Jamie's Blog

Pay It Forward

February 22, 2011.

Back in 2005 after we negotiated our lease, put a bunch of money down on our new space I realized we had no office furniture for Jamie's Painting & Design.  We  had 9 employees, me included and I was not even sure if we would have enough chairs for them (we worked in shifts in the studio).  Some of the cabinets and counters we were able to take out of my garage and utilize them in the break room and the work room.  I think we had two office chairs also, but other than that I had nothin'.

Things Happen For a Reason

As luck would have it our new rental space was located across the street from an old friend of my parents.  He was from their days of coaching my sister and I in softball (okay my sister mostly, I was just there for the snacks and gossiping).  While the rest of my family was measuring and figuring out the logistics of my office, my mother bounded across the street to say hello.  They had just sold their business, so they would not be our neighbors for very long.  However, they were willing to sell us as much of their furniture at dirt cheap.  We picked up 6 great teal colored drafting tables, industrial shelving units, and file cabinets.  We were thrilled.  I quickly made plaques for their grandchildren and sent them nice thank you cards.

As great as that was for our office - we still were short many things.  I for one had no office furniture, until I found me some Craig's List.  I had never used Craig's List, nor had I really had a use for the site.  I found myself trolling the site each morning when I woke up.  I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I could use, what I wanted and what I could actually afford.  As luck would have it again, I found an entire office set for only $80.00.  There was a desk, a credenza, a book case and multiple side tables.  The gentleman had just bought the house and hated the built-in office furniture. 

After dismantling the furniture my very creative Father put it back together in a formation that worked within my office space.  He made a credenza out of three of the file cabinets and a single file cabinet  He built me a free standing desk, and a 2 side tables, plus a table for the entry way.  He tool the book cases and made them into one large book case.  

Do As We Did

After exhausting the office furniture sales on Craig's List I turned to FreeCycle.  It is a great site where you can find free things that that people want to get rid of.  One afternoon I found a small company that was giving away office furniture.  Desks, chairs and file cabinets.  My husband and I borrowed my father's truck and hauled ass down to San Jose to pick it up.  I thanked the guys over and over and asked what I could give them some compensation (usually in these situation I can offer up some cute baby gift, but these guys were not even 30 and had no use for my cutesy baby decor).  The owner of the company just told me if I was ever in the same situation to please give these desks away to someone that needs it.  He said, " You should know, start-up's are hard enough, let alone having to purchase thousands of dollars of office furniture.  Pay it forward."

We Are Busy Paying Everything Forward

I am not used to downsizing, or minimizing my space.  I don't think it something that I have ever had to do.  But, wow it sure is therapeutic and very calming to have to go through everything you have and figure out do I need it or not.  Or let's face it I had to admit most things I had I just wanted, and did not need.  I am helping some peeps out;

• My cousin's are both starting out and need things for their apartments.  My aunt came and collected decorations, coffee pot, microwave, frames, artwork, chairs, kichten table and the cutest little white chest you ever did see.
• One of the women that works for me took an oak filing cabinet, wood organizer and half of the built cupboards and counter for her garage.
• Two of my favorite teachers a my daughter's school took my office furniture, office supplies, organizers, tissue paper and file cabinets
• Our Art Studio at school took all of the turquoise drafting tables and a large metal cabinet for storing art.
• The Salvation Army got dressers, chairs, rugs, cabinets and anything not nailed to the wall.
• Giving away mistakes and errors are going to be on Facebook for FREE (except for shipping and handling).
• And of course we gave away all of that office furniture that was so graciously given to us.

Small is the new big, or shall I say the new smart.  I did not need all of this "stuff" nor did my employees.  I don't like what the Recession did - but I do respect it.  We have shrunk in size, but not in product.  We will survive, we will survive.

 

 

When an Employee Leaves

September 8, 2008.

When I got back from the ABC Kids Expo, almost four years ago to the day, I realized I needed more help.  My good friend who was working with me was pregnant with baby number four and was due soon.  I had orders piling up, I had products to ship and I still had two children to take care of.  My babysitter at the time literally walked in one day and said her sister was artistic and she needed a job.

It was my first real interview with a prospective employee, though conducted in my garage/studio - it did not feel very glamorous or monumental.  I was excited I was nervous and I was desperate.  Luckily for me Alice was wonderful, well-qualified and had a great sense of humor.  I hired her on the spot!  Even if she was only 18 she was okay working with us two ol' ladies, all of 35 and all.

Working in the Studio

Alice started with inking the tiles, she was able to use a paint pen with ease, even if there was a  certain cleaning component that she did over use once, or twice - she loved that stuff.  We were afraid that we would all die of fumes and had to air the studio and the entire house out one afternoon.....in December and in the rain.  Not a problem we laughed about it often.  Though Alice missed the first Christmas rush and tears, she has been around for every other one, always helping out when times got crazy and/or emotional.

As the months and years marched on Alice got more comfortable at Jamie's Painting & Design.  We would tease her as we sat out in the garage late at night and she would always laugh.  Not sure if she laughed due to I was her boss, or she liked our jokes.  Two stories that come to mind will always bring a smile to my face :

Back in the day we were ladies of leisure we would watch Oprah while we worked.  Oh those were  the days - everyone had to be quiet as we soaked in Ms. O's brilliant repertoire.   During one segment Oprah was discussing her weight and her issues with it.  The year is 2005 and Alice was all of 19 years old, just a pumpkin if you will.  Alice turns to us older wiser gal's and says, "Oprah used to be heavy?"

Second all time favorite story, since we worked so close to her we were able to hear all about her dating, we really did live vicariously through her.  We enjoyed the stories and often reminisced of what it was like to be in college and dating.  At one time Darin was out in the garage....er studio helping ship when he casually asks Alice about one of her past amour's, she blurts out, "Oh Darin, he is sooooo last semester!"

Alice the Accountant

As the business continued to grow it was apparent that we needed some accounting help, and as luck would have it Alice was an accounting major.  She quickly picked up billing and invoicing and took most of the responsibility over from Darin.  She continued to help ink the tiles and then would also bill our channels after she made tiles, and answer the phone al the same time.

