients. I would have had more exposure walking into boutiques."

My advice to any new company that is considering attending:

1. Check the cost of the show - A 10x10 booth with white drape costs $1,300.00
2. Cost of booth - ours was $1,000.00, maybe we paid too much - but we had hard walls
3. Shipping products to the show, and back - about $250.00 back and forth
4. Remember the hotel cost - a quick search on Travelocity has rooms at about $250.00 (that would be 6 nights, they extended the show to five days, you need to set up
5. Food - you have to eat - expect to spend at least $100.00 a day on food
6. Collateral, sales materials, advertisements - our ad at Atlanta was $1,200.00, when we printed new brochures for 2004 we spent $1,200.00.
7. Airfare - two tickets for me would cost about $200.00 each
8. Samples for the show - I need to bring lots, so let's say I bring $200..00

Rough Total: $7,650.00, minus taxes, incidentals, booze (or not), gambling, product samples

Now if you are doing margins and you are doing the Math you better be able to pay for the show with the orders you write.  I sell products that wholesale for $10.00 to $21.50......that is a lot of orders I would need to write - I could do that from the comfort of my office making cold calls.  They do give the option of sharing a booth, something that was not offered when I exhibited, this may be a way to share some of the costs with another company.  I do not claim to know all, and I do not know everything (though sometimes I tell my children that I do) however, I may not be where I am today had I not attended the ABC Kids Expo. 

Exhibiting at a trade show may be a right of passage - it may be you have to suck it up and do it once.  But I for one do NOT believe that you HAVE to be quilted into to attending or else- that is sort of the old school way of thinking.  For me to spend conservatively $7500.00 every year to only open a few accounts - I could spend that on PR, I could spend on advertising, I could spend on sales, I could build new website, I could print new brochures, I could spend it on development....I could give myself a raise (kidding, but tempting).

I would suggest checking the Kids Today On line Blog and the Starting A Baby Boutique & A Children's Clothing Line (very honest and if you check categories she gives numerous posts) for more information on the subject.

So if anyone decides to go again, please let me know how you do and I honestly wish you the BEST of luck!  I hope that it turns out great.  And who knows, I may change my mind....I can do that can't I?

My Deffinition of Copying & Plagiarism

October 23, 2007.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

"Yes, I do."

"Let the records show what the defendant has brought a large piece of artwork into the court room.  Ladies and gentlemen I give you Exhibit 1 (psst..look right below, to your left sort of)."

"Will the jury please take a long hard look at this piece of artwork to my left?  Do you see the craftsmanship?  Do you see the original style?  If you would please recognize this as an original piece of artwork created by Shelly Kennedy of Drooz studio"

"Now if the court would be so kind as to take a look at exhibit 2 found on an Ebay store(sorry, I hate to beat a dead horse but this one I had to share).

I would like the record to show that this (over there look to your right now, look at it) is copying with a capital "C".  Your honor, this second piece of artwork is uh....oh hell would you LOOK at it!  Need I really rest my case?"

<Gasps from the people sitting in the court room, mass pandamonium, yelling, screaming, crying babies>

"Order in the court!  Order in the court !(banging gavel, of course) ORDER!!  Calm down, or I will find you all in contempt, (or whatever they yell)!"

Anyone that did not, or does not know what I mean by copying, this is EXACTLY what I mean by copying.  This blatant duplication of another's piece of artwork.  I know I am starting to sound like a broken record , I just thought a little visual would help everyone!  There are many us of that work in the children's industry, there are many creative writers, entrepreneurs, artists, designers in many industries- I have had the good pleasure of meeting some of you (some I just read about, like the rest of us).  I believe you are all very creative, I just think we should all try and stay original.

