Jamie's Blog

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!

It starts with a logo

February 22, 2010.

I can not believe that February is almost over, I feel like this year is flying by faster than last year.  I am not sure if it is that my family is so busy, or that I am wearing numerous hats again this year.  I used to think that I could do it all, then I got sort of smart and decided I was not good at everything, so I hired employees.  With time, a Recession and just natural attrition I am back to doing, well not everything, but lots of things.  Some of those things I am not good at.  It reminds me of my second pregnancy, it was not as fun and exciting as the first time.  Don't get me wrong the end result was just as fabulous but the whole being pregnant thing - not so much.  My husband did not spoil me like he did with my first pregnancy.  My 2 year old did not understand when Mommy needed a nap, or had heartburn or why her stomach was huge.   Even my sister forgot and invited me to a wine party......then when I reminded her I was pregnant, she took back the invitation. 

So, doing all these jobs I already did once, it sort of feels like that....not as exciting as the first time.  But, that is okay, just like with the second pregnancy I know the outcome will be fabulous.  One thing I refuse to do is design our new logo.

Possible Logo Designs

I already stated that this was the year we would be going big, adding new things for JPD.  I have found it hard to get started when I have so many things to do, all while keeping up with the rest of my life and work.  Lucky for me I did not have to own 'creating a new logo'. 

I posted the possible logo designs on our Facebook Fan Page and boy did it stirred up some interesting suggestions.  Some did not like any designs, others wanted me to keep the old logo.  A few gave some very detailed art direction to help improvethe logo that was created by a professional artist.  Other suggested I create my own logo since they thought I was more creative....but back to what I do well, I don't do logos.  I do not do graphic design and it is a lot harder than it looks.  Creating a good or even great logo is very hard.

I tried to stay neutral, which was easier since I had not created the logos.  My web designer did send me this link though to have me share with all my fans.  It is a hysterical take on what happens with a web design.  I remember being hired to paint a mural when Grant was a baby and the client asked that I take the eyes from one character and put them on anotherr character.  I was also to change this smile another animal's smile and the eyebrows on one animal she wanted on all the other animals.  It took everything not to strangle her, let me tell you. 

Regardless, the feedback was helpful and was solicited (by me).  Next time I would probably be more clear about which one is your favorite, instead of asking for feedback........which is what I did, and is what I got.  Here are the five preliminary black and white logos he sent us.

Cloud Logo

I liked this logo, the cloud or the speech bubble worked for me. I can see it in colors too.  The fact that we specialize in personalized children's products - I thought it worked.  I did not love it, but I liked it. Yet, no one on my Facebook Fan Page even liked it best...so I went on to our next choice.

Paint Splatter Logo

Personally this one called out to me the loudest, I could see it with the colors of a rainbow, or pastel colors.  I am a geek for paint splattering and a huge fan of Jackson Pollack.  I don't even know why I love splattered paint, since it could just be a drop rag, and even I have done splattered paint pictures with my eyes closed.  Anyway, this one had a number of people like it just fine.  A few suggested we add more splatters, more drips to the logo.  The main reason I did not choose this is that I already get confused with being a painting company enough.   We have been listed in the yellow pages as painters, we have had stores call us to paint their windows, once last year we even had a painter come in looking for a job.  I always tell new entrepreneurs to think twice before picking a company name.

Baby Feet One

I liked the feet, but I was not crazy about the font with the feet.  I thought it was cute though, and again I did not hate it.  I don't think many chose this as a favorite though, it did not make much of an impression on the fans.

Baby Feet Two

This one I thought was adorable and I loved using the feet instead of the ampersand.  I loved the font too.  A number of people liked this one.  Our reason for not going with it is our customer base could possibly be confused and assume we only did baby products.  Our baby gifts are only one part of our entire line of products.  So, this one did not work either.  Is it just me or does this post sound like Goldilocks and the Three Bears?  This logo is too cold, this logo is too hot, this logo is just right.

The Flower Logo

This one won the popularity contest hands down - it was not even a close contest.  Most people liked this design best and felt that it was whimsical like my designs.  A few people suggested the flower's stem be broken up so that you could actually read the flower like an i, which I agreed with.  We chose this design and the only suggestion I offered was the change in the letter "i".  I know some won't like it, but such is life.  I am not one to go back and forth or even waiver or second guess myself.  Also, this was our graphic designer's favorite logo.....so it is our logo.