As Alice's accounting and book keeping responsibilities grew, her art ones diminished.  We continued to refine our way of producing and manufacturing tiles and were able to eliminate one of her jobs.  Not her book keeping job, but the other messy one with that cleaning stuff....To make up the hours Alice started to do shipping labels for us and boy could she make them.  I would say she could knock out a few hundred in a few hours and I would not be exaggerating.  What took me a day and a half and two diet cokes, Alice whizzed through like a typing wizard.

Alice worked though good times and she worked through bad times, Alice saw me at my best and she saw me at my worst.  She stood by as we changed and evolved and she continued to work.  Alice never came to work in a bad mood (unlike her boss) she always had a bright smile on her face and sunny disposition.  Even if she made a mistake, she was able to move on - she did not let things bother her.....wish I could be so lighthearted.

Go Ask Alice

Late last year we had some changes in our employees and scaled back due to...well we had to.  Just  like clock work Alice was able to jump in with two feet and add more jobs to her list of responsibilities.  She started processing orders, she was ordering supplies, she kitted.  And in a pinch Alice could ribbon a tile and ship it.  A Jack....of, or an Alice of All Trades.  She had so many responsibilities it was evident that she was invaluable to the company.

With the start of 2008, the economy slowed down. Any small business owner would tell you this was not a fruitful time.  We had luckily, or not luckily spent a substantial amount of money at Atlanta the previous year so we sort of prepared for the slow year.  As invaluable as everyone was, we still had to tighten our belts, we had to be realistic and we had to be frugal.  Not the best environment for a starving college student that is putting herself though school.  Though we did prepare for a possible slow year we did not prepare for everything.  Sometimes you get what you deserve, sometimes you don't. 

Moving On Up

Last week Alice gave her two week notice, she had gotten a paid internship in a major accounting  firm and possible employment after college.  She gets paid holidays, she can get benefits - she can get what I can't give her.   I could not be more happy for her and I could not be more sad.  I feel like my daughter is going off to college, a friend is moving away and a little piece of JPD is walking out the door.  The last of the Mohican's, the last of the "girls", the last of my first employees is leaving.  To say I have been emotional for he last 48 hours would be an understatement, I will miss her terribly.

Change happens, change is good and I knew this day would come.  I am not surprised and I am not bitter and she is leaving under the best of circumstances.  I could barely look at her when she told me the news, my heart sank. 

I am so proud of Alice and I am so happy she was able to work with us for so long.  I hope her memories at Jamie's Painting & Design are are fond ones and I hope she keeps in touch.  I wish her the best of luck, and I wish us the best of luck as we dredge on without her.

The Truth Behind the Post

  August 24, 2007.

So there is nothing like getting the heck out of Dodge for a few days of R & R, you know?  We took our last (well only) vacation this summer and I was unable to use my laptop....hence the delay in this post.  Please forgive me for not posting sooner, but I did not want to get sand, sunscreen, beer, ice cream on my laptop.

It seemed my last post struck quite a cord with many an entrepreneur out there.  I am glad it did - it's nice to actually write something people comment on.  Though some did not like what I wrote - it is the truth.  It is NOT all roses when running your own business - there are good days and there are some gosh-darn take the air out of your lungs, crying with that ugly face, swearing like a sailor days......come on now, tell me that is not true?  I know you have all had some of those days - don't make me name names!   

Now I have always been honest, maybe too honest as some will tell me - but honest none the less, so I must divulge a little bit about why I wrote that post:

1. Lay Off

I had to make that very tough decision, well the decision was not hard, it was the delivery.  I think every boss lady knows when the time has come to let someone go, it is waaay past there time to er uh, go.   I find that I will give someone I work with a benefit of the doubt and keep hoping and praying it will work out.  However, it did not work out and well I felt the weight of taking the job away from someone.  Again - back to making the tough decisions and owning them - I do NOT regret the decision.

2. Real Entrepreneurs Do Not Say Those Things

Okay, come on - those "entrepreneur-isms" or "envy you" comments never come from like-minded people like us.  They come from people that are, let's face it lazy, not really thinking about what they are saying, or don't REALLY want to do what it takes to start a business.  It takes a very special person to start a business and to persevere and just you know like Nike "DO IT".  People that are serious about starting a business will pick my brain about other things, like: funding, patents, trademarks, liability, insurance, funding, marketing, workers comp, hiring, websites, email, shipping, funding - did I mention that one?

3. Think About It

Let's face it, and many of you chimed in - we would not change a thing even if we knew ALL that we know about running a business.  The freedom is huge, the monetary rewards will eventually come and the control we all have is fabulous with a capital F.   I actually have a friend that was all gung-ho she wanted to do this, this, this own your own business thing.  She thought she could - and I coached her, helped her, gave her tons of advice.  However, at the end of the day she did not have the support of her husband, it would a be a financial burden on the family and honestly I do not think she had the drive.  I believe that she had that "Ya-Butt-Syndrome" I so hate.

4. In Charge with a Capital "C"

So, um well okay, okay OKAY - I do love being in charge.  Back as long as I can remember (and I have a few old friends and a sister that will confirm this) I loved to be in charge.  What shall we play - I get to decide.  Who wants to do a skit to the Olivia Newton John song "Physical"?  Anyone?  Get back I will do the choreography.  And my very favorite (read cringing with face turning red) bossy- boss event - took over my best friends birthday party to insist everyone follow me in a Grease Lightning Dance-Off.  So....I uh, well most times do like to be in charge ("sorry Chrisser, I swear I will behave at your 40th, promise me there will be no songs from Grease though - k?").

4. Are We Having Fun Yet?

It is fun to own your own business, just the sure joy of seeing your logo up in your office, the first press you received, seeing your product in a print catalog - all things only other entrepreneurs can relate to.  Those days of signing up a new store, the first website we built, even the first brochure we printed - very, very cool things.  The pride I feel when we get a thank you from a customer, or we fix a problem and a channel tells us how much the love our products - all warm and fuzzy for sure.  There is really no job that I ever had that could compare with this one - My worst day owning my own company is better than my best day working for "The Man".

