Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Simplify
Recent events have lead me to look and my life look for ways to simplify things both personally and for my business. Personally I have decided that we need to look at all the things we have and try and down size again. Give away those things we are not using and are just sitting in storage as well my Son just had a birthday and was given many new toys so I think we need to go through his toys again and give away the ones we are not playing with. I am also looking at my life personally and realizing that I need to keep it simple and eliminate things that are tying me down and causing unnecessary stress.
For my business I have been looking at my product lines and what is selling and what is not selling and there are two lines I want to get rid of but am not really sure what the quickest way to do said thing would be? I have tried putting one on sale but it hasn't worked so my next thought is maybe ebay or kijji? I would like to free up space in my office and my bank account. I have also been trying to consider what to do next product wise to try and draw people to my site and I am very intrigued by Waldorf toys I love imaginative play and toys that encourage that. I am bringing some play silks as I have customers requesting those and I am also looking at some wooden toys that are very much like Haba toys but less expensive and handmade. I really want to look for things that are well made, simple and encourage children to use their imaginations. I am also thinking I want to get out of my cloth diapers and clothing to focus on Handmade and play things.
So I guess the plan for now is to work on developing a plan to simplify and declutter!
For my business I have been looking at my product lines and what is selling and what is not selling and there are two lines I want to get rid of but am not really sure what the quickest way to do said thing would be? I have tried putting one on sale but it hasn't worked so my next thought is maybe ebay or kijji? I would like to free up space in my office and my bank account. I have also been trying to consider what to do next product wise to try and draw people to my site and I am very intrigued by Waldorf toys I love imaginative play and toys that encourage that. I am bringing some play silks as I have customers requesting those and I am also looking at some wooden toys that are very much like Haba toys but less expensive and handmade. I really want to look for things that are well made, simple and encourage children to use their imaginations. I am also thinking I want to get out of my cloth diapers and clothing to focus on Handmade and play things.
So I guess the plan for now is to work on developing a plan to simplify and declutter!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Calgary Photography [Simply Connected Photography]
Hi there! My story starts with a little ol' mom that has always had an interest in photography. I took some classes in college, on-line, through U of C and the City of Calgary. After years of taking "pictures" of my kids I branched out to friends and family. November 2007 two sets of friends finally convinced me to step out of my "safe zone" and capture images for "REAL". For real....no way, I totally thought I couldn't....what if I do it and no one like it, what if my passion (oh it's a HUGE passion) starts to feel like a real job and I hate it...what if, what if....what if I absolutely fall in love with it and become successful:)
One year after launching Simply Connected Photography we are offering professional grade products and creating priceless art for your walls!
Stepping off that cliff to the unknown was hard....telling people out loud what I do was even harder. The 'what ifs" kept me up at night, but slowly as time passed and my confidence grew those drowning thoughts lightened their grip and have faded away.
[Goals]
...to create a "want" and "need" ( as archiving your heritage IS important!).
Step "outside the box" with my own blog and help educate the public about custom portraiture.
To learn successful business tactics and inspiration by my other fellow bloggers!
Two things of interest...
I am looking to interview someone with particular knowledge about scrapbooking or any business relations to image archiving. I will blog this interview about the importance of capturing images of our children and families for future generations. Please contact me through e-mail or phone if you have any interest in participating. On my blog post you can submit written information about your business along with your contact info. I will also provide a link from my blog directly to your website/blog. Contact simplyconnected@shaw.ca or 403.829.6783 Thanks!
You are all the first to know....I am thinking of offering a grand studio opening special of "mini photo sessions"! Mini sessions are short but very sweet...they come packed full of products to enhance your custom art! Freshen your image (capture your child as they are now) with a 1/2 hour studio session, approximately 7- 10 images in gallery, a 5 x 5 hand-made professional grade album of all gallery images, and one desk print (8 x 10) for $300!
Take care,
Brandi
www.simplyconnectedphotography.ca
Praise Moves
As you know, I'm HUGE on walking. I love to walk. It's the only exercise I can actually get myself to do consistently, and I absolutely LOVE the way I feel when I'm walking, and after I'm done. I am invigorated, stimulated, energized, and focused. Woohoo!
What I like best is that you can use walking as a spiritual meditation - it's not always easy to do that with other kinds of exercise.
However, for some reason, not all of us like walking. I can hardly believe it, but there was a time when even I didn't like to walk.
So, what can you do then?
