Jamie's Blog

Closing of A Business....no wait NOT Mine

November 21, 2012.

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal.  You will regret not spending time with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent." ~ Barbara Bush

I have had some good & bad times running Jamie's Painting & Design.   I tend to like to focus on the good times (like most everyone) instead of the bad times.  However, the bad memories, or bad times are just as much a part of my ten years in business as are the good times.  Sometimes when things get really bad I start to consider closing Jamie's Painting & Design.  Luckily, I never get past the question, "What the hell would I do?"  As I hit my ten year mark this November I just can't imagine not working on and in this company.  Next year, I may have a different take on the state of Jamie's Painting & Design, but for now  all is good.

Sadly, that is not the case for all of my counterparts, competitors and friends.  The last few years have been tough on the small business owner that makes children's products.  I would say the problems started about five years ago, but I already touched on that - and who wants to go there again?  Some companies weathered the storm, some closed, some licensed their work and some of us stuck it out.  I don't know if it would have been better to close before the storm, or weather the storm only to close after surviving it - but we did what we thought was the best for our company at the time.  Just this past week I have spoken to two other partners/friends that will most likely be closing their doors at the end of 2012 or early in 2013.  This will probably not be my last post of this nature:

Say Goodbye to My Little Dish

It is with a very heavy heart and much sadness to report as of November 9, 2012 My Little Dish has officially stopped taking orders for their very popular Personalized Prayer Plates.  Once those plates are painted and shipped to customers, the doors will be a closing and closing for good.  

This was not an easy decision for them to make, nor was it one they ever thought would actually happen.  After an incredible partnership with a large company ended, London Edwards was left with hefty obligations and wasted inventory.  Her existing sales were not going to be enough to keep My Little Dish profitable.  

London started My Little Dish late in 2001.  It was soon after the 9/11 when like many Americans were craving traditional things in their lives, so was she.  She wanted to find a way to appreciate the small things and create special memories for her children.  It all began with an idea for a dinner plate.

London’s husband. Patrick, had received a set of hand made, personalized plastic plates as a child from a very dear aunt. The plates were being used by her boys and began to show some wear and tear. London adored the idea and decided she wanted to make them their very own plates to use and pass down.  The original Prayer Plate TM was born. The hand painted adorable children's dish had a prayer inscribed around the rim.  It was meant to teach children a variety of dinner prayers.  The company’s original line proved to be a big hit among retailers and even launched a major licensing program with a national gift ware company.

Sad to See Another Business Go

I have written about London and our unique friendship in the past.  I have written about our 
numerous trips to Atlanta, when we attended for fun and when we exhibited and worked together.  I have blogged about her success as a Mompreneur and I have even discussed her incredible luck (and talent) that landed her in the most coveted catalog of the Children's Industry.....Pottery Barn Kids.  Ironically enough, that is one of my popular blog posts and every few months I still get a few random emails from small business owners asking me for the connection to get them into PBK (Connections I never had....it was London, not me with the connections).

"Sometimes when we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open." ~ Alexander Graham Bell

I started to write this post a few weeks ago, as I was in contact with London as she went through this major life transition.  I have had a hard time trying to write what I felt and how I am guessing she felt during this tough transition.  I hope I was able to help her as she set off on a new chapter of her life.  I don't think this change will alter our friendship, as in the last few years we talked less 'shop' and more life.  Our IM and texting conversations are less and our phone conversations are almost non-existant.  But that does not mean that we are no longer friends, or that I do not think of her constantly and all that she has to wrap up.

As I was writing this post I was able to go back over my posts, her posts and smile remembering happier times.  I also tried ot link to her website, but it has been pulled down already.  For some reason that made me sadder, that made it real.  So it is, one of my competitors, yet one of my best friends in the business is no longer making personalized ceramic plates with me.  We have not spoken in a few weeks but word on the street is she is good with her decision and happy with what her future has in store.  This makes me happy for her and hopeful she is satisfied with her decision.  So, when we talk again we can focus on other things....like life and gossip and where are we going to meet in 2013. 

All Wrapped Up in Warm Biscuit Bedding

November 16, 2012.

I got a call from my past yesterday, and I heard a voice on the other line that I had not heard for over a year.  The voice of a woman that I admired, respected and even idolized at one point in my career.  If there was one person I could attribute the early success of Jamie's Painting & Design (other than my husband) it would be her.  As soon as I heard her Texas drawl it brought me back to the fall of 2003 when we first met.

Meeting Vicki Bodwell

Our partnership with The Warm Biscuit Bedding Company started in the fall of 2003, but did not come to fruition until the catalog featuring our products dropped early in 2004.  But our story did not really start then, it started much earlier for me.  After leaving the work force to become a stay at home mom in the summer of 1999, I remember getting Warm Biscuit Bedding catalogs in the mail.  I would pour over them, wishing I could do something that could be sold in the catalog.  So, wishing I had a creative outlet, other than my current one - faux painting & re-painting my hallway while taking care of my infant son.

After starting Jamie's Painting & Design in the fall of 2002 I slowly quickly started picking up boutiques and on line stores.  By the summer of 2003 I thought I had enough experience and confidence in my product to send Vicki Bodwell, the owner of Warm Biscuit Bedding Company an email.  It took a lot of time, a lot of re-writes and a swift kick from my husband to actually send her the email.  Shocking to me she replied......the Vicki Bodwell I had been following for years.  And not only did she reply, she agreed to carry my products.

Looking back I know for a fact that this was by far one of the most important and altering decisions of my company's existence.  Her decision to take a risk on a small business owner changed the direction of  Jamie's Painting & Design forever.  The doors that her bedding company opened for me were many.  Her sales were nothing we had ever seen, nor would I ever see again in the following years.  It was, and still is probably the highlight of my career in the children's industry. I do not think I have ever been more excited by anything than the prospect of working with the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.

2004 Changed Everything

I find it hard to explain the pride and the joy I felt when I first saw my signature name tiles wall letters in the WBB catalog.   I had spent time creating a few designs that I thought would compliment her bedding....and they did.  Not only were we in the the catalog, we had the back cover - this is the primereal estate spot if you ever get your product in a catalog.  At the time I did not realize how much of an honor (and risk) this was for Vicki and her team.  Lucky for me we were up for the task and we were able to meet all of the demands of her customers.

Over the years I was able to work with Vicki and her team, we were developing new designs and new products that complimented her bedding.  She started selling our ornaments, birth announcements, plates and name plaques.  We created exclusive designs to compliment most of her bedding.  We brain stormed (eek, how I missed doing that!) on the phone for hours at a time.  I even visited her in New York three times and she came and stayed with me to attend BlogHer together.  Our business relationship quickly turned into a realfriendship.

To say it was fun when we were on that drunken ride of success together, would be a huge understatement.  We were shipping hundreds and hundreds of products out weekly.  We had press, we had excitement and everyone that had a baby knew who we were.  It was like having a bar stool at Cheers for me.  It was an amazing time to own a business, especially a woman owned business.  We were in the eye of the Mompreneur Storm and we reveled in it.  Vicki was held up (correctly) as a huge successful Mompreneur with a very successful bedding company.  It was some good times we shared..... I like to say we'll always have Paris,  I mean those memories.

Everything Good Thing Must Come to an End

Sadly we amicably ended our partnership with The Warm Biscuit Bedding Company in 2009.  We had outgrown each other and found that it was best to go our separate ways.  First we had the crisis with lead in children's products in 2007, then the recession hit all of us in the industry hard in 2008.  Things would never be the same again, everything changed.  Money was tight, orders were smaller and both our business models were changing.  As much as I missed the sales and the brain storming sessions, I missed our friendship....I missed talking to her.  

So, yesterday (and an other call today because we had a whole year to catch up on y'all) wereminisced about the good old days.  I had my own little Glory Days moment with someone that was there in the trenches with me through the good and the bad times.  Sometimes we were on the same track, other times we were not - but we always talked about it.   Talking to Vicki reminded me how much I enjoy keeping my old friends around and why I refuse to replace them.  It was just comforting to talk to a friend in the business. So, when I half joking tell her, "I used to be somebody", at least she laughs and then agrees with me.

 

I Don't Care

May 10, 2012.

I was reading all over the web everyone all a flutter this morning regarding the whole Mom breast
feeding her....I don't know 9  year old son (okay he is almost four.....but still) on the cover of Time Magazine.  I read a lot of comments for and against the photo.  Mother's saying it was beautiful, others saying it was gross - and so goes another ridiculous worthless argument about who is a better mother.  

I even started to get involved in the dialogue and started imagining my post on this attrocity to society.  Ya, but not for or against breast feeding toddlers, because I am more concerned with the poor boy and what he may will go through as he grows older.  I mean, was anyone thinking of that four year old boy being a ten year old, a fourteen year old or a seventeen year old trying to date a girl?  I am sure the "Boob Man" jokes will be making a big pressence tonight on Late Night TV.  That poor kid, he will most likely be ridiculed forever, even when he  just orders a chicken breast.  I seriously was gonna dedicate a whole post to it, and ask my soon to be thirteen year old what he thought.....and then I sighed and said to myself, "I don't care."

Not to sound insensitive or crash - but I don't care.  I don't need to spew my own over-inflated opinion out there (even though the irony that I just did is not lost on me).  I don't need to tweet how for/against/agast I am at the provcative pose she is making on the cover.  It's her life and it is her bed (and her son's bed) that she has to lie in....no pun intended since the story is about that type of parenting.

I Don't Care Anymore

I loved being a part of the Mommy Blogosphere for a few years (even though I detest that word).  It was fun to write for an awesome website that got tons of comments and I liked writing about controversial subjects.  Going to Blogher was amazing, meeting some of my heroes in person was amazing.  Getting all the free food, drinks & silly crap they gave away - all Amazing.  I was all about linking, commenting, blogging and staying up on the stupid Twitter feed.  

Now-a-days, I really have no desire to spend countless hours doing all that any longer.  I still love me some Facebook (and now Pinterest) but I don't want to dedicate that much time to the craft of blogging.  The end result (for me) was not as rewarding as one would have thought.   I loved it at the time.....now, ah I am going to say it, "I don't care".

It's not that I dislike or am jealous of the other bloggers out there - it just does not interest me any longer.  Sort of like battling over breast vs. bottle - those days are long gone and I don't care what anyone (or how) they feed their kids.   Everyone seems so damn sensitive these days if other people do not conform to their ridulous standards.  As long as it does not affect me and my children, "I don't care."

Now, don't get me wrong, I still love to blog/write and I will probably do it till I die, but eh.......not religously, not daily and not for profit.  Unless of course some editor comes a callin' and asks me to write a book or my super duper ever exciting memoir...then okay - I will do it.  But until that fantasy comes to life........I just don't care.

I Used to Care, But Now I Don't

I used to go after press for Jamie's Painting & Design and more importantly Jamie with a vengence.  I was a rapid Mama Grizzly Bear on a mission and I was actually quite good at it.  Maybe not so much good - but I had a good story and most times were at the right place at the right time.  Other than getting into People Magazine and on the Oprah Winfrey Show or in her magazine, I accomplished everything I ever imagined for my business in the eyes of the press corps.  

