This is What I Do

March 25, 2009.

I was really worried that my last post would piss off, or just upset some bloggers - truth is, it did nothing of the sort - I must be getting old and soft in my old age.  Many commented and emailed me to say "You Go Girl" and uh - good for you!  I still wanted to get this post out there though - just in case you had questions about what I did do all day....like all day (inside joke, my husband came home and asked me that one day when our son was a few months old, I stayed at home and it was the ONLY day that I left the house a mess....no he has never heard the end of it, at least we laugh about it now).

I Do Worry About My Business

This is my baby, I spend countless hours obsessing over the success and the failure of my business.  I try to always improve and I hope that everything we do is amazing.  However, this is not always the case - such is life.  I probably spend as much time worrying about my company as I do about my kids....okay not true (kids trump everything) but it seems that way some days.  No matter what it is I do, I always worry. 

I Do Try and Reply &  Help

I try to reply to all emails I get regarding running a business, this blog and comments on my blog.  Note I said I try, I do - but sometimes life has to take the front seat in my life.  My kids come first, my husband second, dogs third, business fourth, then let's see volunteering fourth, house is fifth - I mean I have a life.  If I do not respond lickity split it only means I am living my life.  I love, love the friends I have made from this blog and just meeting from email exchanges.  However, I can not always help - sometimes the questions are out of my expertise and sometimes I am just busy.  Please do not attack me or assume I don't care, I do care. 

I Do Have Feelings

Not so much from this blog, but more from the Silicon Valley Mom Blog I write for - I have been flamed.  I brought it on, no biggie.  I think people forget sometimes that a blog is about me - and my (totally skewed 'cause they are about me) opinions and experiences.  I only write about what I know or what I have been through.  I do not know everyone and I do not mean to offend - I just tell it how I see it (sorry is what it is).  I do not like to be yelled at, swearer at or even accused of being a bitch....and yes I may be one.  I think when someone can comment under Anonymous it opens up the flood gates - I am out there, if you want to comment - good.  However - I have a face and feelings and you may want to think before you push send.

I Do Screw Up

I have been around long enough to know that not every design (or product) is going to succeed.  I have even done some serious homework and research and then still had the product fail.  Sometimes it is the time, the market - or just dumb bad luck.  I do not know why some products or even themes fail - but they just do.  I have learned not to fall in love with my idea (or myself) too much so that when it fails I can let it go.  It helps to remove myself emotionally from the idea once it is 'out there in the market place'. 

I Do Struggle

I have grown, I have lost, I have survived.  Running a business is very hard, and yet rewarding at the same time.  I am finding it hard to stay positive in this Economy.  Retail is struggling - therefore I am struggling.  I keep running up against payment problems, bankruptcy and just bad accounting practices.  I get it - I understand what everyone is experiencing.  I have responsibilities to my employees and my channel partners and I will survive this downturn, I just do not know how long it will take.  I do think that doing whatever it takes (legally of course people) to stay alive is necessary.  I am not one to brag - but I am willing to take on any and every job at my office to ensure we do not go under...........oh and we are not going under.

I Do Get Lucky

Yep, I do sometimes - just happens.  I have had some amazing breaks and made some wonderful connections.  I work it though - all the time.  I make a connection with all accounts and I keep in touch with the press I do know.  I sometimes have a bluebird (sales expression) land in my lap - but most times it comes from lots of hard work.  I have been at the wrong place more times than the right place.  I make the time to make the calls, the emails and the connections - I have to.  I never know where that one introduction will get me. 

My mother used to say, "Every date is a possible mate."  I have my own expression with work and it goes like this, though not as poetic "Every person that knows about my company, is a possible sale, partnership or opportunity for me"

I Do Get It

For whatever reason this business has helped me and it has been a very steep learning curve.  Sometimes something (or someone) clicks with you - for me it was this business.  I am not an expert, nor do I pretend to know it all.  I do get what it takes to succeed and I think I have found my niche in the market place.  I feel that if I can weather this storm, any other one can not be this bad.  I love runningJamie's Painting & Design and I love creating new products - I really do.

I Do Need to Sleep

Ya, that is me speaking - the real me.  I am in desperate need of some sleep - like the sleep for three days sleep.  I am tired and I tend to burn the candle at both ends when it comes to my business (and my life).  I am always wishing I blogged more, read more blogs, created more products and contacted more accounts.  I have to learn to accept that I am one person and I am only human.  At the end of the day I am pretty sure my children (and husband) will not say, "Gee we wish Mommy worked harder at her job and spent less time with us."  So I am okay.....I think.*

*An apology to the blog Gods who say that every post needs a picture...truth is I have none.  I have about 40 new product ideas/designs yet not photographed.  I wanted to get this post up and I apologize for no eye-candy.  How about if next post is all photos???  Sound good?

Comments

[kyoot]

Goodmorning, Great post, I haven't gotten up to date yet, just found you this week. Did you have an answer when you were a child about what you wanted to be when you grew up?

[Mandi]

Great Post!I love your products. Your company is so nice to work with.