Just for the record (so, I do not get mean emails after the fact) I would like to state the obvious (since I am under oath and all):

1. I did NOT Create ceramic tile
2. I did NOT Create porcelain ornaments
3. I did NOT Create ceramic frames
4. I did NOT Create ceramic plates
5. I did NOT Create ceramic coasters
6. I did NOT Create door hangers
7. I was NOT the first artist to put art on tile
8. I am NOT the first Mompreneur
9. I am NOT the only mom blogger on the Internet (wink, wink, you know what I mean)
10. I am NOT the only "mother" out there raising a family while running a small business

I have been accused of many things my friends - but I am not going to say I was the first or will I be the last to do what I do.  I will try my damnedest (is that a word) to be the best at what I do.  I will not try and hide behind other people's talent.  Most importantly, I will go to bed at night with a clear conscience - knowing I made thebest product and I did not copy anyone (please if you could signal the angels singing, or the national anthem or some self righteous sounding music)

I am very curious if anyone does not see the......exact duplication and total disregard for Ms. Kennedy's copyright?  Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?  Please send me some comments....

Okay, I am off my soap box.....Carry on with your business....nothing left to see here people, go on about your day. 

Great Resource for Designers

October 22, 2007.

I am not even sure how it happened, but I stumbled upon a wonderful magical place on the Internet.  I was frolicking along, minding my own business....oh wait I was probably doing one these things actually:

1. Trolling around trying to find a good Entrepreneurial Blog to read
2. Looking for a humorous "Mom" blogs, so that I could laugh a little, or a whole lot
3. Catching up on the latest trends, finding out what is "HOT" for next year
4. Goofing off at work....wait NO that was NOT it, I swear I was doing r-e-s-e-a-r-c-h

As I have stated in the past if I can talk with other artisans and designers, then I am a happy camper.  Better yet, if I give some snippet or nugget of advice that actually helps another - high five to me, or you.  So I am very happy to tell you all about this wonderful place:

The Daily Stroll Designer Only Lounge

Did ya catch that "ONLY" part.....hee hee I was almost giddy when I saw that.  I could not wait to join, share my stories, read others stories - and have it be soooo relevant to my industry.

The site states:

A private forum has been created just for designers! We know that you need a special place to share ideas, celebrate, and ask questions from your fellow successful maternity/baby/toddler designers.

RULES:
* Only designers are permitted
* You must design Maternity, Infant, and or Toddler goods
* You must complete the application at the link below and include your website to be approved
* You must have your user name be your company name
* Applicants who do not follow these simple rules will be deleted

I have only used the site for about a week, but it has great post and great topics.  The topics range from Industry News, Introductions, Publicity & Marketing to Suppliers Information.  It is a place where designers can share ideas, ask questions and know they are ONLY speaking with other designers.  Oh, did I forget to mention - sales representatives, boutique owners, and publicists need not apply, only us peeps who make our own products.

So, please join the fun, sign up, tune in - drop out - oh heck what is that saying?  I would love to have an open forum for discussing industry topics....you know kind of like THIS blog!

Another Post on Plagerism

October 21, 2007.

Jessica Seinfeld's new book Deceptively Delicious is the talk of the town, or the talk of playgroups, or well even my sister with no children is talking it up.  She is on every TV show, she has sold tons of copies and well she is the media darling for the minute.  She must have a PR genius behind her....oh and let's not forget her husbands, you may have heard of him.......I think his name is Jerry.

Well, it is interesting to note that I found this post today about her book and it NOT being the most original idea. 

Then on Friday, I got an email from my friend Kelly Anderson of Startup Princess - regarding copying - she had used my post on a similar post for her blog.   

Hmmm, so ironic.  I love what Kelly wrote at the end of her blog:

Copying isn’t cool and it certainly ISN’T a compliment. If anything copying demonstrates lack of creativity and lack of compassion for others, particularly when money is concerned. I hope Startup Princesses take the challenge and always design with integrity and with pure intentions.

I just keep finding these stories, over and over again.  It is like when you want to have a baby and everywhere you turn around - all you see are babies, and pregnant mommies.