Good Things Do Happen in a Bad Economy

July 13, 2009

So, I am not going to apologize for not blogging, or feel guilty for not being consistent with my blogs like I used to.  I used to wake up in the middle of the night and think " I MUST BLOG", now....not so much.  It is what it is, I am sure when things pick up I will blog more.  I was reading my new BFF's blog tonight (okay she does not know it yet, but I love her books to death and I laugh out loud and snort when I read them) and she said the same thing. 

I am not sorry (nor is she) - just been busy, and in her defense she was on a book tour, me not so much, but if you had to deal with two school age children that are not in camp - you may be driven to do crazy things too.   

Also, this thang known as "The Recession of 2009" seems to be going strong - and I do not see an end anytime soon.  So, for now I am wearing all those hats I used to not wear - in other words, I am doing the dirty jobs for my company.  At least the office is sort of clean AND every damn drawer and closet in my home too.... I am just saying - when the going gets tough Jamie gets cleanin'.

New Products for 2009

We (me) released 40 new products yesterday a week ago.  We released them to our channels and on our site.  There are some new Name Plaques, some new Birth Certificates and two new products.  I am going to address one new product now (the other one, the story is not so uh detailed).  One product that came out has been under consideration for over three years, wait maybe more like four years now that I think about it.  I swear, time flies when you are having.......um, well running a business.  I don't know actually and my brain hurts but the story goes a little something like this:

The History of Our Dinner Dishes

When I started working with Vicki Bodwell of the Warm Biscuit Bedding Company and she and I would have these brain storming sessions every few months.  It was usually around the time she was going to put out a catalog.  One spring she asked if I could do plates.  I searched and searched, and tried to get big white plates - but I could not.  I could only get porcelain plates at the time.  I could have gone back to hand-painting  and getting a kiln and the whole thing, but y' all know how I feel about that.  I just figured that it was a lost cause and something I would never be able to do.

London Calling

Then along came London Edwards, I am sure you all recall that fateful email I got from her.  My true soul mate (as a friend, as an entrepreneurial friend - sheesh!).   Her and I clicked immediately and set the internet on fire with our emails back and forth, texting on Instant Messenger, the long distance calls and even a few meetings in person.  The more we talked the more we decided we wanted to work together - we just could not figure out how.  We hashed out a number of different scenarios, yet always coming up without a way to do it.  We even started discussing the big white 10 inch plates again, so I did more research.

This time I got a little farther and was able to figure out how to do it and where to get supplies.  However, the cost was huge, the investment was huge and the unknown of it not working - too much to lose.  We shelved the idea and once again, I let it go.

There Goes The Economy

Now, this past Fall when my sales stopped, or more like slowed down to a snail's pace I got an idea.  I decided that I would try ONE MORE TIME to see if I could do these plates I so wanted to do.  I brainstormed, I talked to London (of course) , I googled, I called, I emailed - I at least had something to do.  Well, it's amazing how willing people are to give you a 'deal' when their business is slow, bad or worst case gone.*

* (on a side note)I have also found that people that used to be jerks in my industry - are really nice these days.  I mean like really nice.  My Fed Ex driver comes by all the time, just to talk.  My mailman er, woman stops, talks asks if there is anything I need.  Even some of my most difficult accounts are super sweet and thankful when we do a favor.  All in all at least everyone has the same mentality of 'we are in this together'. 

Any hoo - sorry got off topic.  So not only was it affordable but making these plates was going to happen.  And happen it did.  We got the plates, we started designing and we go them to market.  Okay, maybe it was not that easy, but we did make it happen and we are making them and I sort of think I kick ass right about now.....well, okay not so much kick ass, but excited.  I really, really have tried to figure out to make these for ages (with the help of course with my trusty sidekick). 