Read more here: www.PraiseWalker.com
What I like best is that you can use walking as a spiritual meditation - it's not always easy to do that with other kinds of exercise.
However, for some reason, not all of us like walking. I can hardly believe it, but there was a time when even I didn't like to walk.
So, what can you do then?
Read more here: www.PraiseWalker.com
Thursday, March 26, 2009
It's Official
Hi there. My name is Noreen, and I am a SAHM. It became official last week when I received a letter granting me a parenting leave from my job with my school board. It was exhilarating as well as terrifying. Since graduating from University I have never been unemployed. I have always had my own money and been able to make my own decisions. I owned two homes before my husband and I met, and we still maintain separate bank accounts for daily use. But now, for the first time since living at home with my parents, I will be dependent on someone else for money. Yikes.
My hubbie has no issue with this...I am blessed that he works hard, owns his own business and makes a good enough salary that I can stay home with our two boys. He willingly gives me money each month to run the house and purchase whatever we need. I am the one who (to borrow from and mangle a phrase by author Virginia Wolf) needs to have a little money of her own.
I need it so I don’t feel I have to ask hubbie if I can buy that magazine or this blouse. I need it so I can blow it or save it as I see fit. I need it so I can feel like I am still contributing, even if it’s only in a small way. So, I needed to figure out a way to get that little money of my own.
Now over the years I have been involved with a few different direct sales companies – some profitable, some not so much. But I don't love hounding friends and family to do parties or making high pressure sales pitches. My background is teaching, not sales. But when my love of teaching combined with my love of scrapbooking, it seemed like a good fit to start a direct sales business with Creative Memories. I have been a CM consultant for 4 years now and I have really enjoyed being able to use my teaching and visual arts background to help ladies learn how to create simple scrapbook albums that celebrate and preserve their personal stories. But since I am not a high pressure sales gal, the monetary gains have not been stellar.
So, when hubbie and I decided I would stay home for a while, I thought long and hard about what I could do to work from home. I researched a lot of different WAHM websites and opportunities, but none of them seemed to fit me. I decided my best bet would be to take my love of teaching people to scrapbook and expand my business. So after a lot of thought, Sharing Memories Scrapbooking was born just a few months after my second son was.
It is really a hybrid business with multiple streams of income. I continue to sell Creative Memories scrapbooking products, but I also organize workshops, classes and retreats, design custom digital photocards, scrapbook for hire (completing albums for those who are not interested in scrapbooking themselves, but would like to have albums for their family) and maintain a content based SBI website that produces Adsense and affiliate income streams, and I plan on selling page and project kits on the site sometime later in 2009. While the income from each individual aspect of the business at this time is not huge, there is lots of potential for growth. And most importantly, I can do something I am passionate about from home while being there for my two little boys.
So my posts on this great new WAHMsPage blog will chronicle my adventures as I work at building up this business. I look forward to sharing with you and learning from the other WAHM’s posting here as well.
My hubbie has no issue with this...I am blessed that he works hard, owns his own business and makes a good enough salary that I can stay home with our two boys. He willingly gives me money each month to run the house and purchase whatever we need. I am the one who (to borrow from and mangle a phrase by author Virginia Wolf) needs to have a little money of her own.
I need it so I don’t feel I have to ask hubbie if I can buy that magazine or this blouse. I need it so I can blow it or save it as I see fit. I need it so I can feel like I am still contributing, even if it’s only in a small way. So, I needed to figure out a way to get that little money of my own.
Now over the years I have been involved with a few different direct sales companies – some profitable, some not so much. But I don't love hounding friends and family to do parties or making high pressure sales pitches. My background is teaching, not sales. But when my love of teaching combined with my love of scrapbooking, it seemed like a good fit to start a direct sales business with Creative Memories. I have been a CM consultant for 4 years now and I have really enjoyed being able to use my teaching and visual arts background to help ladies learn how to create simple scrapbook albums that celebrate and preserve their personal stories. But since I am not a high pressure sales gal, the monetary gains have not been stellar.
So, when hubbie and I decided I would stay home for a while, I thought long and hard about what I could do to work from home. I researched a lot of different WAHM websites and opportunities, but none of them seemed to fit me. I decided my best bet would be to take my love of teaching people to scrapbook and expand my business. So after a lot of thought, Sharing Memories Scrapbooking was born just a few months after my second son was.