Also, I am not proud to admit this, but I used to turn green with jealousy when other entrepreneurs in my industry (or just close to it) got awesome press.  I assumed they were showered with sales, celebrity clients and calls from......Oprah of course after they were featured in some magazine.  I would obsess over it and would waste countless hours courting that very magazine that just ran a story similar to mine.....ya, not proud of that.  Eventually it would work out and I would get the press from that magazine, a newspaper, TV show - whatever, it came at some point.  

Again, sticking with the theme of this post, I just don't care anymore.  I mean if it happens that would be great - but I am not in the mood to go out and try to get it with my mouth frothing while I repeat my story for the 45th time to some reporter.  I am more a 'Been There, Done That' kind of girl.  The reason being is most of the press did not put $$$ in my pocket, or even equal sales.  Press did equal more press (which is a whole other post about people only want to write about you if some other reporter already did) but it rarely equaled sales.  I loved me some press, but I could not and can not pay for college bragging about being on Dr. Phil.  So......don't care.

I Could Care Less

I have mentioned many, many times how I kept up on my competition pretty closely for many years.  There are many reasons why I did this and I stand by my choices for doing it.  I really think you (me) need to know what is going on in your industry so that you can stay ahead.  This is especially important when you are a young company and a newbie to your industry.  You can not lay on your laurels - because frankly you don't have any.  

Fast forward to what is coming on our ten year mark this November and well, I guess I will take a peek once in a great while at other companies.  Honestly, most of my competition is gone - that is not me bragging, they just are.  Many, many small companies went away in the Recession or they licensed their work to larger companies.  

Also, the trends in the Children industry have sort of hit a lull in my humble opinion.  There are not exciting color combinations and amazing designs coming out these days.  I remember reading that in a Recession (or Depression) people go back to comfort foods, calm & safe colors and designs.  It makes sense and it made for a boring few years of designing new products.  So, now a days I will keep an eye on some othe companies but I am pretty sure if they develop a new design before I do, it won't be the end fo my company or the world.  I tend not to care if they do or if they don't.

What I Do Care About

I know this post sounded very negative and I yes I am singing that 80's song in my head as I write it, but stay with me.  As much as I enjoyed carying soooo much too much about these distractions in the past, I am glad I don't any longer.  I can focus on my business and my family.  I can spend my time caring about getting out good products and getting them on time to our customers.  I still want our customers to love our products and I still care about making them.

I still get excited about new designs.  Even though it has been two long years since I came out with new designs for my company I have worked on designs for sports teams, schools and various licensing companies.  I care about new partnerships, relationships and promotions with other companies.  I care about new customers (and old ones) instead of my competiton and my presence in the press.     I care about me and my happiness, instead of bending over backwards working 24 hours straight to please a channel partner that won't even pay me on time.  I care about my family and our quality of live instead of my blogs popularity and the number of readers I had last week.

So while the rest of the internet blows up over the latest boobie sighting, I will not be joining the conversation.   I am pretty sure my son's email is blowing up right now with this one photo being shared amongst all teenagers around the country.   I am going to spend the evening with my family and most likely explaining to my son about the dangers of a controversial photo and how it can haunt you....forever.  

Moving, Moving....Moved

August 22, 2011

I have been thinking about this post for a long time and I had it all planned out as to what I would say, what photos I would show and how in control I would be.  This post, however will not be as I imagined.  First off I broke my camera and the two I borrowed are still packed in some box.  And, this is sort of like all my pregnant friends that spent hours on their "Birth Plans" expecting their labor to turn out like they wanted it to. I have found that life is never what we expect it to be.  I never believed in a Birth Plan myself, it was sort of like if I wrote how I would like it go, I assumed that it would go exactly the opposite.  Murphy's Law and me we got a good thing going and things pretty much never turn out the way I expect it to.  Not to say that it usually works out in the wrong long term, but I laugh at the people that have their life all mapped out.  I don't think life can be mapped out, no matter how hard I still try to map it out.  Hell, I have recently been  forced to accept the fact that I can't even use maps very well.

Moving Out of My Comfort Zone

So, here it is I moved and not just around the block or to the next town over.  I moved 2 1/2 hours away to a whole new area code and a whole new lifestyle.  This from the girl that was never leaving the Bay Area, the girl who rolled her eyes at others that left and always swore I was staying put no matter what.  Well guess what?  No matter what or a specific matter came a calling and made me look at a number of things and I had to eat crow and put my tail between my legs and say to people, "Never say never."  

My family and I moved and my business is moving up in two days.  We put the business on vacation for two weeks to hopefully get me situated and now I am supposed to be ready for it to come to me.  My few remaining employees will be staying in the Bay Area as I prepare for the holidays alone, possibly hiring one employee to help me out.  Manufacturing will stay in the Bay Area for the time being and we will work within our means to keep our customers happy.

The space we have for the business is good sized and it will hopefully be able to grow back to where it was in the pre-recession days.  I am almost nine years into this adventure and I am thinking that whatever happens, then that was what was supposed to happen.  I no longer subscribe to the Self Help Books, the Seminars or the quick fix to getting your business successful bullsh*t.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it means nothing to me.  If we grow big again, then great, if we don't then so be it.  Life is too short for me to spend 14 hours of each day obsessing on my business.  My children are growing, people I love have left me or left this world entirely.  It is only a company and this is only a job.  I still love what I do, but I no longer let it run my life.  

 Moving Sucks

One of the other reasons for not blogging was that I could not put into words how much moving has affected me.  Leaving an area I lived for almost 42 years of my life was harder than I ever thought it would be.  I know people that have moved some 32 times in their lifetimes and others that move every two years for work - but that is not me.  I was settled, I was a local girl and I loved where I lived.  Let me rephrase that, I loved the people that lived near me.   I still love those people and even after two short weeks, I so do miss them.

I talked a good game to friends and family, always touching on all of the positive points about the move and focussing on what we would gain, instead of what we would lose.  I only teared up a few times in public or in front of my immediate family.  I kept those dark sad times for when I was alone and I cried about who I would miss, I cried for my children and I cried about the unknown.   I let myself be sad for the changes and I still get choked up once in awhile here in our new home. 

Except, whenever my children would cry or express their fears I shut it down, way down.  I was able to not cry and talk them through their rough times.  Something deep down in the Mommy that I am, I kept it together for them.  I had dogs with explosive diareahea from the stress of the move, I had family members that were hysterical and I had friends made me cry just by a simple text about how they would miss us.  I am not made of steel, nor do I pretend to be.  I just forced myself to be "in the moment" and look ahead and not behind. 

We Moved in, but not Settled In

It has been two weeks since we moved into our  home and in my crazy world I would think we would be settled and calm.  This is far from the truth.  The garage is still full of boxes and no one can figure out where I put the bowls for breakfast (for the seventh time they are in the center island!).  We have had workers here every day and we have found that movers are a very interesting creative bunch that will wrap your my china in my son's bedding....not kidding.  I have also  found that getting lost in a strange town is not that bad.   For the most part strangers can be very friendly.  It is humbling to rely on the kindness of strangers when you just need a fly swatter.

I spent months second guessing myself and I wondered if this was really the right decision for our family.  I agonized over if this was right for our family or was it the right time to move.  Right before we moved a friend said something to me that made me thing we had made the right decision; "You actually did it.  You did what we all talk about doing some day.  You really did it.  I can't believe you made the decision and you stuck with it.  Good for you and good luck." 

 

These Are & Those Were The Days

As I already tweeted or facebooked (is that even a word?) we are downsizing , and we are doing it big time.  I am not saying that I was not sad (okay, yes I cried a few tears if you must know) by the huge change and pressure to downsize.  We are sub-letting space(s)  and moving some employees to work from home.  We can actually do that you know - without sounding like we losing the battle with the Economy.  I am not saying I am thrilled, but to be honest thinking smaller, meaner and leaner sounds pretty good to me these days. 

When we rented our space 4 years ago we were growing in leaps and bounds and had at any night up to 8 employees in the studio working.  It was very cramped and it was exhausting to manage everyone's schedules.  From morning till night we had people coming in and out of our home.  It wasn't their fault, heck I hired them - it was just too much for me to handle.

The Dog Days Are Over....Almost (oh and yes, yes I do  LOVE that song!)

The Economy still...uh sucks, and retail is um oh well it is challenging (I am trying my best to not be negative or have a potty mouth - so work with me) to say the least.  The Economists (the ones that are not totally bipartisan) claim that we will start seeing some real job growth and recovery in the summer of 2011.  I figure the worst is behind us and we can only get better, right?  Like I mentioned in last post - it could be worse, and right now I soooo know that.  I am thankful for all I have and I am still willing to pull up my pants by the boot straps (okay what does that even mean?  Stir-Up pants? Suspenders? Booty straps maybe?). 

Out With the Old In With the....Not Much New

Anyway - our lease is up and we are outta here.  I have actually started to get excited about scaling down and getting rid of extra baggage.  I already have a pile of decorations, frames and office decor on the table in the work room just ready to throw on Craig's List.  I also have a butt load...ton of inventory/samples/errors/duplicate orders to get rid of.  I am thinking 65% to 75% off retail to my Facebook Fans.  We won't have the space to just keep tons and tons of inventory and samples, which again is good and smart (I think).

So, while pulling a part my office space I have been doing a lot of thinking.  Just ripping nails out of walls and photographing all the samples we have in our warehouse has made me think a lot about the past, and mistakes I have made.  While cleaning out our space I came across some interesting items, and by interesting I mean all my notes, invoices and orders from our eight years in  business.  Most importantly (or most depressing) we saved them from 2005, probably the most prosperous year for Jamie's Painting & Design and the worst year for me personally. 

2005....It was the Best of Times, it was the Worst of Times

So after pouring through the entire year in sales for 2005 I am able to look back with (I hope) an un-biased and rational eye.  The good, the bad and the oh so ugly literally jumped off the pages at me.  The orders, the notes take me right back to that year.  The way we stamped each order and signed off on the inking, the ribboning and the shipping - it was so time consuming.  I can see the mistakes we made and I can see the right decisions we made.  I can remember what it felt like, I can recall most of that year.  It was my last year of not sharing (that is code for before I started this blog) of hiding in my "in-house studio/garage" and finally realizing I was/am a really bad manager.  It was a simpler time back then, or so it seemed.