A New Kind of Plate - Dinner Dishes

So, I have designed 24 new Dinner Dishes.  The difference is our plates are only $40.00 and we will ship them in 3-5 business days, I gurantee it.  As for designs though, I was very careful and very specific with my designs, wanting to make them look like my designs and my creations.  I have to say it is very hard to design in a circle, after always working in squares and rectangles.  Also, when you have seen designs out there for years and you are trying to come up with new ones, you have to go to all kinds of resources for inspiration - to make sure you do not copy some other companies design.  It was a good exercise for me though, good to cross my t's and make sure I was not getting too close to any other designs.  It also took  way longer than I ever imagined.  The easy route would have been to copy and move on....but I don't play that way.  I never have and I never will.

It Takes Discipline

I compare the copying to the easy way out, the road that is so easily traveled, especially like when disciplining children.  It was like when my children were babies and I made them cry it out, or I yanked them out of Home Depot when they had a tantrum.  I remember friend's stating it was just too hard, too painful and they could not bare to see their little one cry.  Ya, well guess what?  My mother always said, "If you let your children break your rules as a toddler they will break your hearts as a teenager."  Not sure if she stole that quote, or if she made it up herself - but it has helped me take the high road, the hard way with my kids.  I take that quote with my business also.  I am not ever taking that easy road.....copying is for um, well I can't say that word, it is a bad word - but you get my drift right?

Apology-spology

So, even though this is not a real apology, though I do feel bad for not blogging like used to.  Truth though is I miss the connection with all the other readers and bloggers - that I could use right about now.  I am afraid to even check my stats for fear of crying and curling up in a ball when I know the numbers.  But, I am okay with that - I may lose a few hundred (er thousand) readers but my business has to survive - and if doing everything keeps it going, so be it. 

And, truth be told, it has sort of been nice to live in the moment this past 6 months with my kids.  True - they are young for once, and even if I don't grow the business as fast as I once wanted - I am still here.  And people I ain't going NO WHERE (except for maybe an English class or two, my writing has gotten all slang and all)! 

Busy, Busy, Busy Bee...that has been ME!

June 26, 2007

Well if you can pry your eyes away long enough from the Paris Hilton incarceration tragedy....uh ya I meant to say media circus to take a look at what I have been doing.  I have been working my little fingers to the bone and figured it was time to unveil some newbie products, a little sneak peak if you will.  So please take a gander at our newest product line:

Door Hangers, Suggested Retail $25.00

The nice thing is that these are going to be added to our QUICK SHIP items and we can get these babies out the door in 3-5 days. 

I have been working with these cute little tiles for oh, gosh almost three years.  The idea for door hangers I must say was not an original idea....well I made THESE myself and gave it my own twist. 

1. The other door hangers are mostly just a sign, with out a picture or artwork.  Other door hangers tend to be wooden, ours are porcelain. 

We have been asked to do door hangers for quite sometime, but I did not have the time or the energy to really attack it.  Until this year....this Spring to be exact when I was having my own little pitty party........so I uh you know, started painting, and painting and painting.

When designing these I had a hard time figuring out what to do for a few of them.  Interestingly enough my favorite one is the Safari and it took me the longest to do.  I could not quite wrap my mind around it.  It is funny to me that the products or designs I take the longest on and that I am not enjoying are the ones I appreciate the most.  The design that come super easy, or that I paint in ten minutes I don't appreciate, I don't fall in love with.

I am also very hesitant to add a new product line to our ever growing product line.  I am not sure how it will do, wondering if it will compete with my existing products - always over thinking the situation.  I am not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  I do know that I am a bit, oh how shall I say uh.....impatient with new products...

When we released our Just Because Plaques earlier this year the sales were slow, then they started to pick up, and then more, and then a little more.  I noticed that our products tend to take awhile for the public to embrace, it's like the longer a store or boutique carries our products the BETTER they do.  Today one of our larger channels literally sells them daily, multiple plaques that is. 

Like usual I was a little quick to judge and started to think by month two that they were a dud....but luckily I was wrong.  Thank goodness nobody here listens to me, I don't know what I am talking about.

New Products.......finally! Picture Frames...really!

June 25, 2007

Please sound the trumpets....big BIG announcement, look I FINALLY got new products done:

I mean, you knew I would right? RIGHT?  You did not give up on me did you?  You had faith I would not blow it?  Right? Right? 