So,  these are both not the same thing - sort of a "horse of a different color" if you will.  Still - why can't everyone stay true to themselves and their ideas?  It may a total fluke that Jessica Seinfeld and Missy Chase Lapine had this idea about pureeing veggies for their kids, who knows?  I do know that sometimes the first one out of the gate is not always the winner, some very famous entrepreneurs know this.

An Internet Retailer's thoughts on Plagarism

October 18, 2007.

Working in this industry I have had the good fortune of meeting some amazing women, and follow some amazing blogs.  I always thought I was an island and that no one went through what I was going through.  The truth is that no one that lives with in a ten mile radius was doing what I did - there are hundreds, if not a thousand of women all over the country doing it.  It is comforting to know that I was not the only one storing bubble wrap and shipping boxes in a room in my home.  I also like to know there are other artists out there that have paint on every single damn sweat shirt they own (sad but true).

I started working with Rosenberry Rooms way back in Spring of 2005.  Since I sort of uh, deleted some old emails I have no idea if I submitted our products to her or she found us.  Two and 1/2 years later I am happy to say that Susie Fougerousse, the owner and founder is one of the good guys....er, dang I mean girls, gals - women?  Sheesh - whatever she is a great lady to work with!

We have been lucky to have had much success with Rosenberry Rooms and we share a very similar philosophy about our customer service.  I am thrilled to talk with Susie on the rare occasion (when she is available - she has three small children) to catch up on things.  She always seems to put a positive spin on things, like I said - one of the good guys!

Susie was kind enough to share some of her thoughts on plagiarism, copying and staying original -  of course (wouldn't ya know?) she looked at it in a positive way:

1. There is room in this vast market for many creative, talented and hard working people to participate.

2. It is important to try and stay original, because consumers like to find something unique, be it a product or a store.

3. That being said, there are so many common themes and business ideas that form an umbrella under which we all work, that we often need to differentiate ourselves in other areas, such as service, business methods, marketing and presentation.

4. To be successful, we need to concentrate on strengthening our businesses, keeping our focus ahead, and not spend too much time looking over our shoulders.  In the end, looking over our shoulders hinders our success more than our competitors do (This is something my husband makes SURE I do, because he knows that I am such a worry wart and have had too many sleepless nights pondering this).

It is very easy to get distracted, heck it's Thursday afternoon and I am blogging instead of updating the photos on my website.  I hope to use some of Susie's thoughts and try NOT to get bogged down, depressed or down right negative on the topic.  I said I hope...we all know I will be putting my cranky pants on again....I just hope it is not for a long time!

Going the Extra Mile

October 16, 2007.

Sometimes when I go back over these old blogs I think I only write about customer service...oh and uh that other thing I am STILL writing about.  Great customer service is what makes good companies great.  Until I owned my own business I did not notice these things like I do now.  These days, in my old age I will go and seek out those that go the extra mile, over and over again.

When we pick up a new sales channel, or get a direct order I tell them we take customer service very seriously.  I explain we put the customer first.  We try very hard to remember, to give special treatments and to reward past customers, and do favors.  They will remember when you DON'T do something nice.

Do You Know Your Customers?

This past weekend my husband and I took a little mini-vacation to Southern California - for his 20 year  high school reunion.  We had a lot of fun....one of us might have had too much fun one night.  Not wanting to drive 6 1/2 hours all the way home, and grabbing one extra night alone without kids we reserved a room in Paso Robles.

We stayed at a brand new hotel, two weeks old.  When we were sitting in the waiting area, waiting for our room to be ready the chef came up to us and wished us a happy anniversary.  We thanked him and both looked at each other like we just entered the twilight zone. Darin thinks he might have mentioned we were taking an extra day for our anniversary (it's end of October), when we checked in, or reserved the room-but does not even recall when he told them.

Next we get our room, go up to the room and sitting in the living room area - not only a bottle of wine chilling from the area, but a nice card wishing us a happy anniversary.  Again - we looked at each other and talked about how great the customer service was.  They did not need to do that, but they definitely went the extra mile in our opinion.  Not a big deal I know - but it was a very nice way to end our little trip.

How Much does Thank You Cost?