The Worst of Times in 2005:

• My Living Room had popcorn and bubblewrap  in one corner
• We never entertained because of our employees/business/supplies that flowed into every room
• My un-remodeled Master Bath was un-usable due to boxes and boxes of tiles stored in it
• My life was my business, and my business was my life
• I started work  (and my husband also) at 6:00 a.m. and usually till well past midnight 7 days a week
• We got an order for birth certificates for triplets from a channel, but one was still-born.  We refused to charge them for the 3rd birth certificate.  We got a heart-wrenching thank you letter from the customer.
• My daughter was put in the hospital the middle of December because she could not breathe.
• A few days before our drop dead date Warm Biscuit Bedding sent us a 100 page fax with more than 100 missing orders, due to a malfunction in their system (good for orders - bad that we were having a hard time filling all orders).
• At least 30 plates were shipped 2 day  (on our dime) and overnight (again us) to make our guaranteed Christmas deadline
• I was a bitch to everyone
• No really I was not a nice person

The Best of Times in 2005:

• Our orders were huge, people ordered Name Tiles for their daughter ISABELLA....now they order an I
• Everyone paid their bills on time
• Most companies gave us credit cards and they were never over their limits....NEVER!
• My employees made a lot of money and were paid top dollar to paint/ink our tiles
• I never had to take off my slippers to go to work
• That was the year Roy Disney ordered a tile
• We grew the business by 50% from the year earlier
• Darin (husband in case you are new) worked with me a lot - which I totally enjoyed.
• We had our first TV appearance at the un-godly hour of 6:00 a.m.......for one of our ornaments on The CBS Early Show.
• I got to work with some fabulous women, and I so looked forward to when they came into the office/studio/garage.

 The Past is in The Past

I am not one to really focus or obsess on the past.  I have never been that person, and I do not plan on changing.  When my friends were crying because our children stopped breast feeding, or started walking & talking - I was celebrating.  I approached parenthood like a project, with me checking of an invisible box when my child reached a milestone.    After each big event I gave a big "Hoo Ha!" and waited for the next.  I embraced change, I encouraged growth and I detested trying to hold our children back, but instead focused on moving them forward.

My business, though not as monumental or important as raising my children I have tried to come at it with the same philosophy.  It is hard for me to talk with young (wait for it, I am not being evil)  entrepreneurs that only came into their business within the last 2 or 3 years.  It is just that being an Entrepreneur during a Recession is not like being one during the Glory Days.  Yes, some things are similar - most are not.  Their growth is nothing like mine was and their losses are nothing like mine are/were.  Though in their defense they are probably smarter, leaner and more timid when it comes to taking risks.  Even as little as their companies  grow, they see the best, they are so positive - they are me from five, four or even eight years ago, an even though I do not want to go back to 2005, I wish I could talk to that me.  I wish I could give the me of January of 2005 a bit of advice.  And not that I have given it much thought (oh but I have), my speech would go something like this;

"Look Jamie I know that the last three years have been amazing and your business has been all that you can think of (or talk about - and trust me, your friends & family have all heard just about enough about it), but times are changing.  This year is going to be your toughest yet.  You will find yourself hiring a large number of employees. Please remember, with managing people comes a great responsibility.  You may (will) have to acknowledge that you are not a very good manager.  While we are discussing your weaknesses, I happen to know that  you do not separate business from personal life very well either.   Don't shoot the messenger, but this year will bring you to your knees - literally, not metaphorically.  You will be forced to accept that you can not separate business and home life and let's face it your business may (well will, but I am the wiser Jamie of 2011) over-run your home life.  Sales will be good or dare I say it better than ever."  

"Though I ask you at what cost?  I advice you to stay calm, stay sane and realize that this growth you have experienced will not keep up forever.  Look at the history of our country.  Lastly Jamie - try not to be so tightly wound and anal.  Try really hard not to be a.....uh a bitch.  You will thank me later.  Also, don't be in such a hurry to move the business out of the house.  Times are not as bad as you think, and you can work better/smarter/more efficient if you are willing to look at other options.   Lastly I would suggest you breathe, just breathe and enjoy your success - it will not last forever." 

Back to the Future of 2011

Oh how I wish like Back to the Future the Older Marty McFly could have sat me down and gave me that speech....oh wait I guess it would have been the older wiser Jamie McFly.  Anyways, if anything at least I have learned and grown from my very very hard lessons.  I hope I did not hurt those that worked for me.  I hope that they have forgiven me for the way I was.  As I look to downsize I think quite a bit about all those employees that worked with me in my garage.  I look around my now empty garage and wonder what they think of those years.  I may never know,  but I hope they know I am sorry and I wish I had handled that year better.

Top Ten Things I Didn't Share in 2010

When I was a little girl I always loved the end of the year specials on the news.  They would go over the highs and lows of what happened that year.  I was always so upset if I missed "The Year in Review".  As I got older I became obsessed with the top 10 songs of the year or the top 10 celebrities, top 10 books - I still get all sucked in to those stories. 

I thought maybe I should do that, well not 10 best things but my Year in Review on the blog.  Then I realized that was pretty much the easy way out and I would only be me just cutting and pasting parts of posts I wrote this past year.   Instead I am going to share the top ten things I did NOT share with you this year.  Sometimes I did not feel it warranted a whole post, other times I did not want to share.  Yet, here we are at the end of the year and I figured what the hell I will share what I have learned and what I have NOT blogged about;

1. The End of Warm Biscuit Partnership

Sadly we ended our 6 year relationship with The Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.  There was not knock-out drag out fight or an email battle, we just went our separate ways.  I will only say that with the tough Economy we need to be paid within our 30 day agreement or have a credit card on file - times are/were/still are tough.  Some larger companies are not able to do that - so that is that.

Truth is I really do miss working with them and the friendship I had with their founder, Vicki Bodwell.  What I miss most is the collaborative designing her like I used to do.  She was and is one of the most creative and talented people I have ever met.  Talking  to her could be exhausting at times, she would bounce from one idea to another - I could not take notes fast enough to keep up with her very active mind.  Yet, even if I was exhausted after the call I was ALWAYS energized, motivated and inspired.  I miss those calls.

2. Wall Tiles Fundraiser Project & Then Again

We did another wall tile fundraiser for a local grammar school in San Mateo.  The project lasted most of the first part of 2010 and was finished right before school ended.  When we ordered the tiles from our supplier and discussed the tiles being hung outside and in the sun, there response was something like (and yes I may be exaggerating, but they did say OK) "Okey Dokey sounds fine by us.....how do you want to pay for that?"  What they should have said was, "Um you should not have our tiles hung in direct sunlight because they will fade.....how do you want to pay for that?"

What happened is we had to do the tiles twice, because they were hung in direct sun light.  It was an unfortunate incident and I felt awful for the school.  However, I did the right thing and I got a discount when we re-ordered the tiles....again for the school.  Our supplier apologized for not being forthright and then asked for our credit card number.  A hard lesson to learn during a very hard year.

3. No Sales + Late Payments = Late or No Rent

For the first time in the last four years of renting our space we have NEVER not been able to pay rent.  This year I got to give the 'ol "Never Say Never" speech.  It was a very depressing fact and it was sobering to watch our sales slow down even more than the previous year.  If 2008 saw the Economy collapse, then 2009 was flat I would say 2010 just sucked.  Almost every one of my channels that I spoke with agreed with me - sales were worse in 2010 then 2009.  Other small business owners that I spoke with had similar experiences with their business.  So, we paid rent late and sometimes we paid it even later.  It was not my finest moment - but we survived. 

4. Businesses Are Still Closing Down

Sadly this year we said good bye to some fabulously talented women and businesses in our industry and some other industries.  Some of sales channels closed their doors, other companies focussed on direct and some artists closed up shop.  I will miss talking shop with these talented women;

• Kristen Sloop of Kootie Bug Designs
• Carrie Sommer of Sommer Designs
• Diane Cullen Page of CCC Gifts

There are countless other small boutique stores and websites that quietly closed their doors this year.  Many of them were run by some amazing women that I used to enjoy talking with over the past eight years.

5. Drooz Studio is Copied....Again

Even though I am amazed and maybe some would say a tad obsessed with artists copying other artists, I am still shocked when it happens.  And, it always seems to happen to the very talented Ms. Shelly Kennedy.  I almost wish she would just release new products she would put a disclaimer on the back of each piece that says something like;

"This original piece of artwork is great isn't it?  Please do not copy it - because I will find out.  I will not be happy and it is NOT legal.  Did you catch that last part?  It is illegal."

I do not know what or if anything happened when Shelly saw this product, her product copied and sold through another channel.  I can only imagine and hope she make them stop it.

6.  New Blog Home at The Mommie's Diaries....for a short time

After the demise of Silicon Valley Mom Blog this summer I wanted to find a new home where I could write about life with children.  I tried it out at Parenting on the Peninsula for a few months but it the end I bit off more than I could chew.  I had to blog once a week and it had to be up by 11:00 a.m Sunday morning.  I can't even blog on my OWN blog once a week let alone someone elses!  And, if you must know I do love me some sleeping in on the weekends when I am not being forced to hall my ass to some softball or soccer game.  So there.  I sadly had to give my resignation and I no longer blog for anyone but me!

7. 80 Ornaments You Say? Why, Yes We Can!

For the past three years we have gotten a rather huge order from a housing development back East.  And this year we got the same order.  We give the wonderful customer a small discount andd we make 80 ornaments for them to pass out to their entire neighborhood at their annual holiday party thing.  I had every intention of photographing the large order going out and then they were ribboned and shipped, but then I felt sort of weird about it and did not want to be a braggard.  So, for the record I am not braggin - just saying it was not all bad in 2010.

8. Celebrity Client Drew Brees & Then Some

Okay, so I have had celebrities before.  For the record Charlize Theron has my dog plates, Roy  Disney ordered a birth certificate for a relative, Oprah & Ellen have ornaments by me,  and Nicole Kidman got a birth certificate for a gift.  The woman who wrote Legally Blond once ordered 50 princess plates for her daughter's birthday party.  Larry Sanders sent a birth certificate to Adam Sandler and now I have made ornaments and a birth annoucement for the one and only Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.

These are all just cool little tidbits I get to throw out there at cocktail parties and um when I try to impress an ex-boyfriend or a reporter.  Until one of these celebs decides to either have their child's room filmed for People Magazine or wanders around outside with my birth certificate around their neck - my business won't be changing much.  But still - happy to have 'em and shout out to Mr. & Mrs. Drew Brees and his family .

9. Moving On Down....Not Up

We are leaving our rental space and soon.  We need to find smaller and cheaper space.  It may even be (though doubtful) in another city.  When we got this space we had 4 other employees and it was the smallest space available in Foster City, oh and times were booming.  Now - not so much.  The thing is we could run the company in about half of the space we use now, and I could work from home more. 

We had a perfect place that I was super excited about moving into....and yes, re-decorating smaller, smarter - I had so many ideas.  And then while signing the 35 page contract I saw on the last page in itty bitty (well maybe not but still) font there was an extra $255.42 (yes I memorized it) added on to each month's rent.  Not that much you say?  Well, no it is not - but yes, it sort of is these days.  Worst yet was that it was SNUCK in there, had I not paid attention and signed the contract I never would have known.  So, I am back to trying to find us a new rental space.