Okay, I bet when I threw out there that I was coming up with new products you all poo-pooed me and thought na-uh.  And then I started thinking the same thing because creating a new product does not only mean coming up with a cool idea it means so much more:

Creating a whole new line of products takes time and research.  It means finding a company that manufactures the actual product you want to use, and someone to get the product to me, then get it produced, etc, etc. 

The product also needs to be assembled, priced appropriately, made sure the artwork fits the product, find the right  sales channels......starting to sound tough now?  The gist of this post is that I have finally managed to get some of our NEW products ready for the public to actually see and purchase.   I swear I am as proud as a new Mama.........well almost.

This was no easy task let me tell you.  We had to figure out the following:

• Who will buy these products?
• Wholesale and Retail Pricing, what is the markets price point
• Who makes the product? How can I get it?  Is there a need for it?
• What shall I do with it?  What themes? Who do I show it to?
• PR, do I go for it?  Do I even have a budget for this?
• Personalized or not?  Two different lines?
• What are the margins?  Will we make enough profit?
• Who will assemble the frames?

These are all questions a business owner needs to ask when adding a new line of products.  I have decided (a long time ago) that we will always do ceramic products - keepsakes, that is our thing.  Not to say we may not venture out, but Jamie's Painting & Design is about long lasting keepsakes not wooden things, not canvas, not pillows....C-E-R-A-M-I-C.

Back in 2004 we got this bug up our butt to do Christmas ornaments.  One of our biggest channels at the time had this great idea and we jumped on it, without really understanding the ramifications.  Well our ornament sold well, really well that first year.  But not fully researching it we ended up losing money by drilling the ornaments ( that were too hard of a porcelain to drill) ourselves.  We went through so many drill bits, many tears, trips to specialists, um drill bits, tears, broken ornaments - it was painful and costly. 

So this time we spent months on the process before releasing the new products.

I hope you like them - there are many more to come!  And as my husband always says, "If running your own business was easy everyone would do it"
 

Not to Worry...Still Painting

IMG_0421
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

Okay, I got off the ledge - no no I was never that down on the company....I got a number of concerned friends and readers asking if all was okay with JPD. Yes, yes, yes - I am not doing ANY of the following;

Selling the Business
Closing Down the Business
Quitting the Business
Giving up on the Business

These are the facts:

1. It's funny this year with day light savings so early, and Easter so early, it's like 1/3 of the country is on Spring Break now, the other 1/3 is next week, and then the rest of us - our Spring Break is the week AFTER Easter (I know my fractions don't add up...math is not my strong point).  it's just a strange slow time....

2. Last year a number of catalogs dropped before Spring, so that boosted sales and moral. This year one dropped in January, one just dropped and one has yet to drop....

3. Last year it rained, non stop for 40 days and 40 nights....maybe not that many days, well it sure seemed that long, now it's gorgeous in California, about 75 degrees as I write this....I would so be cutting school right now!

4. Be careful what you wish for. When you reach all of your goals and you have crossed everything off your 'what I want to accomplish' list....well what are you to do? (psst....make a new list, make some new goals)  And I am pretty sure everyone else that works here would not be too thrilled when my only goal for the company left is get on the Oprah Show, or be in the Oprah Magazine....okay not my only goal left, come on!

And do know, I use this blog as a sounding board, a therapeutic device if you will. It's like a journal....except it's for all to read. If anything I am honest about what it takes to run a business.  I think most business owners are NOT honest about their companies. It has ups and downs, it has highs and lows, good days and bad days - it is just like life.  When you are all pumped up to start your business, these are not the things you think about.

Don't worry, I am working on some things....I'll be gung-ho crazy optimistic cheerleader entrepreneur again......I promise! 

Use Your Imagination....Get Creative

IMG_0613
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

Grant and Abby made a Leprachaun Trap, but did not catch one, whew that is all I need is Leprachaun to take care of! Anyone with children in school know that Leprachauns can cause havoc on the classroom.....That little bugger made a mess of my family room and boy were the kids excited. He was a creative little leprachaun leaving green foot prints all over the place....and um THOSE were tough to clean up!

I love my children's creativity and their ability to use there imaginations. Without any outside influences it is amazing how creative you can be....When you are not afraid of what others will think, or the "Ya but...." questions, it is amazing what you can accomplish:

Which made me think of some challenges I have faced and I see others face, running a business:

The Band Aid
Do you ever have a problem that you just keep adjusting and making small adjustments to? Not addressing the problem and finding a solution? In a sense you just keep adding more band aids....

