What Procrastinating Causes

I am suppose to be making coleslaw and packing for the cottage, we are going away for a few days to Rock's grandparent's cottage.  I want to go and get away for a few days, I just don't want to do the packing, I only have a little bit left to do but don't' feel like it right now.

I figured if I am procrastinating I should update you guys with my progress.  There hasn't been much, I am waiting for the quiet and the less distractions at the cottage to work on my Right Brain Business Plan. Working out product ideas, had a great idea for a new hat design and will make Tutu a prototype.

I found some more great links to share for any of you interested.

Handmadeology - a great resource for those with Etsy shops although the knowledge an be used for any small business.They have a great article for starting an Etsy store.  In that article I found a great link for this site Imaginative Bloom, they have a bunch of great creative business articles that I really enjoyed until I realized that they were written by April from Blacksburg Belle that I mentioned before. Gussy had a series on her blog today with inspirational business tips, that she co-hosted here are Just Love.ly .

I hope that these can help you out a bit, I found them very useful.

Today after spending much of my breaks and lunches at work researching I broke out some new watercolours and just played.

Tomorrow we are off for a few days of rest and relaxation before we have a crazy busy week of fun filled vacation days.  I hope you have a couple of creative days while I am off.

Ania

How Marketing Rocks a Date

I swear at this point I can name random business and marketing facts and tie in examples into my personal life and even my work life. Stuff that most people don't care about I bring into the conversation because it is what I am spending most of my free time researching. 

For example, on Wednesday Rock and I headed to the Apple Store (without kids, I know a hot date right?), because his beloved Ipod Nano dies. Yup it no loner works. He used that thing on a daily basis for 4 1/2 years. It served him well. While we were at it we brought mine to be checked out too because it's starting to act up after 5 years.  So we were talking with the genius and I told him that these babies were well loved and how long we used it.  After finding out that they can't be repaired, we found out the price to replace them or we could take a 10% discount on a new product.  Well since we (ok, I had) been eying the Itouch we purchased a one for now (since my ipod is still working). So in the car, Rock said why the hell would I mention to them how long we've had the product when we are trying to get something from them. So I told him that, this is a service that they offer to everyone regardless of how long you own your product. I also told him that it's cheaper for them to offer us the 10% discount to keep us a loyal brand customers then it is for them to pay for advertising to get new customers. Yup, I just used all that knowledge I have been pouring over for hours on my husband.  Doesn't that make for a great date? But at least it proves to him that I am serious about my commitment to getting this business started.

So in my quest to get this business going I am ready to gather my information and come up with my business plan, I know what info I need to have now I just need to develop it.  I am also messing around with products.  I have to figure out my target market and cater towards that. I *know* I am not my target market. I also have to figure out if I will cater to kids, adults or both. 

 Gathering images to collage my Right Brain Business Plan

Here are some of the blogs I am checking out lately. This post resonates with me so much but seriously you need to check out her whole site. I am gleaning so. much. good. information from here. Here and here is also where I spent most of last week.

Slowly working towards my dream, no backing out now.

Ania

I Think I Am Going Crazy AKA Starting A Small Business

I know I haven't been posting very often or much exciting stuff lately except for my 2 regular weekly post. I thank all of you for sticking around. I plan on coming out of hibernation soon but as I mentioned previously I am now working towards a goal of setting up an Etsy shop by October.  

 

I have been working hard towards this goal, I am currently reading Right-Brain Business Plan as I put together my business plan. It is a great book geared towards creative entrepreneurs.

 

I also wanted to share some other resources I have tap while on this journey. I think it's a blessing to share the wealth of knowledge with others.  These blogs have shared their wealth of knowledge and I am putting it all in one place so you don't have to do all the crazy footwork to find it.  I will say that I find that as I read one blog, I click a link to another blog that leads me to another resource.  Some of the resources come up a few times. It's like all this information is interconnected. Like I am meant to find it and the repeats I see just reiterate that I need to pay attention to what is being said here.

 

I have received a tremendous amount of knowledge and support from the community at Goddess Circle. I joined it over a year ago because I wanted Leonie's business course but it made more sense for me to join the circle and have access to all her course and a community for a few dollars more.  If you are looking for community to support your wild dreams and access to get e-courses ranges from business, to creativity and beyond this is a great resource.  Her blog also has a great wealth of information for starting a business.

 

When I Grow Up blog, has great insight and free resources

 

Kelly Rae Roberts has an amazing blog and book. Her book is what started me back on my path of being creative. After having Monkey and Muffin, I went into mom mode, I wanted to be the best mom I could be but it's hard when you lose yourself. I bought her book and got a lot out of it and not just about how to create art.  Then in one of the magazines I read she was featured in it and there was a bog for her. So of course I followed it.  She has great info on starting a creative business and has some e-courses about it too. I have not yet taken the courses yet but plan on it shortly.

 

 

This Business Blog Series from Quiltish has given me some good insight and asked some good questions to help me recently.  It had me thinking of things that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

 

I started following  Alissa because of her What I Wore Wednesday post through the Pleated Poppy.  But guess what not only is she cute and stylish, she also runs successful business and shares her knowledge as well.   She had a post here on e-commerce that has me rethinking my options. A post here on having a handmade business. As you can see I'm am getting some good info here.

 

 

Oh My Handmade.This is one I just recently turned onto and boy am I getting some good info from here.

 

I found the Blacksburg Belle blog through one of my bread crumb searches I mentioned above.  I love her videos and she gives great information. I signed up for her newsletter and was lucky enough to take advantage of her birthday sale and purchased her e-courses.  I am currently working through them and getting lots of good insight.

 

The Etsy Seller Handbook, OMG this has sooo much amazing information.  Even if you don't end up selling on Etsy you can glean so much good information from here.

 

I am so excited and yet totally terrified about this new chapter in my life, there is a lot of work involved to getting this started right.  I am exhausted from working full time, trying to enjoy the summer with the kids and regular household duties plus trying to get this set up. I spend my breaks and lunches doing research and reading. My free moments while watching the kids crocheting and coming up with products to see l and trying out potential product designs and also reading and working on my business plan.   I know that this exhausting schedule wont' stop once I get going but I have to focus on my end goal.

 

I have to thank my friend A for sending me an e-mail that pushed me forward. I was a bad friend and didn't respond to her for a month but that's because I was putting my plan into action and I wanted to be able to respond back to her with something positive.  She has been a great friend and cheerleader for me for years. I met her at a Youth Employment Seminar where she was teaching. She helped me get my first job and later started working at the non-profit where she got me placed.  She has helped me a lot throughout the years and I really appreciate her support, her advice and her friendship.  Thank you so much A for sticking with me all these years.

 

Hope that if you are on this journey as well this was helpful to you,

 

Ania