10.  Life Is Shorter in 2010

This year has seen many friends get sick, marriages dissolve and worse - people have passed away.  I have seen first hand the devastating effects of disease and the loss of loved ones.  I have vowed to live more, love better and enjoy life.  I realize that it is not the end of the world if business is slow or even if we do close our doors.  Life is so short and so precious that I pledge to live each day to all it is worth.  When asked this holiday season how business was, I was able to honestly say, "It was not great, but that was fine.  I am healthy happy, my kids are healthy - we were good." 

Here is to wishing everyone who has taken the time to read/comment/spam my blog a very happy healthy (and maybe wealthy) new year.  May you have a better 2011 than 2o10 and may you live life to it's fullest.

Big Bedding Companies Should Take Advice from the Little Guys

I don't enjoy failing or falling on my face.  First off it hurts my pride, second of all it hurts my darn face.  I hate to have people to know I have failed -I like to succeed.  I don't know what the big deal is - everyone fails, it makes us who are....blah, blah I get the positive spin on it.  I don't  know who says it but I do believe that as awful as failure is, it is part of growing , changing and learning from my mistakes.  That being said, even though I failed....I turned this failure into an opposite of failure?  A success after a failed attempt?  Oh hell, I made lemonade out of lemons.  Read on;

Submitted Products to Pottery Barn Kids

In January of 2010 I took the advice of a dear friend and I sent 4 product samples to Pottery Barn Kids.  I spent an entire weekend on 6 or 8 designs, painting, researching and looking at trends.  I spent a great deal of time on their site, trying to figure out what their designers wanted, comparing my ideas to their bedding and pretty much immersing my self in Pottery Barn Kids 101.  I wanted to design Nursery & Kid's Room Decor products that complimented their products.  I really felt I had one chance to make a good impression and I wanted to make a great one.

Of the 8 designs I created, I felt that four of them were good, no not good - really good.  I got feedback from friend's in the industry, I made the tiles and shipped them off.  I spent the next two weeks checking my email and voicemail almost every 5 minutes to see if they loved my stuff....I knew they would love it.  After no response I sucked it up and I called them.  The Head Buyer lady said they would review Jamie's Painting & Design at their next Design meeting, and I would hear from them.  I never heard from them. 

Rejection.....Sucks

I waited for weeks that soon turned into a month and I did not "hear from them".  After countless phone calls and emails I finally got the Buyer on the phone.  When I re-introduced myself and asked if they had made a decision on my products  her reply was, "We are not interested."  Ouch!  She did not let me down easily, she did not sugar-coat it.  Pottery Barn Kids did not give a reason and they did not apologize for their (her) short and to the point answer.  I was so shocked I did not even rebuke her or ask what they did not like my products.  I am usually pretty good about asking the right questions and where do we go from here...this time, not so much.

I spent the next few days, okay weeks feeling very bad.  I could not believe I had it so wrong - I always got it right.  Well, not right, but the chances of 1 our of 4 of my designs being what they wanted, or liked - I had done my damn research!  Most times after tons of research I got the design factor down.  I felt I was like Austin Powers and I had just lost my mojo (is that even how you spell it?).  I know it was not the end of the world, but I just felt crummy about the designs and my ability to make good products.

Making it Work

By summer I decided fu.........um, I mean screw it they were still my designs.  I really liked, dare I say loved the four designs that would forever be known as PBK rejects in my mind.  I dusted them off sucked in my pride and I added them to my 2010 line of new products.  I figured they did not own me, they did not own my designs....I did.  I did not hold up much hope of them being best sellers, but I thought maybe somebody somewhere would like them.

Within 24 hours of the Butterfly & Flower Birth Announcement going live on numerous websites we sold 3.  This may not seem like such a huge deal, but it takes awhile for Google to crawl sites, it takes customers a while to purchase new designs.....this was odd.  The Zoo Animals Birth Announcement has also had the same success, we sold 10 and it has only been out there for a short time.  The Butterfly Garden Name Plaque & The Space Name Plaque  sold for the first time last week a few times for both.  A few of my other designs have had limited success, but right the gate these four, the PBK Four as I have re-named them seem to have some legs.  Week after week these four designs are selling.

With new designs and even with old designs sometimes we don't sell a design till it has been on the market for 6 months to a year.  It may take a good customer review, press or just word of mouth.  We have been ahead of the game on designs and then when a bedding design has come out our product has sold like crazy.  We have been known to go week after week selling one design over and over, for months sometimes years and then see the sales stop all together. 

Am I Gloating?  Why, Yes....Yes I Am

So, even though I am disappointed that Pottery Barn Kids did not select my products I sort of feel vintigated with my artistic talent.  I am Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.  The scene where she walks back into the exclusive Beverly Hills Boutique that refused to sell her clothes with bags and bags of clothes and she is dressed up in her new fancy shmancy outfit and she asks the woman if she remembers her, tells her what a big mistake she made.  Ya that is me.

[Jamie, smartly dressed and carrying many tiles, stops into Pottery Barn Kids Corporate Office.]
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/Jamie: Do you remember me?
Pottery Barn Kids Buyer: No, I'm sorry.
Jamie: I sent you plaques and birth announcement designs. You didn't like them?
Pottery Barn Kids Buyer: Oh.
Jamie: You work on commission, right?
Pottery Barn Kids Buyer: Ah, yes.
Jamie: Big mistake. Big. Huge! [turns away] I have to go make tiles now!

Ladies Don't Start a Business, Just Have Babies?

I read a blog post yesterday that really made me think about what it took to own/start a business.  Penelope Trunk, founder of Brazen Careerist wrote a post on Tech Crunch titled, Women Don't Want to Run Startups Because They'd Rather Have Children.  In the post she touches on many broad points and makes tons of assumptions about women entrepreneurs and mother's that own their own businesses.   She does this of course AFTER she has decided to pretty much take a step way back and let other people run her third Start-up.   She is pretty much pointing her finger at VC backed Tech companies - but she makes some bold and assumed statements about female entrepreneurs. 

Here are the highlights, if you don't have the time (or stomach) to read it:

• Starting a business can be Hell
• Women are under pressure to have kids - they have biological clocks
• Women don't want to give up their personal life in exchange for the next big Thing
• She won't even go there regarding women with young children that start a business
• She compares the stupid farms people build in Farmville to how Men and Women differ
• Women want a lifestyle business, so they can control their time, work & be flexible with raising kids

Just for the Hell of it, let me counter, question or decipher her points:

Starting a Business Is Hell

Yes, yes, yes sister  it sure can be Hell!  But uh, anyone in this day and age that does not know that has been living under a rock or is really lacking in the whole brain department.  I mean, gee thanks for starting the obvious.   I sort of loathe people that fail (and yes I know harsh words, but she did fail) at something and then tell everyone else NOT to do it.  It is demoralizing and patronizing.  I mean she is right about the whole starting a business is hell....but it is also a hell of a good time.  Those first two years for me  were mostly exciting, amazing and exhilarating.  Everything was so new and so much fun.  I was Leo DiCaprio in The Titanic, "I'm on top of the world!"

Women Are Under Pressure to Have Kids - Due to Their Biological Clocks

What?  Really? Is it real? No, it is not it was actually conceived as a metaphor for the sense of urgency some women feel regarding reaching menopause, being childless or arriving at her thirties unmarried and without a suitor.  We don't really have the biological clocks - but some of us do have the need, want and desire to have children.  I don't like the fact that she lumps all women into this nice little decisive statement.  Even though I am not who she is talking about, since I started my business after I threw the damn clock away.  I already had my children....then I started the business thank you very much.

Women Don't want to Give Up Personal life for the Next Big Thing

The funny thing is when I started Jamie's Painting & Design I thought, no I knew I was going to be the next big thing.     Okay not like Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates....but I was positive I was the next Rachel Ashwell or even Martha Stewart.  I had such conviction and an ego that was huge.  I could actually taste that desire for total world domination thing.  And, for those first few years I did give up a LOT of my personal life....a lot.  Our social card was empty, I worked while the children slept, I was  thinking and talking about my business all of the time (shout out to those friends that are still my friends....I must have been hell-a annoying back then).  It consumed me, like most entrepreneurs - I was obsessed with my baby.  But, back to her statement, it is so final and um broad reaching.  She, Penelope decided to quit.  She decided she wanted more of her personal and private family life.  I mean, she is even sort of snide saying that she wants to be the center of her family NOT her company.

The Impossibility of Starting a Business with Young Children

The crazy thing is she did this, her sons are young, she even says it in the article.  But, back to the fact that she did not succeed at it, soooooo no one else should try.  I did take offense to this part of the article since I was the one who did exactly that, but then I realized she has no idea who Jamie Lentzner is or what the hell to the L what  Jamie's Painting & Design does.  Since I am not going after VC money and I don't make some snazzy tech gadget...I am not that woman she is thumbing her nose at.  But, I still don't like the statement - so there.

Playing Farmville Shows the Differences Between Men & Women

I hate, hate, hate Farmville.  I never ever had the desire or time to play it.  I have seen it, I have watched it being played...and I don't get he attraction.  Maybe I am biased due to my total disregard and violent hatred of the game but still, I am not sure about her comparision.  She claims that women build colorful fun farms and men build big McManssion farms, proving that is why so few women pitch to Venture Capitalists and that even fewer get funding.  Okay?  So I say to her - what does my (if I had one) fancy farm have to do with me asking or not asking for money?  That means nothing to anyone.  I think it proves that these men spend way too much time on their computers and Facebook.  Or the men that built these huge farms are actually over compensating for something. 

Women Want a Life Style Business - To Control Their Life

Okay now I am thinking she is looking at me.  I have said this, wrote this, blogged this, cried this and screamed this.  I like the control, but doesn't everybody?  I have yet to meet a 40 something woman that did not like being in control of her own life.  We can't stay 3 forever people - we need to learn how to get dressed, earn a living and use the toilet.  Am I right?  I think men start their businesses for the same reasons - to control their own destiny.  Most uber successful entrepreneurs (I am thinking Donald Trump not Louie my Dry Cleaner) even have enormous egos and love being in control of their own lives.

But What Kind of Entrepreneur am I?

The post, as you can imagine got a ton of comments (482 at last count) and most were from women  with and without biological clocks screaming at her.  When I first read it I did take it personally and got all, "Oh no she didn't...." and I wanted to write a nasty comment.  Then I read it a few more times and I was not as irritated as I sort of confused.  I mean, I agree with her on some parts of the article (that would be one part), but coming on the heels of deciding she can not and will not do it all, sort of sounds like sour grapes. 

I do know one thing, oh she is so not talking about me or  Jamie's Painting & Design.  She doesn't even know my name (see another Sixteen Candles reference...I think I will start slipping them into EVERY post from here on out).  She knows nothing about what I do, or other like-minded women in small industries do.  I tend to buy into the whole You can have it all, just not at the same time theory and my personal favorite quote, "Life is hard...deal with it".  But I also think that a woman should not be held back by a ill-concieved pretend biological clock, or her real biological children.....I am just sayin' from experience and all.

Have I Said Everything?