This was me after our first year in business, painting all tiles and cooking them in my oven. I was even ready to put an oven in my garage, add more artists, farm out work, babysitter...leave more time for me to paint, but I could not grow the business.  My husband is the one who found out a way for us to press the art into the tile....and I did NOT believe it would work. We spent an entire year researching and preparing for the change, before finally jumping on the band wagon and changing our process.

I was scared and I was convinced our channels would balk at the new products, even sending samples to our largest channels. Well, you all know how THAT worked out.....

I took a risk, I had to or my company could never have grown to what it is today. It was honestly sink or swim....I ripped off the band aids and started new, problem solved.

My Way of the Highway
Being an entrepreneur (and a mom for that matter) I have had this philosophy one um, time or another...okay three times tops!!!  Being the entrepreneur this is an easy thought process, you have been the one from the begining you way SHOULD be the best....but sometimes you get so deep in the minutia of running it you lose track of what is really important.

I especially had this philosophy when we were processing orders...I was convinced we did not need a system (December of 2005 proved me wrong) for processing our orders. With upwards of 100 different themes for five different products my system (chicken scratchings on binder paper....stop laughing!) was not working. So, we had meetings we discussed....I thought NO way would we change..it could not be done...it should not be done.

I finally just threw my arms in the air and said fine....(or my husband pulled me aside and said do you want to paint designs or do you want to run the company?)....not um sure which happened. But we started processing using Excel, SKU's, specific product names....again you heard the story.

I now have a office that runs itself.  I no longer have to manage the processing of orders, the making of shipping labels, the shipping of orders, the ribbon purchasing, the purchasing of tiles, I have fabulous employees to do this!  I get to do...other things.

As the business owner you HAVE to make the tough decisions, even when they are not popular. When a problem keeps coming back and coming back and coming back....you need to find a solution. I would think your goal would to succeed....and grow, and with growth comes change, it just has to. You are going to see your competition start to take over your space if you don't.

If you aren't willing to make changes, or grow you don't have a business....you have a hobby.

Take a Chance....Just Because

just because
Originally uploaded by mama_Lents.

Okay, so I finally got around to uploading our new "non-personalized plaques". I call them Just Because Plaques...why? I don't know, just because. And, uh, well.....my friend (brilliant web designer who did our website) suggested it....so I jumped on it and now, well it just is.  I have included 6 here for you to see.

Now, again, we took a leap of faith on these plaques, reason being our company is founded on "personalized wall art for children" and "a division of personalized pet products". See, the word PERSONALIZED....it has always been the cornerstone of my company. Then I asked why? Why was this so necessary? Here are a couple of the reasons we created 27 new "Just Because Plaques" (4 already existed, but will be re-released everywhere, instead of just one website).

1. Competition Creeping Down
                                                                                          Well, these other companies that sold wall art, were not really my competition before. However, I noticed many were starting to produce glicee's (reproductions of original hand painted designs), and lower their prices. Then they started to create smaller plaques, and lower the prices more. The artists that made $100-$200 wall plaques, or hand painted designs was creating now creating $40.00 smaller versions of the best sellers. This is one way to run your business...though it goes against my core business philosophy (April 8th blog).

2. Because I Can                                                             

We have created a way of manufacturing my products that makes this possible.  As long as we work on tile I can produce anything to my hearts desire (clocks, wall art, paintings, signs, sayings, poems, did I mention art?)  We are still one of the ONLY companies out there that produces the artwork on tile, we have created a long lasting keepsake that will last forever, it will not fade, it will not rub off it will not be duplicated...not without a fight anyways.

3. Why the Hell Not?

This is a little 'rough' for a reason to develop a new line of products for my company, but it is true.  We discussed the pro's and con's and thought well it won't hurt to try.  If they do not do well or do not do AS well as other products, oh well.  Our plates are actually not one of our best selling products, however the margins are HUGE for them.  These are the same, they do not need to be personalized, they do not need to be re-configured if your daughter's name is Delphinium Chrysanthemum Snellbacher...they exist...all together now, "Just Because". 