5. The Glamorous Life

Truth be told, the recognition is pretty darn cool - but I like, err uh LOVE the response Is get from this blog more than any article, TV Show, or celebrity endorsement I have ever received.  This blog is such a great outlet for me, it lets me speak my mind - it lets me use my brain and help (hopefully) other entrepreneurs.  It also gives me a forum to meet other amazing women who own their own businesses - some of them I even call friends, really, really GOOD friends.

So I hope I didn't <ahem....nervous cough> totally ruin the impression y'all had of me.  I do, I do love running my own business.  I am not sure I could ever work for anyone else again.  And I always say if this ceramic thingie ma-bob does not work out - don't worry I am sure I will do something else - you can quote me on that.

Get Right People on the Bus

In Jim Collins book, From Good to Great he spends a great deal of time discussing the bus metaphor.  He claims that you need to figure out who the right people are (great employees) and get them on the bus (in the company), then you need to get the wrong people (bad employees) off the bus.  Then, and only then can you figure out where your company....uh, er bus is actually going.

This concept has resonated with me since I read his book almost a year ago.  Let me tell you friend, it is a painful bus trip to take....with the wrong people on it.  I feel that 'Ya we got the right people on the bus', we have the right people in our corner, we know what we have to do, we know how to do it.....the bus is even driving itself.  Last year we had a staff meeting with our big announcement about a HUGE partner and the possible work load increase...one of our artists literally quit the next day.  She could not even imagine the work load increase, and good for her for recognizing that.  The rest of us looked around at each other, smiled and said, 'cool'.

If you are looking at your business and trying to figure out any of the following:

• What shall I make next?
• What are my competitors doing?  I should do that!
• What other products can I sell?
• How can I expand my product line immediately?
• How can I market my own products?
• What is the next big thing?  How can I do that?
• How do I mass- produce my products?
• What will I do if my work load increases 20% 50% or even 100%? 
• Who is on my bus?
• Bus? What bus?  It is just me ON THE BUS!

These are all very goodquestions, however you better know the answers to these questions.  These are questions you need answered before you jump into another line of products, another big change in your company.  You need to figure how to do what you do first, before doing something else.  I am a big proponent of processes, and doing things the same way,The E-Myth taught me this.  No surprises, no changes, we do what we do, and then we do it again, and again, and again.  Michael Gerber writes about this so well, it is so simple yet so complex.  He thinks businesses should all take a note from McDonald's....you always know what you are going to get - same bad food every time.

Don't get me wrong we are not perfect, we have tweaks, we have changes.  And if you are the only one on your bus, no investors, no support, but you can handle the increased work load - well then good for you.  That expression, careful what you wish for....is so true - be prepared for what can and will happen when you keep adding products/themes/sales channels to your company's bottom line.

If our orders increase by 20% or 50% or 100% we can handle the increased work load.  I have the employees, I have the warehouse space and I have the processes in place ALREADY to take that on.  I say this from experience, I have been where the orders increase, and you scramble to make them, and you scramble more, and you hire more people, and have meetings, and work nights, and then work weekends...it is another ....band aid.

Now I am not standing here pounding myself on the chest, gloating about my accomplishments.  We have grown, we have grown steady...but we are not even on the tip of the iceberg of sales channels.  I would like to be everywhere...in all stores all over the country, the world....cue evil laugh (kidding) - however, we had to fix the problems we had and work through them...and we had to find the most efficient way of doing things BEFORE explosive growth. 

We changed things, we dropped things, we altered our original product.  If you were to take our original Name Tile and hold it up against the one today there are LOTS of differences....hmmm, future blog?  Change is good, it is sometimes necessary... A product that is made by one person, hand painted in her garage vs. one that is manufactured, it has evolved, it has matured so to speak. 

You will know when the right people are on the bus, and when they are on the bus then, and only then can you figure out where the bus is going.  I may have stalled a bit, been a bit, oh distracted, but don't second guess my intentions, I know where this bus is going.  We will be riding this bus for a long, long time....

If I Knew Then, What I Know Now

Way back in January of 2003 I read this great book,"The Complete Idiots Guide to Being a Successful Entrepreneur by John Sortino" about starting your business.  It was a great read, I loved the book, yet I recall one chapter I disagreed with, and thinking to myself, "Ya right, that will never happen to me". Be Careful When Hiring Friends & Family, I seriously thought that John Sortino had lost his mind.  I can recall laying in bed and reading excerpts out loud to my husband, and laughing and laughing.  This ONE chapter, that amused me so, has haunted me through the years.

Fast forward to April of 2007 and I am a little bit wiser and a lot more cynical.  I am sure I have the grey hair (note to self, must make hair appointment ,I need highlights) and the wrinkles to prove I have weathered some entrepreneurial storms.  When I started out (I know I have stated this before) I hired friends to work at JPD, I had two small children, and a garage/studio in my home....did I mention it was in my in my home?

So...if you are thinking of hiring friends for your entrepreneurial business, please read on.  Now, do note I did NOT say taking on a partner, or a volunteer...be clear what this is about:

The end of 2003 I hired a good friend to help paint the tiles, in 2004 I hired my baby sitter's sister, then her other sister in 2005.  Soon I had hired another acquaintance and two other sisters who I had known for years.  Um, apparently no one explained the term Nepotism to me....