I do not want to go back to the year I apologized constantly about my lack of posting - but my posts are lacking, or I am lacking the ability to post.  The last time this happened I got a large amount of emails and phone calls of people begging me to just shut up and blog.  Everyone was so sick of hearing me start each blog blushing with my head down and twisting my hat in my hands, begging for forgiveness.  I am older and not quite in the mood to ask for forgiveness these days.  I feel more like Popeye these days, swinging my muscled arms and stating, "I am what I am".

I have been asking myself how I have gotten to this point.  How could I have written all there is to write?  It is not like I have an army of apprentices that I call grasshopper.  I did not sell my business to Google or receive that most coveted call from The Oprah to feature my product.  None of those things have happened - so how could I know everything? Why do I have writer's block?  What is wrong with me?  This is what I have thought about so far:

Why This Even Started

I started writing this blog because I felt I had something to say, something that people wanted to hear.  I found nothing on the Internet that gave help, advice or even an honest view of what it took to run a business.  and not just any business, but a business run by a woman and most likely a mother.  Our problems were different, our solutions were creative and our failures were unique.  The words literally came bubbling out of me, like nothing I had ever known.  I did not realize I had so much I needed to share, or wanted to share.  I had to be vague sometimes and coy not sharing too much.  I felt that if my competition read this I would be in trouble.

As the years went by and some of my competition fell by the way side, went bankrupt or just kept hand painting, I became more open.  I am not being cruel or mocking them - I decided I just decided not to hand paint my tiles.  I felt I could either paint or I could design more and manufacture products.  I shared what had worked for me and I tried to explain how I did it.  I could produce more products (and better) for my customers, lots and lots of customers.  I am happy with my choice and I am not quiet about it.  I think my way was right, and um well it worked for me.  Yet, I am second guessing myself these days.  Did I share too much?  Was it better when I was not SO honest?

The Economy....Really Must We Go there Again?

The last two years have been hard...how many times have I written that sentence.  Anyone that can answer that question gets a years worth of SPAM and some new Ceramic Tiles for their child's room. I think I have beaten that poor dead horse enough.  Even though it has all but consumed me or the past years, I have sort of become a broken record

How many times can I discuss how hard the last two years have been?  Maybe not everyone has felt the pinch, probably the smaller the business the harder it has been.  Or it could be some industries suffered more than others?  Until the Economy rebounds and we are all spending money again, this weighs heavy me, hence why I write about it....a lot.  But, even I am getting tired of writing about it....I am sick of it - fix the Economy already!

Blogging to Blog or Blogging to Connect

Sadly, I sort of wonder if I have said everything I have to say that about running a business.  Without giving a list of my sales channels, my press releases and all of my bank account numbers I wonder if I am of done.  But still, I love to write - I enjoy to connect with others.  I am trying hard to find new topics to discuss.  I am not giving up, I am not closing down.  I am just wondering....what the hell else can I write?  (pst....that is not an open ended question either...I would REALLY like to know).

Do not worry, this is not my swan song, I am not riding my horse off into the sunset today.  I just thought I would be honest here (lying not my thing so much....but you knew that right?).  Truth be told I am frustrated.  I literally bang my head against the wall weekly, trying to figure out what to wear......write.  Not much has changed in the past few years, hence the head banging.  I am sure I will figure something out, or something will happen - it always does.

Getting into Pottery Barn Kids

My very, very good friend London Edwards has done the impossible.  She has her products for sale in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and website.   There were ups and downs, good and bad days.  It was a very long process that started last fall and just finally came to fruition last week.  Her products debuted on the Pottery Barn Kids site late Thursday, July 22, 2010. 

If you are like me and wondering how the hell...er heck did she do that - well I found out.  Actually, I lived through it with her most of the past year. She was nice enough to answer a few questions to help others that might (like who wouldn't?) want to get into Pottery Barn Kids.

Can we get a little history about your Company, My Little Dish?

London - I started My Little Dish in 2001.  Began wholesaling immediately with local stores, I never did any local shows.  We did our first trade show in the first few months and again 6 months after that.  Even though now I think trade shows are a waste of money, but I did learn the term "Licensing" from a neighboring booth.  That turned out to be helpful in 2004 when I licensed some of my products.

How did you get into PBK? Did they contact you? 

London- They called late one afternoon. I didn't answer because it was after hours and normally don't even check voice mail until the next day. Something told me to check right away and when I did, I about fell out of my chair.  (I still have that voice mail saved on my phone.  I also have the voice mail from when she called to confirm they were adding them to the new line.)  I called them back and spoke to the senior buyer, who said they needed samples immediately could I overnight them!

I guess I should have asked her how on earth they found her, because I still do not know.  I am guessing that if the buyer was searching for personalized dishes or plates, My Little Dish would be one of the first to come up.  Something I wish I knew when starting a company, it helps to have the product name in the company name.  I can not tell you how many times I am called to paint a house, paint a sale sign at a Burger King or ask if I am hirng contract painters.

What was the process like?

London - The process was long. Actually that's an understatement.  From conception to the finished product it was exactly 8 months.  With a lot of back and forth, design changes, many more samples and dealing with dozens of different people. Everyone I dealt with was very nice, but big companies can be interesting to deal with.  Everything has to go through senior designers and buyers and they change their minds more than a teenage girl changes clothes!

Ahhhhh, like I said in the intro, I was going along with her on this entire ride, getting emails, texts and phone calls from her weekly and sometimes daily.  I know for a fact it could be very frustrating sometimes for her , especially if you are not used to collaborating with so many people on your designs.  When working with big companies (I have done it) you take the good with the bad and learn that it is not just you but an entire design team that is helping (or hindering) your designs.

How did you come up with your designs?  Was it a collaborative effort?

London - They asked me for my top sellers and told me what they were looking for (sort of in a very vague manner) and I painted all 12 designs in both girl and boy colors.  After they looked them over and told me they loved them, they started to pick them apart.  They didn't like the black, could I change text color? This pink was too light, but that one was too dark.  So after a few more batches of samples, we finally narrowed it down.  Then they sent me a few bedding samples and asked for designs based on that.  Voila! Done, sent the samples. They loved them and were going to take all of them.......then they weren't going to take all of them.  Indecisive definitely, but with so many cooks in the kitchen, I got it!  They were always very polite and very appreciative of everything, so it made the changes very bearable.  I have been very appreciative of how kind everyone has been there. You hear stories about big companies. I have stories about some big companies.  But this company has not disappointed me in the least, yet.

Was there anything crazy or funny that they asked you?

London - I can't remember anything they asked, but I can remember a comment that blew me away when talking to the first Buyer.  She wanted a price break, because (of course) they are a profit driven company.  When I asked her for the volume they thought they would do so I could run numbers, she said a similar product sold 10,000.  10,000 units? 10,000 dollars?  For a quarter, for a year what?  She said $10,000.  I assumed she meant in a year. (Which my accountant informed me that plenty of my accounts sell that much in a year, so a price break might not be worth it.)  Sooo.......I emailed her as much.  Within seconds she shot back an email saying "No, that is $10,000 a week!!!!!!!"  I began laughing hysterically.  I'm not sure why, if I found it funny, or if it scared the hell out of me.  But I couldn't stop laughing. All I kept thinking was OMG, that was for one product and they just took 12 of my designs. 

Something to keep in mind is that many companies (large and small) always give out these huge projections for what they think they will sell.  I have been doing this for eight years and never have they been correct.  Almost always (except for one Halloween Plate) they were way off.  It is very exciting and I hope that PBK is dead on, but just keep in mind that projections are not facts.

Anything else you can share for someone hoping to work with big Company?  Bit of advice? Or something you wish you knew?

London - Ask a lot of questions, kill them with kindness, don't turn down additional products they want to add, because chances are they will narrow down the line eventually after numerous meetings with other buyers.  I wish I had agreed to do the melamine, ornaments, frames and any and all they initially asked instead of being cautious.  Some problems are good to have, so take them on and worry about how you produce them later.  That's easy to say now, because I haven't started producing yet.  So ask me again in a few months, in the middle of Christmas season!

Well, actually this is only half the story, I can't wait to see how this plays itself out.  London is a hundred percent right about asking questions.  Also I would add if you are itty bitty and run your business out of a closet....maybe do not share that.  I never used to let on how small my company was - as long as I could deliver what they asked, that was good enough.

I have worked with some large and very, very large companies.(psst...Nordstrom, Target, Warm Biscuit Bedding when I was a newbie, Home Goods, Favorites Catalog, Femail Creations Catalog, The Right Start).  One store even took an entire year to pay me.  A. Year.  I am not saying that will happen here, but if you choose to work with a large company know that you are doing everything on THEIR terms.  Also, you may need to hire additional employees, rent more space, buy more supplies, purchase special packaging - added costs that you may not know when you get wined and dined by one of the big guys.

How to Succeed in Business

June 13, 2008.

I collect tips, tricks and secrets on business like others save recipes.  I have binders, folders and yes junk boxes (though they are pretty and covered with fabric or something glittery) with little nuggets of inspiration for that mom that owns a business, or wants to start one.  I share most of them here, others I share in private.....or for a fee, kidding - but great idea.  I started thinking why am I saving some of them?  Why must I pick and choose what to share and what not to share?

The Farm

So.....here goes, I am giving away the farm.  Yep, that is right I am rolling up my sleeves, and giving my secrets away.  Okay, maybe not the farm, maybe not all my secrets and maybe I will throw out some of my opinions.  I am taking the gloves off and since it's summer and all (and hot as all heck in Northern California) I may as well let it all hang out. 

So, I am starting with the basics of starting a business, it may sound redundant, and it may sound simple to most.  I think though I will start with some of my pet peeves, and those things that are the cornerstones of any great business.  And if I missed one (you know I probably did, or will touch on it later) please let me know, or ask....I am in a givin' mood, so take, take, take!

Be Honest or Go Home

I have never admired secretive people, especially secretive entrepreneurs.  You do not need to be as honest as I am, but if you are interviewed - share the wealth.  The amount of women entrepreneurs is astonishing, and it grows on a weekly basis.  I crave information, I like to share information and I lose interest in people who hoard it.  And while we are on the subject I don't really appreciate the secretive blogs.  I mean come on - give me something to chew on, to mull over. 

Another thing, while we are going over pet-peeves I don't like entrepreneurs that claim that everything good they ever got (sales, contracts, press, hype) they were contacted by the other company.  First of all I don't believe you, second of all, there is something to be said for working for something.  Not that that bluebird is not fabulous, but the fact that you busted your butt to get your products into Nordstroms - good for you!  It is not fair to those little guys....er gals that are working their tails off at home and wondering why they have not gotten their big break. 

If I may burst a few bubbles and tell a little bit of a "hidden truth" about product placements in magazines - these people have hired a publicist.  The publicist is someone you hire to get your products in magazine, on TV and in celebrities hands.  That is right - pay to get them to take your products.  This can be expensive - think maybe $5000.00 a month expensive.  I actually got a huge blue bird this past month and when it is finalized I will tell ya all about it.  But....most of our big "deals" are from pounding the pavement (or my keyboard) or making 43 phone calls - no one will know about you unless YOU tell them!