The bartender had given us a map of the wineries - she circled a few that were her favorites and told us we had to stop there.  She was super nice and helpful and we figured  - we don't know the area, might as well take her advice.

The first winery we stopped at  - poured us some wine then asked us how we found out about the winery.  I said the bartender recommended the winery, she loved there wine.  The woman behind the bar immediately got on the phone, asked to speak to the bartender, asked her favorite wine and told her she was sending her a bottle.  She grabbed a bottle - handed it to us and asked us to deliver it to her to thank her for recommending the winery.

Now neither of these stories are unique - but to me they are.  Or maybe I had too much wine....no kidding.  I could not get over what amazing customer service - everyone went the extra mile.  How great a company could you have IF everyone went that extra mile?  If everyone took two extra seconds to thank someone, offer something or acknowledge a special event?

Be Remarkable

We we will rush orders when we can, we will give discounts on multiple orders - we will replace broken tiles, we will help customers save money on multiple orders shipping costs.  We will work weekends, we will stay late - we will fix problems, find ways to improve.  I do not know any other way to run a company.  If you want some other creative ways to improve on your company check out Seth Godin's blog - HE gets it! 

I think Maya Angelou says it best, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

The Garbage Truck

October 9, 2007.

A good friend forwarded this email to me over the weekend.  I took it to heart.  I realized that not only did I let this happen to me, sometimes I brought my own "garbage" to the table.  I am sure there are other versions of this, and I hope I do the article justice. 

I have no idea if it is true or not, but I like the "thought" behind it.  And - I will not send you the email and force you to send it to ten people in ten minutes or you will not be lucky/alive/rich - whatever......you KNOW those emails I am talking about.

Please read an excerpt from the article:

----------------------------------------------------

Beware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?  Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day?  Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels.  However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she can get back her focus on what is important.

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson.  I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab.  Here's what happened:

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station.  We were driving in the right lane, when all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.  My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!  The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and started yelling bad words at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.  And I mean he was friendly.  So, I said, "Why did you just do that?  That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"  This is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck":

Many people are like garbage trucks.  They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.  As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it.  And if you let them, they'll dump it on you.  When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.  You just smile, wave, wish them well and move on.  You'll be happy you did.....

The bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day.  What about you?  What would happen in your life, starting today, if let more garbage trucks pass you by?

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I do like this message, it is basically telling you NOT to let others bad mood affect your mood.  And for the last two days I have actually been able to not be lulled into a persons bad mood.  However, I do have a small problem with this analogy - since uh my Garbage man comes and picks UP my garbage and takes it away.  So basically he does not dump it at I house.

I was going to actually admit I had really brought my garbage out and poured on everyone in an earlier post....okay, okay it was NUMEROUS posts!  I think for ME, it was therapeutic - I have said it before this blog is sooo helpful to me, even though I do hope it can help others. 

I got to dump my garbage out and be done with it, even if I did take a few trips the curb, but I did get rid of my garbage.

Are You a Quitter?

October 8, 2007.

....He's like this....he's like this mindless machine that I can't even relate to anymore...."Andrew, you've got to be number one!  I won't tolerate any losers in this family...Your intensity is for shit!  Win.  Win!  WIN!!!"

The quote is from The Breakfast Club (one of my all time favorite movies, though it really is a right of passage if you were a girl in the 80's right?) and it is the famous scene where they all sit around and realize how they are all so much the same, and there parents pretty much suck.  Ya, it's  a great movie, as your kids get older though - um, a little harder to digest.  Especially with the whole, "are we going to be like our parents speech....." it gives me the chills, even as I write it.

Awesome Product (ya I know 80's again)

Reason number one I will not quit, is that my products sell.  I am NOT bragging, it is a truth.  If your products are selling, then keep selling them, do not quit.  If they only do well in certain channels then do what they tell you to do in Business 101 (for me that would be reading Entrepreneur Magazine) - grow those channels.  Grow your fan base, it is much easier to sell to people that love you than those that.....well don't so much.  Nurture and grow that business that has a big fan base for your products, they already love you...love them back!