For awhile things worked out well, we were plugging along just fine, (Christmas of 2005, I think I mentioned was more than double the sales....double the work....double my stress)  or so I thought, or so I told myself.  Work is messy, work is not like friendship.  You have to be prepared for the consequences.  Now notice I am not even beginning to blog about working with family...just friends.  If you are thinking about hiring friends think long and hard about it.  And consider the possibilities or the consequences:

1. Money changes relationships
2. When a hierarchy exists, the friendship ALWAYS changes
3. Not everyone is as happy about your success as you thought they would be
4. Friends can and will ask for a raise
5. Friends can and will quit
6. You may need to fire a friend

Looking back, I am not sure if I would change the choices I made, or I could have done it any differently.  At the time I did not feel I could hire strangers to come into my home.  In a perfect world referrals and acquaintances would have been the best bet.  I would like to tell you that it worked out perfect and we all are still great friends, we get together once a year to laugh about our time in the garage....but that is not the truth.  Working for a friend changes the relationship, and from my experience it can never go back to what it was before.  Be careful, I warn you, be very aware of the slippery slide you are on when you hire a friend.  You must be willing to take the risk for your business and for your family.

On the first day of kindergarten I marched right up to a girl and asked her if she wanted to be my friend.  To my relief, she said yes, and we have been friends ever since.  The two of us have been seen our frienndship change through the years; sometimes great friends, sometimes good friends, even best friends - but ALWAYS friends.  Now, we live almost an hour away and our friendship consists of phone and email conversations, laughing about our past and our present lives.  We only get together a few times a year now, the friendship has changed.  She is probably one of the hardest and most dedicated workers I know...but I would never, I mean NEVER hire her.  I would not risk the friendship.

So if you are considering hiring a friend...tread carefully Grasshopper, you have much to learn.

Making a Good First Impression

IMG_0577
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

I often wonder what the first impression someone has of JPD when they hear about our products, see the website, or visit our office. I tend to still have that 'company in a garage' mentality and almost forget we have office space,a warehouse, rent. No one is making calls next to my washer and dryer anymore or faxing orders from my office, or my personal favorite storing shipping supplies in the un-used bathroom.  I tend to down play my company and it's accomplishments.

We are hoping to boost our Pet division sales this year by hiring an Independent Sales Represenative:
(http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/sls/293933404.html ) This job was posted on Craigs List almost two weeks ago.

Our first candidate is coming to the office for an interview. So...what did I do all day? Oh...called the cleaning crew and asked them to come clean the office while I lounged in my backyard, drinking margaritas and sun tanning......ya, um I wish I spent my day like that! I cleaned the office, spruced it up - got fresh flowers, filled up on sodas, and snacks.....

I want make sure the first impression of Jamie's Painting & Design is a positive one, as good as it can be anyway. Our office is clean, it is tidy, it is spacious....did I mention the flowers?

I think people, especially entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of a first impression. It is very easy to become very focused and obsessed on your business that you forget the small details. When I don't need to impress, I can let the office get messy....well un-tidy would be more like it, I am um a teensy bit anal....

It's easy to forget little details (clean toilet, fresh coffee) when you are a start-up, and doing 7 jobs. It's the little things that matter to people though...whether it is a customer or a possible job candidate. So, I went to work today so I would NOT forget the little things. I would like to say I always want to put my best foot forward, I would hope others would feel the same or do the same. That saying 'God is in the details' is so true....

It was also good for me to do something productive (last two blogs) work on something with an end.....I felt like I accomplished something. It was good to do something manual. And I work so much better when I am organized, cleaned up....doesn't everyone?

There was a quote my Dad used to say to us when we wouldn't clean up our rooms, (truth be told I was a total slob when younger). He would say it over and over, week after week, amusing himself I am sure. I never understood it....till I was an adult; "Not cleaning up after yourself is a direct reflection on your mother."  I should have her stop by tomorrow so she can see how clean my office is....she would be so proud. 

No Change Here!

IMG_0588
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

These are the "guys" that work at JPD. All retired, all pretty nice guys...except my Dad...no I am kidding!  Dad, I swear just kidding!  They are all fabulous and never say no...I am very lucky.

This is our shipping/drilling/making tiles/handyman department.

They are all part-time so that they can leave the days free for other things (golf, golf and golf and maybe beer drinking...but you did not hear that from me)

Notice we made them stand in front of the "We Can Do It" sign....we thought it was appropriate, since they lose all votes to the women in the office. We are still threatening to write a saying in the warehouse about "Women Rule" or "Well-behaved women rarely make history"

And...since Darin has a full-time job, he is not in the photo. He is our residence volunteer anyways.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaaanges.....

Now & Then
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

What a difference year makes huh? This is our "girls" photo from our recent staff meeting....ya that would be the one where we all patted ourselves on the back about how smoothly everything was going...then we had a big glitch the NEXT DAY!! I knew that was going to happen though, I heard the voice in my head say, or yell "DON'T JINX IT"...again, thanks Oprah, I know I know!! (see next post for the "guys" that work here photo)

So, this 2006 photo is taken exactly a year ago at our "JPD Open House".

What a difference a year makes, Three people from the photo are no longer here, there was actually one other artist missing from the 2006 photo who has also left the company.

JPD has grown; we have stayed the same; we have changed procedures; we do somethings over and over again....We continue to add sales channels, expand our line and to explore new revenue channels. We hire new people, we change job descriptions, we laugh and we cry (okay we all know who is doing the most crying).

Mostly looking back at a photo taken last year reminds me of how far we have come and it makes me wonder what 2007 has to offer:

Biggest Improvement:
Get out the conch shell, or the horn or something that sounds important, drum roll please.........The office can run itself without me, no no I swear it's true! Things chug along quite well without me due to my blackberry I am sure....great, fantastic employees and a fearless leader? No, uh last one I am a little biased on.  But I actually own a business, I do NOT think the business owns me (though it used to).

Biggest Change:
Production  & Processes were changed drastically and streamlined, improved would be more like it. The way we produce our products has greatly improved. You can NOT rub anything off the tile. We do NOT hand paint. It is a time less keepsake for families to cherish...

Worst Thing:
Mostly, I miss everyone that used to work here, I want to call them or email them when something new happens. I want to tell them, "Hey remember that person?" or "You will never believe who wants to carry our products now?"  Even though everyone who has crossed through this door, or my garage door has moved on.......I am still here.  In fact I should really get up, I have not moved my butt in hours in fact.