Treat Others How You Would Like to Be Treated

I have said this before, and I feel it has to be said again.  It is just plain good manners to reply to phone calls, emails or requests from people.  Even if you have a canned response that thank you very much but we are not interested (which we have) it is good manners and it makes the other person feel a little better.  I know this is hard, and sometimes we get too many requests, sometimes emails (or phone messages) get deleted - I can not be perfect all the time, but I try.  I think that trying to give a quick "thanks but no thanks" sends a better message than ignoring the request.

I try to follow this letter of the law all the time, but sometimes I screw up.  Just last week we got a voice mail from a website and I sort of pushed delete instead of save....and I can not find the darn site anywhere.  I feel awful about this and hope this company calls back. 

Respond to Your Peeps 

And, while we are on the subject, if you have a blog and IF people leave you a comment, link to your site, list you in their blog roll, send you an email or respond with a well thought out comment.....you should acknowledge them.  Blogging etiquette is real, just like business etiquette, there is an unspoken word to acknowledge your readers.  I read many a blog and sometimes a writer will complain about no comments, or call out that they get hundreds or thousands of hits a day and no comments.....so then I leave a well-thought out comment.  And you know what - I get no response.  Um, duh - that is why you get no comments.   I never go back, I never reference it, I mean come on people!  Your mother taught you better than that.

When I started the blog I had no idea the rules, or that you were supposed to respond to people (mind you I had like zero readers so I tend to think I only offended a handful).  Now though - you (me) have no excuses - if you don't believe me go here and read about it from a pro, or here another pro - and both of them respond to comments and emails, they responded to little ol' me.

Processes Make Life Easy

I would be no where without my processes, and one way of doing things.  If you need a kick in the pants go read this book, it will help and explain why to succeed you have to do things one way.  I am not saying squash that creative streak that is blasting it's way through your veins....but um, try and invoice and ship your products the same way every time.  As my husband used to say, "Denny's always open, and it is always bad" - you know what you are going to get - the same every time - right?

Your customers, your accounts, your employees - everyone will have a heavy sigh of relief when they know what to expect.  It is like giving your children structure, they need structure to thrive - your business needs structure also.

Have a Plan

You need to have some sort of plan, some sort of idea of what you are doing with your business, your product line, your business.  It makes perfect sense to change direction, add new things, delete others - but stick to a plan.  Your core business is what?  What is your goal?  You do not need to write (though a good idea) a 34 page business plan to start selling widgets out of your garage, but you need a plan.  I used not be so great about plans - if you saw the first line of products I sold you would laugh, and probably point, and laugh some more.  Here is what I had to sell that first 6 months:

• Name Tiles
• Coasters
• Ceramic Trivets
• Wood like Platters
• Wood Plaques
• Topiaries (yes I made them)
• Bundles of Wheat (uh huh crafty gal over here)
• Painting murals (what didn't I paint?)

I had to get a grip on what my company was, on what I was making and what my message was.  At the start I was venturing off in two, three different directions, home decor and then children's products.  I had to make a break, I had to make a decision and I had to go with my passion.  Without a plan I would not have had a business, I would have had a hobby....or many hobbies.

My Loss is Your Gain

January 21, 2008

So I mentioned in an earlier post how I would tell you some of my failures, some bad decisions, and some blunders.  I was going to go back to where it all began....on a galaxy far, far away.  Yes, my children have been home for four days straight and YES we have been watching Star Wars....sheesh.  Sorry, I digress - I decided I might just start with a recent (air quotes) a bad business decision I made.

What Works & Does Not Work

When I first started the business I really did not know where to sell my items, nor did I know what to charge.  I knew what I would pay, but I did not know what the customer would pay.  I also knew my best customer was a woman - be it grandmother, mother, mother-to-be, aunt, cousin, sister, friend (need I go on?) - I just sold my products mostly to women.  I found a decent amount of women - in the correct demographics - at Craft Fairs and Mothers Club Boutiques and even Home Shows.  But, I did not enjoy it, I am sorry to say - it was not my finest hour.  Also, more importantly ('cause sometimes you do what you gotta do) my products did awful at these shows, most times they did awful at the shows.

The one time I did a huge amount of business when at the last minute (while I was setting up) I figured - screw it, I am not going to fail - I will sell it all at wholesale.  It was my second Christmas, I was getting ready to stop hand-painting so I did it.  Yes, I sold a ton of products - but I also realized for ME and my company - these shows were for discounts, my products were too expensive.  That was the last show I did.

Trust Your Gut Instinct

Fast forward to 2007 and a really good friend suggests I do her school's boutique.  At first, I start with my, "Oh, thank you so much for thinking of me.....blah blah blah....but we don't do those."  Then we discussed it some more, and like I said - she is a very good friend, and I hummed and hawed (spelling is off I am sure), and then I said, "What do I have to lose?"  So against my gut instinct, against all our sales statistics, I said I would do the show.  I just had to supply the inventory - and whatever did not sell, I would have left over for the Holiday Rush.

So, anyone want to guess what happened on that fateful day (my birthday none the less) in early December?   Hmmm, anyone? anyone?  Low and behold (shocking I know) my products did not do well, we hardly sold a thing.  And, I was stuck with some inventory.  I do not blame my friend, she just asked - I actually wanted to just hit myself in the face and go, "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!"....but that would have not been so cool, especially in front of everyone that worked for me.

What I Should Have Done

1. I should have discounted the products, I knew it worked in the past
2. I should not have given them SO much inventory
3. I should have exhibited at the show, I did not know "others" would be at their booths
4. I should not have made products that are not part of my product line*

*Yes I did bring back coasters - and no they did not set the world on fire, and I knew they wouldn't (again listen to voice in head).  They did alright, they were cute - but nothing huge.  The wine coasters and the martini coasters - they were just for the show.   I made a lot of them.  I sold um, one of them.  Yep - one!

Moving Forward

In the future I will probably not do this show - I am not willing to take the risk.  The demographics were dead on, the home was beautiful, the people I worked with fabulous - but that is not enough.  That "sales channel" is all dried up for me, it just is.  Craft Shows do not work well for me, so I need to accept it and stay where I am.  If they do well for you and you enjoy it - stick with it.  I found though, even small shows can be expensive, can be duds and can cost you a bunch of money.

I feel like this post should be "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" - but really it is more of a "See I Make Mistakes Too".  I have made some big ones - and NO this is not the biggest.  But it goes back to trusting your gut, and knowing your product.  Unfortunately I did not listen to myself....hmmm, maybe I should be reading some past posts? 

A Free Gift for YOU!

I have ten sets of these babies taking up space in my office.  No, no they are not hurting anybody - but they do seem to mock me everytime I walk into the work room.  And, I can honestly say that they do not really fit well into the whole "Children's Industry" line of products - "Here little Frankie have your milk in a Martini glass k?  And use this cute coaster with drinkie-poo's on them"

They are wrapped up nice in a thin black ribbon and a little JPD tag on them.  They make great hostess gifts (so I have been told) and should do well at a Holiday Boutique (ya right - scratch that one!)

Who wants them? The next ten people to comment on the blog get a set - please take them!  I won't be able to ship them till next week (unless you need them sooner (for an emergency Shwanky Martini Party - in that case I can come and thanks for the invite!) as I am going on vacation Friday, and hubby is out of town till Thursday night....and that explains the Star Wars on TV.  And just for the record I don't care if you are a competitor, my mother, my sister, my friend, or think you are a competitor or you hate me - YOU comment - you get a set!  Please...I beg of you, put me out of my misery.

Okay, be careful out there - no drinking and blogging okay?

Seventh Entrepreneur - Carrie Ferguson Weir

January 9, 2007.

Okay I am back on track, and starting with the lucky number seven, none the less!  And I am living up to one of my goals for 2008, okay it has only been a week, but give an ol' girl some credit - regular posts three days a week....wonder if anyone will notice.  The Entrepreneur Interviews must go on, no matter what drama is going on in my life or anyone else's. 

We had a little snafu here at the Lentzner Home, with our heater going out, an office/studio break-up (it was awful fighting over who got what printer cable, which roll of tape and the last paper clip - having my own space is fun....but splitting up the kids photos - sheesh).  Did I mention my husband is also taking a 3 day vacation.......er, I mean business trip?  Oh, how he hates it when I call it that - but come on, you know he is enjoying himself a little bit, and in a hotel with a mini-bar none the less!

So, with my fingers thawed out, my toes are not quite frost bitten any longer and my nose is no longer running, and I am in my own space (I will post pictures soon) I give you my seventh entrepreneur:

I am hoping after I post this Carrie will remind or correct me of how we met - but I think I found her through  the Switchboards or The Daily Stroll forum.  I saw her "Target.com" connection and her humorous blog and HAD to email her.  We emailed back and forth and then even spoke on the phone for a good hour - I am happy to say she is as funny on the phone as she is in her blog.  I love her spunk, I love her products and I am sure if you have not heard of her - you will soon!

The crazy thing is that I remember seeing her in Working Mother, and reading about her inspirational story and products.  It is so strange to me to read about someone, have them strike a cord with you and then months or even years later you are lucky enough to meet them and connect with them.  Again, I so love the Internet, email and blogs for that very reason!  She is great at this blogging thing and I could learn a thing or two from her.....no really she is great at plugging her company!

If I ever make it back out to Atlanta (another post, I almost went back this week) she is my first phone call to get together....oh wait I mean second person I call...don't worry, London I will call you too! 

So without further ado, I am happy to introduce you to Carrie Ferguson Weir:

Carrie Ferguson Weir, owner of Los Politos Dicen (The Little Chick Says)

Our company was formed early in 2005 and launched our first product in the fall of 2005.  I happened upon an untapped niche at the same time I was exploring ways to make a living and more fully participate in the day-to-day raising of my young daughter.  I was a full-time newspaper features writer before we launched Los Politos Dicen.  We create baby and toddler tees that celebrates our Spanish heritage though hipness and we capture the unique color combinations and colloquialisms of our people.

A New Product Line

There were no premium tee shirt lines targeting Latino/bilingual children.  It appears others are now entering the game, which is good.  The market can bear some healthy competition.  My favorite part of the job is by far getting a note from a happy customer, either a grandparent or a parent who is thrilled to find something reflective and honoring of their culture.  I love the fact that we touch people at their core.

My least favorite part of the job is that I need to think of Christmas sales in July.

Inspiration & Balance

We are both inspired by our families - my business partner, Oscar Alonso, and I come from funny, sweet, nutty, exhausting Cuban families.  They alone, will keep us in design ideas for years to come.  We do also spend a lot of time talking with other Latino and even non-Latino friends about their childhood and their children.  We definitely pay close attention to trends in T-shirt styles, fabrics and popular color combinations, among other things.

Some days there doesn't seem to be much balance with raising my daughter and running a business.  But, I try - try to be mentally present when my daughter is home, to play, have fun and spend real time with her. 