Truth be told, and I always insist on telling the truth, with the names of innocent and very guilty not disclosed, this was very hard to do for me.  These plaques were difficult because of the 'wordings' or 'sayings' or 'nick-names' I had to put on the plaques.  It was a whole new way for me to design to say the least.  Now that they are finally finished, I do have my favorites, and my least favorites....just like with any product line.  But, uh pssst, I won't tell any of them if you won't .                                                                                                      

Painting & Coughing & News

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Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

February 26, 2007.

Just in case any one is taking a tally of the days sick and what a family of four goes through:

6 sick days and counting
6 boxes of Kleenex
2 bottles of Robitussiun Cough
4 Bottles of Motrin
1 box of Tylenol Cold
1 bottle of Apple Juice
2 sick kids with a fever (YES still!)
1 sort-of sick Mommy
2 things of Purrell
Washing sheets and everything to de-sanatize
1 healthy Dad (thank God for Dad!)

Ya, we are still not healthy, and since the fevers were still here at 3:00 p.m. today.....we will be home AGAIN tomorrow! I don't know what to do.....if I was Ellen DeGenneres I would dance....since I am not I am painting.

In the midst of the Lentzner Flu Epidemic of 2007, we have had some amazing news: a HUGE, with a capital "H" has agreed to carry our new products on there site. We (uh, me) created 30 brand new plaques that are non-personalized and should be ready any day now. Some of our products are already on the site, but this is a bigger and better, more extensive exposure than we had in the past. And if I was not so sleepy I would....dance.

I will post them next blog....or if I can stop the coughing that is going on around here maybe sooner.

And lastly, I have been chosen as a guest (I think, or permanent) blogger on Working Mother's website (www.workingmother.com). I am listed as Mompreneur. Since I am just introducing their audience to my blog, I have had to kind of back up about 12 mons. and bring them up to speed on running a small business and raising a family. So if you want to read another of my blogs (really? isn't one more than enough?) you can check it out.

Hope you are all healthier than we are......Ah..Ah..AH-Chooooo! Okay, need to go open another box of Kleenex.

And now something New....

Hey Diddle Diddle 152
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

February 11, 2007.

We have about 30 new products coming out tomorrow. The paintings and designs were actually done back in December, late at night - needing a creative outlet during the crazy Christmas season. The products were then released at the Atlanta Gift Show and we finally got around to getting them photographed a few weeks ago. Now it is just a matter of sending them out and letting everyone know we have new products.

This Hey Diddle Diddle Birth Certificate is a personal favorite of mine. Sometimes you paint something and you just love it....othertimes you want to barf, and sometimes it is just not my thing. I don't know why but I love the Hey Diddle Diddle Birth Certificate.

I am trying to round out the 'themes' for all of our product lines so that we can cross over and make every grandma/friend/new parent happy with all the birth certificates we do.

This has been something I have wanted to do for years, really expand the line - but have never done. I think when you feel you need to or want to do something you have to just do it. I just started painting new designs at night because I had these ideas for so many years it was like do or die. Well, no not that - but if an idea has been swimming around in your head for over a year you need to do something about it.

What do you want to be?

IMG_0434
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

February 7, 2007.

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

"....an Entrepreneur."

Uh, what honey?  What did you say?

Well, I am pretty sure that was not what I said all those years ago, however it is what I am.

I have a really hard time filling out those questionnaires to 'define' what it is I do: Artist? yep Designer? ya  Manager?  uh huh Home Maker? sometimes Mother?  all the time Wife? yeeess Business Owner? absolutely Wholesale Business? check Manufacturer? mmm do that too  Arts? yesirrree Children's Industry? ya Pet Industry? okay sort of

AHHHHHHHH!! Too many answers, not enough space for my answer.

I read this book earlier this year , "How to Start a Creative Manufacturing Business" by Pamela Barsky (http://www.pamelabarsky.com/books.php?). It really put everything into perspective for me, and I so wish I had found this book, one, two, three, even four years ago. It would have saved a lot of head aches for me. The quote to describe her book, "it is the toughest job you'll ever love..." ya that is it. Anyone that reads this blog that wants to start her own business or his making things - it is a must read!