The last one, the only one, I am still here!  Which brings me to a song I heard (or a speech put to music) on the radio the other day...Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen by Mary Schmich http://www.bondon.com/sunscreen_song.html

"Understand that friends (or co-workers) come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on.  Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle (or work style), because the older you get, the more you need the people (or co-workers) who know you when you were young (or successful)."

But....I have a full-time job!

IMG_0003
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

Do these conversation sound familiar to you?

"Hi honey, I'm still at work, can you pick up the kid(s)?"
"No, I have a meeting.....I have a full-time job you know."

"Hey, do you think you can help and pick up a gift for the coaches? The other Mom's are doing so much."
"No, I work full-time"
"Um, yes, I work too, but one of the coaches is my husband"
"Oh, well can't you do it?"

"Gosh, I am so tired, I had a really hard day"
"You did? How hard could your day have been? I worked all day"

And my personal favorite.....

"Hi honey, how was work today?"
"Fine....and what exactly do you DO all day?"

Yes, if you have had any of these conversations you too could be suffering from...post-I want to smack you in the face-I work too syndrome. This ailment is caused by a**holes not respecting you for:

a. being a stay-at-home mom
b. being a working out-of the-home mom
c. being a working mom
d. being a part-time working mom
e. being a mom

Okay, these are all real conversations I had with real people at different times in my life and career....I swear. Um, a few of them were with my DH (hate that acronym but it's true, dear husband). He helps out, ya ya, he is always there for me, blah blah, and he's my biggest fan....yes, YES I know! However....he does bring home most of the bacon...as he sometimes has to remind me.  I just do not think he needs to remind me....

Being an entrepreneur and a Mom, both jobs I would classify as (to quote the army) "The toughest job you'll ever love". However, as I have quoted in the past people do not know how to classify me, nor do they know what to say.  I don't think the person who brings home the MOST money gets to be the biggest pain in the you-know-what either.  And, while I am on my rant...why must other Mom's knock those down that do not fit in to the perfect mold (stay-at-home mom vs. working mom)?  I am also tired of Mom's saying, well I do blah blah with Johnny because I stay at home you know?  YES!! I know you stay home!!! I get it, I get it, but I AM NOT YOU (and how do you know I am not doing that too?)!!!  I would never say to another mother, "Well I am getting a manicure or buying new clothes because, well you know I work" or "I can't help my child with homework because I have a job!"

Puleeeze, okay breathe, breathe.....

A few years ago I read a frightening, I mean fabulous, or wait no...insightful book about this very subject, called "Perfect Madness Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety" by Judith Warner.  It was sooo interesting, and sooo upsetting at the same time. The book (and I quote) basically says, "Mothers working outside the home were cruelly burdened with double-duty workdays and nights punctuated by anxiety and guilt; stay-at-home moms often seemed overwhelmed and depressed."  A great read, not relaxing, but worth reading for sure.

And what would Rodney King have to say about all of this this? I am sure if he were a mother he would give his famous speech...."Can't we all just get along?"

Employees from Hell? Really?

IMG_0429
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

March 7, 2007

This is from the stack of magazines that sits next to my bed. I call this my "Business Degree" reading. It does not even include Working Mother, Oprah, Bay Area Parent, Parents, E-Tailer Direct, Kids Today....

Just the other day someone was going on and on about advertising and direct marketing to me and they said, "Didn't you take advertising in college? You KNOW all this..."

Um, no I did not take advertising in college (cue sarcastic voice), I was an Art student. Art students do ART!  We do not take boring business classes.  In fact in the early 90's it was very cool to do one of the following for your senior project (guaranteed A) :

a. Come out of the closet
b. Do something naked

Yes, I fit in smashingly in the art department at SJSU, oh me with my sorority letters, big hair, big mouth, boy crazy and a love of cartoons.  Looking back, I wish we had to take some business classes, I think all college degrees should.  Sigh, but I did not take one, however that 3-Dimensional class where I built a chair that looked like a hand and the other one where I made art with little battery operated cars and painted a picture in a bath tub....wow TOTALLY helped me out in the real world.

So, with 4 1/2 years running my own business under my belt, an entire library of business books and mountains of business magazines I am reading, or have read - I AM getting that business degree.

Which brings me to the article I read today...Employees from Hell, Fortune Small Business Magazine http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/06/magazines/fsb/employees_turncoat.fsb/index.htm?postversion=2007030706

Ah, I wish I could figure out (or someone would show me) how to link to the website....

So this article discusses some small business owner's baaad to the bone employees:
1. A Drunken Forklift Driver (oh and his drunken buddy)
2. The Identity Theft Receptionist lady
3. Benedict Arnold who tries to take over your small company
4. A Guy with two duffel bags full of...gulp...semiautomatic weapons

As a small business owner, with now 9 part-time contract employees, I am not sure how this article makes me feel. I do know if I compare it to a few of my nightmares I sound like a baby:

1. Photoshop Expert, did not know how to use the program (lasted two weeks)
2. Book keeper who had 3 other jobs and claimed "this is NOT my career like you and everyone else that works there" (um, ya...at the time we were all stay-at-home mom's and college students inking tiles in my garage....my garage!)
3. Nanny for children that demanded more money after two weeks, or else...(oh she got her "Or else" for a raise)
4. Baby sitter that may or may not been stoned one day and was too busy to ever come to work

I would not EVER consider any of my employees or baby sitters from Hell. I have always found I enjoyed their company,their personality and it was probably just not a great fit to begin with. Blah, blah, blah, I should have listened to the little inner voice in my head....ya, ya I know Oprah, I know!

When I was a freshman in graphic design classes (what I thought I wanted to do when I grew up) I had this amazing teacher, that was so intense and so talented. I remember thinking that, but can not remember a thing he taught me.  Yet the thing I do remember from his class was this quote he used to say, "Make sure you learned something from every bad job, every bad experience, whatever it is, figure out what you learned"  That is what I try to do, as I hope these people I used to work with do....or did....or just don't hate me, gosh I hope they don't hate me.

This Devil wears Old Navy

IMG_0425
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

February 12, 2007.