I work as early as 5 a.m. while she is sleeping, then when she's off to pre-school and at night after she is in bed.  I also couldn't do it without my husband, who is in there giving her baths, feeding her, and hanging out with her when I have to work.  As hard as it can be, the bottom line is - I enjoy what I do and that translates to joy in my family life....even if I am wiped out by 8 p.m. some nights

Sixth Entrepreneur - Katherine Type

January 4,2008.

Well, it's already 2008 and I did NOT make it through 1/2 of the Entrepreneurs I was hoping to feature.  I will continue the interviews through the beginning of January, or middle or sheesh, maybe through February.  Thanks for being patient - I think I took on more than I could handle (oh gosh, I admitted I was wrong....wait, wait I said I think, I am not sure...)  One of my resolutions is to post regularly, 3 times a week - I would list the days, but uh, well first let's see how I can manage this with all my other duties.

So here goes:

I mentioned earlier how I met Katherine Type way back in 2003.  I spoke with her at great lengths on the phone and was so happy to find another entrepreneur that was willing to talk with me.  Again,I was shocked she even picked up the phone.  She loved my products (so she said at the time - no kidding I think she did) and also had some advice for me.  Katherine was an expert to me, and she knew what she was talking about.  She had an established site and I was in awe my products would be on the site. 

Not only did she take the products with my amateur photographs   she stuck with me through the "um a few of our tiles came all goopy" phase.  She has always been a champion of my work, and put my products in the best possible light.  She is NOT one to pass the buck, or blame the designer.  When you have been around the block a few times (the Children's Industry Block, come on people keep your mind out of the gutter) some boutiques will throw you under a bus when an error occurs, whether it is our fault or the sales channel.  Katherine knows we (well her and I) are both here to give the customer the BEST experience, and the BEST product.

She is also one of my oldest accounts - my first on line presence if you will, and she has seen the business grow and change.  Her advice is always welcome, and her insight is a huge help.  I am so happy to have met her through the "internet", gosh that sounds like I met her through on-line dating, and to have become friends with her.  It is makes this job so much more fun when you have a friend on the other line (she is based on the East Coast, and I am on the West Coast) to commiserate with.

Katherine Type, Owner & Founder of

The concept for Babybox was started in 1996 and the site launched in 1997.  At that time there were very few upscale boutiques on line that offered customers unique specialty gifts with personalized service.  With the exception of a handful of "Super Stores" on line, there were none that carried a specialized selection of luxury gifts for baby.  We decided to create a website offering these gifts in elegant gift box packaging.  Whether customers order a pair of baby socks or a cashmere baby blanket, each baby gift arrives in a classic white box, tied with our signature periwinkle ribbon and finished off with a diaper pin and a hand written gift card.  We also pride ourselves in providing superior customer service, creating excellent relationships between our customers and staff.

The industry has definitely changed in the last 11 years, we started our on line presence in the basic baby gift category.  We capitalized on consumer demand for "convenience technology" -- especially the demand created by busy parents with young children at home; working moms with little time or expecting moms.  We found there was a need to have an on line source for shopping, should there not be the availability of an upscale brick and mortar store for selling unique gifts.  It was shortly thereafter that I realized more and more of my customers were shopping for themselves as well, so we opened up our product range to cover not just gifts but many children's and baby's products.

Best and Worst Part of Job

I love so many aspects of my job.   I love the start of the day when I get a chance to review all the previous days orders; I love to see where all the orders are coming from, to welcome back my repeat customers, as well as reviewing all of my new customers.  I also love finding new products that no other stores have yet, and once adding it to my site, watching and waiting to see how well they do.  I feel so happy when I find something and it works!  I try hard to keep Babybox.com fresh and current with unique and specialized gifts and products that are new to the markets.  At the same time though, it is comforting to my repeat clientele to have some classic gifts always available, that they know will always be there.  These become standard baby gifts that are purchased again and again as a safe choice.

My least favorite part of the job is having to explain order delays to our customers on custom items.  I feature so many designers on BabyBox.com, which all have different lead times.  Although everyone tries to do the best they can in the normal time frames, sometimes, delays occur and we just have to call the customers and explains.  You just have to hope that your customers are understanding and patient - unfortunately this is not always the case.

Working with New Artisans and Designers

I am very open to many types of products, but will usually only feature companies that produce artwork of excellent quality, with the fine detailing, obvious care by the designer, and I look for products that are unique and often carry an interesting background and story behind why they were created.  I also build strong lasting relationships with all of my vendors, so it also helps having a designer who is easy to work with (Jamie Lentzner and I are very close and for anyone else who works with her an attest, she is an angel to work with). - oh my, she made me blush :)

Balance with Children

Originally, like many other entrepreneurs, my decision to start a home-based business had to do  with my (at the time) future desire to have a family.  Staying close to home and raising children seemed to be the perfect balance.  I soon discovered when Alexander, my son was only 3 months, nap time and bedtime were my only productive times of the day.  Now, I have two children, Amanda who is 2 1/2 and Alexander is 6 - I could never survive without my nanny who helps me 5 days a week, all day.  I still feel very involved with their daily lives and am 'around' at home, but with help, I am able to juggle everything in a more manageable way.

But, as much as I love working and owning my own business, even with all of my help, keeping up with the demands of my children and my business is stressful and makes me exhausted.  I try my best however to give my children 100% of my attention when I am with them, but there are times when I still feel guilty that I should give them more.  I just have to try and make each moment special and I truly feel it is quality more than quantity.  I love my work, but I love my children more.  You just have to make a balance - I figured out ways to make them my little helpers so they could feel included in "Mommy's business".  It is like "bring your child to work day", on a regular basis.

Fourth Entrepreneur - Shelly Kennedy

December 19, 2007.

The fact that I now say I actually know Shelly Kennedy seems sort of surreal to me, she is so well known by so many.  If you work in the children's industry, you are an artist, or um you have a child you know of Drooz Studio.  Her amazing artwork and her signature 'original' Wall Hangings have been seen everywhere. With celebrity clients and adoring customers - Shelly's products are probably the most coveted product for any re-seller.  Anyone shopping for baby gifts and who claims NOT to know her - is lying.

I had watched from afar, how Shelly grew Drooz Studio, and I had always admired her talent.  I also saw how others copied her, how her work was mimicked, yet she just sat back with way more dignity than I would have.  I decided to touch on the subject earlier this year acknowledging the copying in my blog, okay, um, then in another, and another post....I do tend to repeat myself, but bear with me.

This summer I happen to get a gander at her actual physical catalog and was awe struck by a quote she had on the inside cover of the catalog:

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery"....we tend to disagree!  Please stay original!  Copying is not polite.  We are thrilled that you appreciate our work....and we would appreciate if you respect our copyrights!"

Well, you know after reading that, I knew we were kindred spirits and though she had more dignity  than me, she had some serious spunk. I sent her an email, telling her how I loved her work, admired her as a business woman, and really loved the quote.  I told her that I understood her frustration, and I had been around long enough to know she was the original.  I figured that would be the end of it.  Well, not only did she email me back, but she knew who I was (shocking to me) and we have continued to email back and forth on occasion, commiserate a few times  and share a good laugh, or a good story.  Though I have only spoken with her a handful of times I am happy to report she is the nicest person and I am so grateful I had the guts to approach her.  I would hope in the future she gets the credit she deserves for re-inventing the wall art industry she so helped grow.  I look forward to see what the future has in store for one our industry's pioneers.

That being said, I did not have to beg too much when I asked her to answer a few interview questions for the blog.  I hope you find her candor and honesty as inspiring as I do:

Shelly Kennedy, owner & founder of Drooz Studio

Drooz Studio was started officially in 1998, although I painted the original piece in December of 1997, while pregnant with my first baby!

Deep down I always knew that I wanted to have my own business.  Doing "what" was always the question.  I went to college as an illustration major - and switched to Marketing my sophomore year.  My father owned his own business, I knew first hand that it was not a bed of roses.  After almost 5 years in the traditional work force - I took time off to raise my babies.  Drooz unfolded very delicately - and grew at a slow and steady pace.  It was an ideal scenario for me.  It allowed me to grow as I wanted - utilizing very little start up cash and working around naps and bedtimes.  I'd say it wasn't until about 2001 that I really started to market, promote and consider Drooz a "real business".

Ten Years in Business

OH - the industry has changed so much!  When I first started there was very, very little in the way of art for children and nurseries.  Also there were may be three or four nice baby boutique type websites - if that!  I didn't see any hand-painted work, and no "wall hangings type designs.  Now, the industry is just so saturated with art.  The same ol' stuff everywhere you look.  I find it harder and harder to maintain a fresh and new look for Drooz-but I like the challenge.  Today we probably have three to four baby boutiques contacting us a DAY for our information.

My favorite part of the job is working on new ideas....new designs and product development.  Spending the whole day in the studio - painting, drawing, cutting, pasting, coloring and playing - I am such a lucky girl!

My least favorite part of the job - HA - the "numbers' part of the business.  Accounting, payroll, insurance - yuck!

Creative Energy

Everything inspires me!  Today I saw a label on a pound of coffee at Starbucks and I couldn't wait to get my sketch book to draw the ideas it inspired!  I love old things - I scour garage sales, flea markets, salvation army - a book, a baby dress, a piece of jewelry I find, may start to conjure up ideas in my head.  I love magazines - I think I subscribe to 32 titles!  Fashion, travel....home decor, flipping through the pages is very inspiring.

I follow trends a bit.  I like to describe the Drooz look as "current yet classic".  I think it is dangerous to be too trendy - but yet I understand that our pieces are bought as accessories for the nursery - so usually the buyer is looking to match a particular bedding or theme - those of which tend to be pretty trendy.  I don't really like a "matchy-matchy" look - so long as I keep our designs fresh and interesting.  I honestly would say my main goal is to NOT look like the other art (or trendy items) out there.  We want to keep the style and soul of "Drooz".

Still working on the balance of raising children and running a business.  I have a great support from my mom and dad - they help with the kids a lot.  My husband is very forgiving if there are no dinner plans, or clean socks.    Really the kids are most important thing, and with this career I am able to have the flexibility to be there when they need me; school events, sick days, soccer practice, music lessons, doctor's appointments, etc.  Sometimes it means that I work late from home answering emails that I didn't get to all day - sometimes it means going to work when the rest of the family is catching a movie, it is all a trade off.

Third Entrepreneur - London Edwards

December 13, 2007

I think it has been written about over and over about how I came to meet London Edwards.  London was my "biggest (and only) fan" about a year ago.  She even wrote me an email telling me how much she loved the blog.  Had London not reached out to me, I would not have had the guts to reach out to so many other artists, crafts people and talented designers today.  I am so thankful to her for her having the guts to send me that email.

  I have been so lucky to have gotten a great friend from this blog.  The fact that someone I considered competition is now one of my very best friends may seem odd to some.  I do not consider her my competition - we both believe we compliment each other.  I also know so much about her that she is forced to stay friends with me.....kidding, but having an ally is a great help when you feel like you are an island.