Today was NOT the mostest, bestest day by far, we had a few snags to say the least. Thank God, not all were our snags - some were just life, some were other people, and some were two people I work with (yes two) getting called to jury duty.....

• Three tiles need to be re-done
• We ran out wheels, screws and brown suede, oh and stamps and paper towels
• Kitting, gift wrap and gift cards were not done before shipping started
• UPS and Fed Ex had not yet come when I left the office
• A company kept me on hold for 22 minutes regarding a lost order (they lost the order)
• I spilled hot pink paint on the carpet in my office (um yes we rent)
• My daughter uttered a word I can NOT repeat here while playing her brothers gameboy
• Snafu with flight to trade show that I thought was cancelled

However, while driving home today my daughter stated out of the blue (minus the profanity used earlier in the day), "Mommy when I grow up I want to be an artist, like you.  That way I can work with you and help you make things"

Ahhh...to be 4 1/2 again, and the fact that she wants to spend time even work with her mother, "Don't cha just LOVE it?"  Things aren't so bad after all.

The Ornament Gamble

3 Small Christmas Ornaments
Originally uploaded by mama_lentz.

November 16, 2006.

Yes, yes I got my dates wrong yesterday. And yes I figured out this new photo sharing site (www.flickr.com) that is awesome. I was thinking I needed to spruce up blog a little and seeing everyone else's blogs with photos....made me have blog envy.

So.....being one month until we ship all of our holiday products, I am posting some of our new 2006 products, not to change the blog to a newsletter but to make a point, so please read on, dont throw your hands up in the air and give up on me... These new products were a bit of a 'gamble' for us, here is why:

JPD has sold Christmas ornaments for 2 years, this is our third Christmas selling them. We double our sales year after year, and it really adds to the bottom line this time of the year (only a few super-crazy-organized customers buy our ornaments in July - again I have holiday shopping envy). So, our larger oval ornaments sell for about $32-35, depending on the channel. Then last year a 'competitor' came out with a similar ornament, that sold for less.  The ornament was very similar, yet priced lower (rant about copy-cats here).

We researched smaller ornaments in January of this year.  We had to make sure we were not going to under cut our larger ornament sales. Would we get more sales?  Do we have the customer that is okay spending $20, but not $35 - we realized we did not.

I have to say, it has been a good decision for us; our sales are up, and we were able to get into a Gift Catalog that we have been trying to get into for two years (www.femailcreations.com).

When looking at your business model and your product line, you need to look at your customer.  You need to understand what makes them tick, where are you missing.  Ask yourself who am I selling to?  Be ready to look hard at your customer, it's good to do this on a regular basis.  We have already started to discuss a company meeting come January 2007 to look at what we do well, and what we do not do so well....

Which brings me a conversation I had early last year.  I was brainstorming new products, new ideas, with one of our bigger sales channel owners.  I had pithed her an idea about our tiles, really trying to capitalize on the success we were having.  She made me stop and told me something that has stuck with me and I try to  live by it, "You can't be everything to everybody".

Here we go again...

June 7, 2006.

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

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

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

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

Posh Pet Gifts by Jamie

May 30, 2006.

Three, two, one.......blast off - we are now live!!!  Our new venture www.poshpetgifts.com is now live.  Okay, um we are live!  We are ready to take orders!   Why aren't there any orders???  Is anyone listening????  Come ON people!  Anyone.....?

Truth be told, yes we launched a new division of Jamie's Painting and Design - a personalized pet division.  In a year or two we will launch another division to round out the company.  And yes very excited, we are doing a big press push, and hoping to get some interest in the division.  This is all true...but no one knows we exist, until now.

To get sales channels and get interest you need to a number of things with your website.  I have had more companies claim their website is live and EXPECT that millions of visitors (and customers) will flood their site.  How are they promoting the site? Who are they advertising to?  Are they purchasing ads on line?  Do they have reps?  Did they buy words?  Do they even own the name of their company?

You need a plan, and it is hard let me tell you.  You need to generate a 'buzz' and you need to generate sales. To each is own, some hire sales reps, some purchase tons of advertisements, some go to trade shows, some buy words on google or yahoo - but you need to do something.

Anyone can put up a website, but not everyone can create a whole business around it.