"By all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me." Miranda Priestley

Having been a huge fan of the book, The Devil Wears Prada (http://www.devilwearspradamovie.com/), and then the movie....My aunt and I love to quote the bitchy and often misunderstood Miranda Priestly. Um, NO not to the people I work with - in jest, joking, mostly in email. Miranda had the best lines!

After the movie came out and was a big smash, there were all kinds of articles and interviews about whether you had to be a bitch to be successful.  Were you a bitchy boss?  Were you a good boss? Whether you could be good and not be bitchy? Should you be bitchy? Are you bitchy? I read them all, and tried to absorb all the nuggets of information regarding female bosses - we tended to get a bad rap after that movie.

Which brings me to today: I need to be the bitch. I need to have some 'discussions' and some conversations with some people. Without incriminating the innocent it is really not a big deal, just some un-discussed and un-clear job requirements.  The stuff of work, the stuff of businesses, the stuff of an HR department!

It would be very easy for me to just let it slide (again) and ignore the situation (again) and not address the quality of work (again). However, I feel as a successful manager and business owner I owe it to myself and my company to address the problems.....er challenges.

"The details of your incompetence do not interest me" Miranda Priestley

Some advice I am trying to follow on dealing with uncomfortable and unchartered conversations:

• Rehearse what you want to discuss
• Meet in private, not in front of others
• Stay calm
• Stay on topic
• State very clearly what the problem is
• State the solution or discuss the possible solutions
• Have a time frame for this "resolution" to take place
• Let them state their case, and defend there actions if they so wish
• Make it short and sweet
• Do not cry
• Do not yell

Okay, I can now write that on my arm Ala biology exam and check it when I am having my meetings this week.  My only saving grace is people I work with have NO problem letting me know when I am not acting professional or gracious or kind.  So....it is my turn.  In the long run I know it will be for the best.  But I still feel bad about it, and dread it.  Guess we all hate confrontation - heh?

"That's all." Miranda Priestley

And...some mistakes to ponder for 2006

Abby giving mean eyes
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 30, 2006.

And so, now I must list some of my mistakes, screw-ups, guffaws, idiotic things that I did in 2006. I hate to get all schmaltzy and emotional with y'all (previous blog) and not give ya the, "what the f*&$ was I thinking? " side also. 

The photo is my daughter with her famous "mean-eyes"....which I um, may have may given to uh....someone once or twice (gulp) this year.....

And, without further ado, my JPD Screw-Ups to Ponder for 2006 (and oh how I ponder these):

• Did not fully comprehend the cost of moving the business out of the house (there are SO many hidden costs)
• Kicking a soccer ball during my daughters soccer game and hitting her square in the face....uh, ya I can't seem to forgive myself for that one either
• Paying a bill late
• Reprimanding an employee for another persons error (uh, mine)
• Spending upwards to $2000 for a partnership with a LARGE on line retailer, and a fee per transaction and still not making all the money back
• Assuming a star employee would stay with us, even after she continued to increase her class load
• Assuming that my 'way' of doing things was the 'correct way' of doing things....you can always improve and change
• Not paying wholesale for EVERYTHING we order
• Wait till the last minute to ship new samples to Atlanta Gift Show, and end up shipping everything over night
• Forgetting to purchase Thanksgiving plates for daughters party and driving 3 towns over to find them night before the party
• Hiring family friends' children after SWEARING I would not do it again...another story
• Taking a store order without credit card since they were the 'IT' store and then having them refuse to pay for samples
• Not acting quicker on a store that went bankrupt
• Not listening to my instinct on dissolving a partnership with a Sales Representative
• Not insisting payment sooner on a channel that owed us a A LOT of money
• Not raising prices sooner
• Not getting it in writing
• Not thanking contract employees enough for their hard work, I feel I can never thank them enough...

Though I do try VERY hard not to obsess over my mistakes, I do go over and over them in my head...truth be told it's usually 4:00 a.m in the morning and I am also tossing and turning over not having scrapbooks/no valentine photos/thank you cards not done/no homemade cookies for school party/no clean sheets/no play dates for kids that week.....you fill in the blank.

As this year comes to a close I would like to observe the wisdom of one very insightful seven year old  who said to me one time I screwed up....err, made a mistake and I continued to obsess over it, "Mommy, mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn".  Thanks, sweetie, Mommy needed that pat on the back!

Happy New Year Everyone!  Thanks for reading my blog, thanks for sometimes actually commenting on it....or not, thanks for checking it out!!   

This is 2006.....um, are we smiling?

IMG_0340
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 18, 2006.

What a difference a year makes! Organization, only two carts of products for ribboning and two days left to ship.... we even have make-up, and smiles. Yes we actually were able to shower this year.

As I stated earlier, the processing of orders was drastically changed just a little over a week ago. I was skeptical at first, and even when I grabbed my ribbon scissors to help with the shortage of bow people I was still not confident about the process.

However....as I stated earlier - not - my - problem. Worked for everyone else. They also switched to clip boards when I turned around one day (used to use binders). I am not confident about this one at ALL.....having the possibility of losing orders. It's working though, so......not - my - problem.  If it ever does not work I do jump right in and 'fix' the problem, but for now all is good.

I am learning a valuable lesson this year it's called "Bite My Tongue 101". I have walked out of my office to see some change in the work room and literally had to stop my self on numerous occasions to not say anything. It has actually been good practice for me. I am someone who repeatedly puts my foot in my mouth, blurts out before thinking.

Being our fourth full Christmas I have learned to expect what I am like after the fact. Every year after the Christmas rush I am so inspired with new ideas and new products. I have so many places that I want to expand, and get no exposure, and customers, etc. I have been taking notes, jotting down ideas, painting even.....but it's hard when the 'vision' is in your head and you wait till March to act on it.

My goals for 2007 are lofty and probably out of reach. There are only so many hours in the day and the week for me to do all that I want to do. My first one is to get the new products done, and a meeting on what worked and did not work, and more channels, and more products in successful channels, oh and do a trade show....But my biggest and mostest (yes great grammar I know) important goal for 2007 - " A happy and healthy year, spending as much quality time with friends and family"

Cheers!