It is really a hybrid business with multiple streams of income. I continue to sell Creative Memories scrapbooking products, but I also organize workshops, classes and retreats, design custom digital photocards, scrapbook for hire (completing albums for those who are not interested in scrapbooking themselves, but would like to have albums for their family) and maintain a content based SBI website that produces Adsense and affiliate income streams, and I plan on selling page and project kits on the site sometime later in 2009. While the income from each individual aspect of the business at this time is not huge, there is lots of potential for growth. And most importantly, I can do something I am passionate about from home while being there for my two little boys.
So my posts on this great new WAHMsPage blog will chronicle my adventures as I work at building up this business. I look forward to sharing with you and learning from the other WAHM’s posting here as well.
Calling all Moms Businesses!
I am organizing a local Kids Stuff sale in Okotoks for April. -Like I dont have enough to do!, but last years show was a lot of fun and demand was for another!
It will feature any businesses that cater to kids thru services or products.
Contact myself at envirolife@shaw.ca if you are interested in exhibiting.
It will feature any businesses that cater to kids thru services or products.
Contact myself at envirolife@shaw.ca if you are interested in exhibiting.
More Important Than A Business Plan
Ah, I love all the great resources posted about business plans. I've referred them and used them myself. Even though I'm a marketing professional, I'm not about to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily, nor recommend my clients do it.
But what is a business plan for? In my opinion, it IS to get financing. Now, you absolutely must write down your goals and have a plan in writing. You must research and understand your business today, your potential customers, your opportunities, your challenges, etcetera, and the business planning PROCESS can do all that for you. But there are more useful documents for YOU to use for your business once the business planning process is complete.
But what is a business plan for? In my opinion, it IS to get financing. Now, you absolutely must write down your goals and have a plan in writing. You must research and understand your business today, your potential customers, your opportunities, your challenges, etcetera, and the business planning PROCESS can do all that for you. But there are more useful documents for YOU to use for your business once the business planning process is complete.
I personally adopt a very visual approach and create maps of my entire business, and I do the same for every project I undertake. From goal setting to strategic plan to execution to evaluation... it's all diagrammed in a one page picture that is a snapshot of what I'm doing, why and how I'm going to determine the success. For most small business owners, who probably are not seeking capital, anything that they will ACTUALLY look at again once the planning done is what they need for themselves. Why? Because a plan is your map, it is your GPS. Without it, you might know where you are and you might know where you want to get, but you will not know how to get there without getting lost.
So, when it comes to planning... OH YES you need a plan. And I hope you have more than instincts and your doodles to rely on to help your business grow. But between napkin notes and business plans, I hope you also adopt something more highly functional for your day to day planning. Something that gets you motivated everytime you read it, everytime you feel overwhelmed, everytime you feel lost and confused about why you started your business in the first place. Your map shows you a clear picture of sanity amongst the challenges of the rest of your life.
So, when it comes to planning... OH YES you need a plan. And I hope you have more than instincts and your doodles to rely on to help your business grow. But between napkin notes and business plans, I hope you also adopt something more highly functional for your day to day planning. Something that gets you motivated everytime you read it, everytime you feel overwhelmed, everytime you feel lost and confused about why you started your business in the first place. Your map shows you a clear picture of sanity amongst the challenges of the rest of your life.
I'm excited to meet a client tomorrow and show my map diagram approach. From diagrams I leap into concise, three page documents. Three pages for my entire marketing plan overview. Then three pages for each tactical element of my planning efforts. I love my pictures and three page plans.
If you'd like to learn more about my approach, feel free to complete my online survey (the purpose of it is to help me guide my own business direction... my company is new and I'm still sorting out some aspects to serve my women small business community the best way I can... the survey is guiding some key decisions). By completing the survey, you earn a free half hour, absolutely NO obligation consultation to learn more about my services and to discover my unique and fun approach to what would otherwise be the 'dreaded' planning. Hey, I'm creative too... in my own "I can't sew or knit to save my life" kind of way.
Click Here to take survey
If you'd like to learn more about my approach, feel free to complete my online survey (the purpose of it is to help me guide my own business direction... my company is new and I'm still sorting out some aspects to serve my women small business community the best way I can... the survey is guiding some key decisions). By completing the survey, you earn a free half hour, absolutely NO obligation consultation to learn more about my services and to discover my unique and fun approach to what would otherwise be the 'dreaded' planning. Hey, I'm creative too... in my own "I can't sew or knit to save my life" kind of way.
Click Here to take survey
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