I Totally Can't Do it!

I may not be the best business women, I may not have the best business sense but I will be the last one standing - I can not quit.  I am loyal to the end.  I feel loyal to my customer base, to my sales channels, to my employees, to myself.  I have this crazy idea that the world would stop spinning if I stopped.....let's be serious, if I stopped producing, someone else would just pick up where  I left off and make something to take my place.  I uh, well I really could not let that happen though, could I?

Even though the word "quitter" is not in the Breakfast Club speech, it always seems to be what I think of when I think of quitting.  Now, before you start hitting the comment button, or sending me emails, DO know I am not quitting.......sometimes, it does pop into my head.  It happens (every time) when I get really sick, I start to realize I can not just lay there and be sick, I must continue to run the company and figure things out....just like how when you are a parent you can not REALLY be sick, you must still be a parent.  I always whine (shocking I know) and my husbands says, fine - quit.  Well, come on, I can NOT quit....it is NOT in my personality.  I did not say "change" I said quit, quitting is really is not an option.

If I were to really slow down, and consider letting myself quit..I still could not stop (it's an illness, really it is) I would just take the business in a different direction.  I have a friend who always focuses on the "light at the end of the tunnel".  I am like, "um I can not even get THROUGH the tunnel, where is the damn light?"  These are the times that I tend to think of broadening my brand, growing products, brancing out - if you have nothing to lose....you have everything to gain!

The Lentzner's Are Not Quitters

Last year a girl from my daughters soccer team (The Purple Pixies of course) quit half way through the season.  Her parents walked up to my sister (who was coaching as a favor to me when I had a girls weekend away) and said, "Our daughter is quitting soccer" and they they marched off the field with there heads held high and never came back.  Um, did I mention the girls were four?  Ya, it was a great experience - we had four girls on our team after that - really nice.  I would never let my kids quit mid-season, it is just not in my blood.  Darin and I literally started saying to the kids, "The Lentzners are not quitters!" - I feel like Chevy Chase in vacation....but uh, well the kids got on board.  We are NOT quitters, we will not quit - I mean come on, Stick It Out!

I may be able to step away from the business a few days a week, I am able to go on vacation and I am able to go in a different direction and grow.  Quit?  Close up shop?  Not even an option - no matter what happens.  I swear I can not imagine just throwing my hands in the air and saying, "That's it, the party is officially over."  Those words are not in my vocabulary.

Well You Have My Support

I know how hard it is to run your own business, really sista' I do.  I have also talked many an entrepreneur off a ledge, convinced them to stay........uh what does President Bush say "stay the course".  I feel that one failure, is a failure for all of us.  Being able to talk someone through a tough patch, a tough decision, or a "oh my gosh do NOT do that......walk away from the phone!" moment is huge.  The community of women I have met through this blog, in this business has been amazing.  I am amazed at the power of positive reinforcement - the power of a nice word,  a compliment , a suggestion.  When I worked for a big organization I only got a pat on the back quarterly or even yearly....oh and do not forget that fabulous 2% raise!

Now that I am the boss, the monetary reward is not what drives me.  The small accomplishment, the new friend, the new product, the margins increase - or just the new sales channels pushes me forward.  Really if God is in the Details, then he IS in small business.  I get such a rise out of the small accomplishments that I make on a daily basis.  And, truth be told, when others tell me about THERE accomplishments - that is just as cool!  The truth is NOT in the pudding, the truth is in your support system.

Mommy Needs to Go Back to School?

If Mommy owns a business she has lots of questions.  If you are that Mommy, and you are trying to figure them out on your own you know how frustrating that can be.  Most of us "Mompreneurs" did not major in business.....er, let me re-phrase that I did not major in business, or advertising, or get my MBA at Stanford or do my internship with some famous entrepreneur.  I don't know about the rest of "us" out there - but for me - nahhh, did not happen.