That was then: Christmas Party 2005

The 2005 JPD Team
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 13, 2006.

This is a photo from our 2nd Annual JPD Christmas Party, held at a local restaurant with all contract employees, volunteers (yes, some are family members).

How times and employees have changed:

• Ribbon Expert - moved on to bigger and brighter things.  She got too quick, too good and ended up leaving after Christmas Rush
• First Painter/Inker - my first contract employee, and a good friend ended up leaving to help coach her son's basketball team and volunteer more in her kid's classrooms.  She is also happily expecting baby number 5 this March
• Professional Calligrapher/Inker/Art Manager - took time off to finish school and focus on her degree
• Inker and Expert Dog Painter - had too many jobs, took time off to finish school and focus on her art
• PR/Office Person/ All around helper - needed to focus on graduating, took time off to graduate and move forward with career (has since taken a job for next Spring with TV Station in LA)
• Volunteer - she'll be back, helps out in times of crunch...will hire her when have funds
• Moved business out of the house in February of 2006
• No Christmas Party this year.....1 Year Anniversary Party in February
• Changed the way we 'create' the tiles, eventually eliminating positions that existed in the past

Our company has changed and grown so much in the last year.  Only six of the people in that photograph are still with JPD today (one is me, and 3 are family members..ya, ya I know you are saying they can't leave).  It seems like moving a business out of a home, and becoming a 'non-home based business' really changes things more than you could ever imagine.  Having to deal with rent, and business expenses, and um that rent thing.....it changes your bottom line in ways you never (or didn't want) to imagine.

The last year has brought on many, many changes at JPD.  Some that I will eagerly discuss in this blog, others are company secrets that I would have to kill you before divulging (kidding...but um, not really - please don't call and ask HOW we do it, hmmm cause it is proprietary).

I am eager to see what 2007 will bring to JPD, this year alone has brought on many changes and new challenges that we never even imagined a year ago.  Being a small business you have to be able to roll with punches, go with the flow, accept the inevitable and move on. 

I think the moving on is the toughest part for me.  Working with someone is different, you make a friend, you have a common goal, you have camaraderie, you have jokes, you have horror stories (and if you worked in a garage with that person for two or three years...you got to know them real well).  And when that friend leaves, you are still there.  You forge ahead.  You need to make do without that person.  Although the move may be good for both, you the business owner, and you the employee....it is still a change.  And....all together now, "Change is Good!"

That Was Then 2005 II

December 2005
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 12, 2006.

Oh my!  I am looking good....now I know this was late at night, I can tell since there is a beer there. Please know this was one stressed out CEO....in 2005.  The wait of the world on her shoulders, working, working....

Fast forward to December 6, 2006:

Things were starting really pick up last Tuesday. We were already up to our arm pits in orders...and then they REALLY started coming in.  December 8th was our cut-off for us to guarantee orders by Christmas.

So I went and got myself a fever and stayed in bed for three days.  My doctor thought I had strep throat, which meant no one wanted me any where near the office for at the last three days of last week.

But...er, however, time marched on, orders kept coming and work had to be done without me.  Unlike years past time did NOT stand still when I got sick, went on vacation, took an hour lunch or basically did not give 120% to the business.  What happened is that I have officially been removed of my duties in the office/shipping/work room.  I had been trying for an entire year to remove myself from the office duties.  Who knew a good bout of sickness was all that was needed?

I have to say other than being absolutely miserable with a fever it was a good, good thing.  The processing of orders, the organizing of orders, the way shipping is done, the way we kit our products, the way we process our 're-do' or 'rush' orders.....not me!  In fact when I came in this weekend I had to ask where the orders were, I had no idea who, when, where, what came in, nor did I care.  Ignorance is bliss.....

My husband has been telling me for a long time that I need to not be concerned with this part of the business.  He claims that my time is better spent; creating new products, developing strategic partnerships, preparing for upcoming trade show, writing business plan, getting PR (fill in the blank depending on what rant he is on).

Although today I am still able to rattle off which order was missing a name plaque ("That was a special request, we did a soccer ball with Jimmy's name on it, I did it last week..").  Give me a few weeks, I am sure I will be absolutely out of the loop come February...I hope.

That was then...

Tiles waiting to be ribboned
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 6, 2006.

Oh, I am so nostalgic this time of the year, looking back on our by-gone days with wonder and with it stirs up fond memories of sugar plums in my head.....

You can not see but I am basically sitting on the washing machine in the Manufacturing Department of our Garage last year. I had to bend back and contort my body into some strange shape to get this photo.

I can not decide if this picture makes me feel successful or crazy. It would be nice to walk out in the garage right about now with my fuzzy slippers and old sweat shirt and start working on tiles. Now I have to get up and get dressed and showered before venturing ten minutes away to the office.  Back a year ago when I could not sleep (was awake at 4:00 a.m. this morning, and pretty sure my immune system is shot because I am sick once again) I would get up and work to relieve the stress.....now leaving home to to work on a Wednesday morning at 4:00 a.m. (in my pajamas) sounds a bit crazy.

We are successful, but I think it's mostly the will to survive, this is the reason some small business crumble while other march on, and on and on.  I have a can-do attitude, I do not take no for an answer (well I take no, but will just do it myself if someone says no, or go back time and time again till they say yes).  I have read countless books and magazine articles on entrepreneurs, small business success and failure stories.  One thing that gets me up in the morning, keeps me going when I have a fever (now), work when I don't want to is that I never ever think for a moment this won't survive.  Nor do I do believe we will not succeed.

Hmmmm......reading what I wrote just now maybe I am a wee bit crazy also (4:00 a.m. sounds so much crazier when you see it written down).

It was the best of times.....

Christmas 2005 in the garage
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 3, 2006.

....it was the Worst of Times.

Another view of the 'factory' that was Jamie's Painting & Design in the garage....Having to increase your work load to 3x the normal capacity (in one week) is a hard thing for any company to do.  Let alone we were one with 4 college students, 3 Stay at Home Mom's,4 family friends and a stressed out partridge in a pear tree. 