I am hoping this interview does not reek of nepotism....do read her story, she has much to teach all of us!  Now, drum roll please....I would like to introduce you to London Edwards, owner and founder of My Little Dish.

London Edwards, owner & founder of My Little Dish

I had an idea for a product and was encouraged by family and friends to sell them. I did a lot of research before I started.  One, to see if there was anything out on the market like it, and two, to learn about the wholesale industry.  I had managed retail and worked in marketing for other companies, but had never had my own business.  I also had never done much in ceramics, so I had to learn that as well.  After all my research, I decided it was worth the investment and immediately began selling wholesale.

Industry Changes

Over the past 6 years the industry has changed a little.  It's had it's ups and downs due to fluctuation in the economy.  One change that I've noticed considerably is the purchasing habits of the retailers.  When I began, I immediately jumped on the wholesale trade show bandwagon.  It was much better in the earlier days that it is today.  It wasn't that shows cost less, they were still as extremely expensive than as they are today, but orders weren't as scarce as they are today. 

My first few trade shows were very busy and he orders I took at the show covered the cost of the show, including travel and hotel.  The shows that I've done over the past few years have not even covered my expenses.  It was apparent at this last show I did this summer.  Foot traffic was down and the average order was a lot lower too.  My guess is that retailers are feeling the crunch of the on line buyers and keeping their stores open on days they used to be closed.  I also think that some of these stores are doing there searching and purchasing on line as well.  I get wholesale requests frequently from boutiques across the United States, much more than I did 6 years ago.

My favorite part of my job is creating.  I love creating new designs and thinking of new items and  new ways to market and sell.  All of this requires an enormous amount of research, but to me, it's a blast.  To be able to sit at my computer, or with my paints, and just play - I love that. I feel like I'm playing hooky when I do it, but it recharges my battery.

What it Takes Day to Day

My least favorite part of owning my own business changes from time to time.  What is my least favorite thing today, wasn't a year ago.  I really don't like filling orders.  I know this sounds crazy, but painting the same things over and over is just dreadful.  Especially when I know there are so many other important things that I need to be doing in order to grow my business.  Now, that doesn't mean I don't like dealing with my customers.  I love that.  I love talking to them, finding out what they need and being able to tell them I can do it.  But actually painting the plate is not my favorite thing.  I enjoy handling it over to my painters and letting them do what they love - painting.  So, I can get back to creating.

All sorts of things inspire me, it' funny because my boys are in the tween/teenage years, so half of the stuff I look at it isn't something that I would even buy anymore.  I can find inspiration in clothing , books, magazines and even movies.  I try to stay on top of the industry and keep current with the trends.  For instance a few years ago, the prince and princess themes were all the rage.  I pained so many darn prince/princess plates I thought I was going to die.  But today, the simpler designs are selling best for me.  I check out the colors for the year and what is the newest combinations of colors and try to create new designs using these colors.

Balance Running a business

Luckily my kids have been in school for a while, so during the school year, balancing is pretty  manageable.  It gets a little crazy during their sports seasons and especially if they run concurrently with my busy season, but at least I can work while they are in school. 

During the summer, it is a whole other story.  It's tough.  I live in my car getting all three boys where they need to be or if I'm not doing that, I have a house full of kids running in and out.  I'm the kool-aid house it seems.  At least I know where they are and what they are doing, something I wouldn't have if I worked in an office somewhere else and for someone else.  Over the past six years they have really grown up with this business, so they really don't know anything different.  It would be strange to them, not to have stacks of paints and plates every where or not to have UPS at the door for a pick-up.

 

Working Mom Can NOT Do It All

November 1, 2007.

I was hoping to post some creative "Thanksgiving, fall like artwork" on the site today......but I am still trying to get the orange paint and glitter off my finger nails and wake up.  I was trying super hard to be that "everything to everybody" and do "everything"........and guess what I can't .  I had to do all sorts of Halloween stuff with my kids.  I did get up at 5:30 a.m. yesterday to try and finish everything for the  "Halloween Carnival Parade Party 2nd Parade 6 Children Play date Another Party Tricker Treating" Day.  Not only did I NOT create fall-like art, I did not make it into the office.

Not working when I chose not to work is a small perk.  I think I only checked my blackberry 27 times yesterday - a personal best for me.  This was one of those days when the company really could do without me - amazing, but true.

It was fun (and exhausting) to be at school all day for the Halloween, I got to be .....just like the other Mom's.  Sometimes I feel it is good to be "that" mom, to be super involved with my children's school - once or twice a year I will pull out all the stops (um, that would be play date and if you take a gander at all the activities I painted) since I have that guilt thing the rest of the year.

Whether I volunteer every day in their class, or once a month, I hope they will remember that I was there all day on Halloween.  The day is about them, and I loved being involved!  As a working Mom we all have to figure out what is important and what means a lot to our children.  My son really likes that I volunteer in the class once a week to do computer lab, it means a lot to him.  So leaving work early for one day a week to be there for him for one hour - not a big sacrifice for me, and to him it means the world.

My husband is also super excited because we donated all of our old party games to my children's school.  I am not the 'buy some party decoration's type of girl - I have to paint something.  Pin the Tail on the Donkey - uh, NOT.  I know, I know I have some real control issues.

And it would not be Halloween if I did not dress up like a total ass.  Yes, that is me - I am in costume, dressed like my friend the "Stay at Home PTA Mom" (not that there is anything wrong with that)....official badge, and school jacket to boot.  I am sure she will get me back next year, or make the next year a living hell for me, I deserve it.

So, with November  officially upon us, I can saw that the Holiday Shopping Season has begun.  Any day now I am sure I will see someone wearing one of those damn Santa hats.  Personally,  I will be holding my breath for the next two months - it is a mad dash for us to the end of the year.  We do 30% to sometimes 40% of our business this time of the year, and we are on target to beat our projections (gee for a second there I sounded all like a real CEO and all).  No matter what the industry says about a a possible Recession, gas prices or the Iraq war we are damn busy. 

My poor kids probably won't see me at an event until Christmas Eve - hence the spending all day with them yesterday, and don't forget the photos to prove it at a later date, "See Mommy was at your school, I did help out, I am involved."

Be Over Prepared

November 5, 2006.

So, I may have written about this before, but it is such an important aspect of being an Mom and an entrepreneur.  I would like to say that I am ALWAYS prepared....but I am not:

• Last week we ran out of tiles and had make an emergency order
• For three weeks we have been waiting for one color of ribbon that was back ordered
• We had no batteries for our camera to film my daughter's Halloween Parade
• When our Printer could not use the lay out for our new brochure I had to scramble and back track to get another Printer involved
• When presenting quotes for a new component of our websites I forgot to get two second quotes (Accounting demands three quotes)
• Painting flowers in my daughters NEW room take not one but at least five coats of paint due to the dark coloring of the walls....
• Had to have a clock and two pillows for daughters room shipped over night
• Finished my son's costume hours before a big Halloween Party

However, I am getting very prepared, even over-prepared for a first ever event, gulp, I am going to be interviewed for a local TV show.  The film crew is going to film my children's rooms (hence the expedited shipping) and apparently interviewing me about Jamie's Painting & Design.

I am almost prepared (I think) I still have a thousand things to do before the interview but this I have done:

• I have to talked myself while driving about what I think they may ask me <check>
• I had my husband video tape me (oh how painful to watch myself and hear my voice) <check>
• I know the show backwards and forwards (what TIVO is for) <check>
• The rooms are touched up, spiffed, pillows fluffed, vacuumed, adjusted to death <check>
• I have researched the interviewee <check>
• I have asked for advice from other entrepreneurs <check>
• Taken advice from our publicist (bold colors bad, dark colors good) <check>
• And I have started a mantra "s-p-e-a-k  s-l-o-w-ly" <check>

And if all else fails I will tell a knock knock joke my son taught me....no I am kidding.  I feel pretty confident about the interview, my stomach IS doing sumersaults as I write this though.  The last thing a friend said to me when we spoke on the phone last week keeps ringing in my ears, "DO-YOUR-HOMEWORK". <CHECK>

And it Always comes back...

October 31, 2006.

The irony of this post is how I started my day...I read my news in the morning on www.cnn.com every day.  I always quickly scan the articles before logging on to my check email.  Today an article about Oprah giving away $300,000.00 caught my eye so I read it.  Unless you live under a rock you probably heard she gave $1000 to 300 people (oh not to forget Bank of America sponsored it too) insisting they must do something charitable with it, and then document it on there new DVD recorder.  I thought it was a great idea, and am anxious to see the show...then went on with my day.

So....today I got not one but two emails back confirming we were in two articles regarding 'giving back'.  Being the media savvy entrepreneur I always reply to emails from journalists or magazines looking for information for an article, or just sending some company information to an editor.  So, I did not think twice of sending out two separate responses to two separate requests on charitable things we did.

Let me back up a second, and mention we give back to the community, to victims of Hurricane Katrina, terminally ill children, families on EMHE (another blog), church functions, charity events, sponsor sport teams, etc.  I feel as a business owner it is my duty to give back.  I also feel blessed, lucky to have such success and damn it it feels good to help people.

I am happy we did give back, and I am happy to get some free publicity - I actually  hope it inspires others to give back too.  And I do agree with Oprah, who said, "I can honestly say that every gift I've ever given has brought at least as much happiness to me as it has to the person I've given it to," (Amen, Oprah and psst.....call me!)

Tracking Visitors to Your site

October 18, 2006.

So, yesterday we had a big spike on our website, in fact it went up Monday and continued to go up on Tuesday.  Today we are going back down.  We had 12% of visitors to our site from Lafayette, California, and 34% were returning visitors from all over the United States.  In other parts of the world they are viewing our site also, London, Buenos Aires, Singapore and even Dubai!  Last week we had a record Monday with our biggest day ever of views to pages and almost all were new visitors, it was 3 times the average amount of viewers to our site.

So...how do I know this?  And if you have a company website YOU should know this too....

It's called Web Analytics, and there are many companies that do this...it's basically tracking activity and performance on your website.  Analytics measures whatever you want it to measure, effectiveness of a marketing campaign, measures traffic to a website, measures activity of a shopper - it's Big Brother for sure!

We use a free product from google (www.googleanalytics.com), and it gives us a glimpse at what our customer is doing.  Now, don't get me wrong I don't know exactly where they live, I don't know who they are, and I don't know what they are looking at.  And I believe it can be skewed....what if one person in Malaysia (not likely) looks at my site 45 times a day?  I am told it should be cookied and they will look at each user as a different visitor.

So, back to why the spike?  Our angel ornament was featured in Country Living's Holiday Gift Guide, however it hit newsstands back East over two weeks ago.  So, who knows?  We do not have a marketing campaign that we have been wanting to track, or an advertisement in a magazine.  We do PR and that is all we do.

Maybe some day I will be able to see you Jane Smith at 456 Elm Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan, looking at those Snowman ornaments over and over, and over again, tracking you as you explore our website.