What I have found is that the longer I am in business, and the more I reach out to other entrepreneurs, then others reach back out to me.  That expression 'you scratch my back I will scratch yours' so holds true.........well this week it does.  I hope someone does not cut me off at the knees next week, but for now - nice things from nice people.

A few months ago I happened on to this great blog I found on Entrepreneur.com, written by Lisa Druxman.  I was very familiar with her name, and her very successful company Stroller Strides.  She started the company when her son was a baby and she had no time to go to the gym.  She proceeded to create a series of exercises to get her back in shape.....and well, the rest is history.

So, since I know how much it means to me when I get a nice email or an 'ada' girl' from someone - I sent her an email.  She was so kind, and I could not believe she emailed me right back and invited me to this "Mommy Owned Business Academy Open Forum".  I was able to call in to a radio/Internet Open Forum to discuss ideas, get advice and hear how she was able to create this amazing company.

So, I thought I would share the information with some other Entrepreneurs, Momreneurs or Parentpreneurs....what a tongue twister.  Anyhoo - her next forum is on October 30th, and she meets once a month and you must sign up to be added to the invited participants.  Her topics range from PR (she rocks at this....check out her site), Grass Roots, Co-Ops and Balancing Work and Motherhood.

To be invited to the Open Forum email her at lisa@strollerstrides.com

Happy October, and another shout out to Atlanta!

So I have been wanting to change the blog for quite awhile.  I figured it should be a reflection of my artwork, instead of looking like a college student's Photo shop project that went awry.  Having majored in Computer Art in college, I know my way around Photo shop and I used to use those special effects on EVERYTHING I did - swirly? drop shadow? pixelated? You got it!  The more special effects the better.  I like my drawings better...hope you do too!

I also, uh added a fabulous new photo of me dressed up, in costume.  And after close introspection, and the uh, advice of my sister - I added a disclaimer that said it IS a costume....I can only imagine what would happen when Oprah decides to start reading my blog and catches me in that turquoise eye shadow!  I did love myself some turquoise eyeliner in high school though...sorry it's the truth!

Atlanta, My Georgia Peach!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, uh stress and entrepreneurship pretty much go hand in hand.  You can not have one (well not successful) with out the other at some point in your companies history.  Unfortunately for me I did not know how poorly my body would deal with stress.....until I started Jamie's Painting & Design.  I tend to get sick easily when stressed (duh!) and yes, I am worried about the long term affects.

Right after I returned from Atlanta, with my tail between my legs, jet lag and a pile of work to do I noticed I lost my voice.  I am positive London and I left it somewhere between isle 1900 and the Budweiser cart, but needless to say I have not seen or heard it since.  Now I am not saying I am mute, just well - let's say I have a very sexy 'come hither' smoker's voice.....minus the wonderful wet throaty cough.  I can not yell or scream.  I can not raise my voice (any of you with kids, know that this can be a bit of a problem....).

After two doctor, no make that three visits and a very intrusive long camera thingie shoved (yes I said shoved) down my nose all the way into my throat I got a diagnosis.  My left vocal cord is paralyzed.  They have no idea how it happened, or why, probably a virus that attacked my vocal cord.  I get to have a cat scan in a few weeks (oh joy!) to make sure there is nothing else wrong with me, and to make sure I do not have any other 'odd ailment'.

So, damn-it when Oprah calls (yes I am sure she will someday!) to have me on her show I won't have much of a voice.  I am forced to speak quiet (and carry a big stick....ya, ya - I am actually a fantastic whistler so I am forced to do that to get attention sometimes) and rest my voice, and wait an entire year until the powers that be (Doctor experts) know if it is permanently paralyzed, or not.

Thanks Atlanta - another great thing to come out of that trip!  Really I can not WAIT (not) to go back!  Maybe next time I can get my other vocal cord paralyzed there....and for those of you that think I got this because I talk to much (my husband thinks that is the funniest joke) you would be incorrect.  As my Doctor has informed me, I have a very fragile immune system.....more good news!