I still can not believe we stayed in the garage for over three years, doubling year after year our sales and what we pushed out the door (and oh how we pushed...).

As far as learning from last year a couple things do come to mind:

First of all, we did what had to do to get things done.  And I do mean 'we', everyone pitched in, everyone worked extra, everyone helped out to do what had to be done.  We had zero mistakes, we had zero breakage, and we had VERY happy customers and channels.  We stayed the path...we stayed in the garage, though crowed and painful...and I am officially breaking cardinal rule number one that is posted on the wall....as I was saying it was Bootstrapping 101.  To be successful in business you have to persevere, you have to charge ahead and you have to scrape by to make ends meet.

Second, as I stated many, many times I spent some of that RUSH time in tears.  I was not the nicest, nor patient person last Christmas (Clara, I owe you a drink....).  In fact when I was working 12 to 14 hours in my office scrambling to get work finished my husband posted a sign on the door, "DON'T INTERRUPT THE OVER-WORKED, OVER-STRESSED MICRO-MANAGER'S OFFICE".  Ya, need I say more?  I am doing everything in my power to NOT be that person this year. I am checking it once and checking it twice, working weekends, making calls, bringing food and drinks to all...

I keep saying I won't repeat history,and I need to learn from mistakes.  My good cyber-friend's blog (http://mylittledish.blogspot.com/) had this quote last week that resonated with me (as it did her), "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome!"

I am posting this over the door to my office and anywhere else that I might need a gentle reminder (or kick in the face) before good ol' hubby posts a different sign for me. 

What Happens in the Garage Stays in the Garage

last day shipping Christmas 2005
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

December 3, 2006

This was 2005, last Christmas Season in the Garage. We have a 2 car garage, that a year ago JPD housed the following:

- A Shipping Department

- A Manufacturing Department

- A Ribbon Department

- An Inking Department

- Two computers

- Three Printers

- Drying Racks

- A Washer & Dryer

- A TV

- Upwards to 9 people on any give night those last two weeks of December

This photo alone (and the following) give me claustrophobia to say the least.  We were literally making tiles, ink, ribbon, ship.  Those last two days were crazy.  They don't even show the entire garage (see next blog).  The fact that we got anything done in that sweat-shop I now call a garage is insane.  I am happy and relieved that we are no longer there....

How big is your Company?

Sign we are a real business
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

November 22, 2006.

Small company looks big? Small company pretends to big? Or just don't tell...

I read an article a few weeks ago in Fortune Small Business, Play Big by Julie Sloane. The article talked about with technology today companies could seem big without really being that big. It started off with a Southern California Software company that had no employees, just the two founders and four engineers in India. They used and actress/phone system that answered the phone and routed the problems or questions to the correct department (either one of the founders wearing whatever hat was needed). The company would not even allow the company's name listed in the article for fear of what their customers would think.

Having run the business out of the garage for 3+ years, I found this article fascinating, I kept it by my bed and read out passages to my husband at night. In his defense he was just trying to watch a little sports highlights and I would not have it. This is EXACTLY what we have been doing at JPD for these past four years, and we never thought a second about it.

I used to be embarrassed about it, never admitting to people I met or especially prospective channels. I just let them think we were working in the studio (garage) or I was in the office (garage), or shipping department (garage). I guess to some we were lying, but I don't think so. We just let them assume these departments were run out of an office and different parts of the company.

The point is, we fooled everyone, until we confided in them, our channels thought the business was run out of a commercial office building. Even now we are not a huge company, but we give off a very professional image:

• Website - Built professionally, shopping cart, photographs professional
• Brochures - Printed on press, not on my black and white printer
• Logo - Created by Graphic Designer
• Customer Service - Excellent and always professional
• Phone System - not my home number, a service, a second line for the business
• Email - not home email, no kids footer or information about being a home business
• Titles - Everyone had a title (bookkeeper, accountant, graphic artists, publicist, shipping clerk, etc.)

Now nothing wrong if you don't do these things - we just did.  And it worked for us.  We acted and still do act like a big company with policies, processes and procedures. 

Late last summer we nabbed a very large channel.  I had tried many, many times only winning the channel over after sending samples of our products.  After many conversations setting us up in their system, and working together flawlessly for a few months the website administrator paid us a big compliment (we laugh about it still to this day), "You know we work with lots of much smaller companies, the artisans we usually work with are not nearly as a big a company as yours."

I rest my case.

Weekly Updates at JPD

Good News at JPD
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

November 20, 2006

27 days and counting till we ship our final products for the year….Every year I fight to keep the last day for orders as late in December as possible (it's December 8th this year). I get push back, people want me to cut-off on December 1st, but I just can't.  I can't get my shopping done by December 1st so I think how can I make my customers?

So, that being said I have started a weekly email, letting all our contract employees know how many tiles will be shipping that week.  I don't know if it makes it worse, or better but everyone agreed this would be helpful at the last staff meeting.  I guess they are all buying into my mantra of 'Information is Good', so I am hoping it helps. 

I also put up a 'Good News at Jamie's Painting & Design' board up in the break room.  This has been long over due - I had the idea three months ago.  Basically I have posted thank you cards, and thank you emails from customers and channels - praising some extra effort someone did here.  I hope it makes everyone else feel as good as it makes me feel.  I keep every single thank you card and /or email I get - it means the world to me.

This week I wanted to include a little item about watching your work in the email, and looking for mistakes and paying close attention due to the increase in products going out.  I had my husband review the email.  He nixed the idea immediately - not relevant he claimed.  He said they are doing the best they can, and you need to just give positive reinforcement. He was right.

I feel everyone  (even the boss) needs someone to check them, someone that is able to veto them when they make a decision.  When starting your business (or if you already have) make sure there is some there that can check you - someone without a hidden agenda, someone you trust.  I am lucky, I have a husband that is willing to do that for me.  He keeps me grounded, and helps me write (no, no not the blog though, even HE won't read it anymore, humph!)