One Year of Networking

Amazing is the only word I can use to describe the support out there for small business owners and woman entreprenuers. Networking, though hard sometimes to force myself to do (because I so easily work by myself), has been a huge asset to my little company.

It's been one year since I first launched my company, Bloomsies. (Happy Anniversary to the Blooms!) I remember laying in bed and thinking how it was all going to work out. I wondered if there was a market for my little bouquets. I was nervous that it wouldn't take off, that Bloomsies would fail right away? Would people get it? But then, I was nervous that it would take off too. What if I was too busy, too soon, and I couldn't keep up with the demand? How was my pricing? Is the product good enough? Should I make it better? What about shipping? Is it to expensive? What about money, did I have enough to begin a company or should I get a loan? Did I have time to give this company what it needed to grow? I felt like Alice in Wonderland; big, small, confused, unsure, confident, and not so much. The questions of the unknown mixed with the full spectrum of emotions that had taken over my being, they kept me up at night... and they still do.

I decided to reach out. I found Ladies Who Launch and Facebook.

How I found Ladies Who Launch is a funny story, really. My girlfriend had handed me a brochure the summer before while we were walking through downtown Snohomish, and I had kept it in my portfolio of business cards, mainly because it was pink and white polka-dots and I had quickly read it as "Ladies Who Lunch." (My favorite color is pink, I love polka-dots, and I wondered why ladies, who didn't know eachother, would want to meet for lunch.) In November I came across the brochure once more, and took a closer look. That night, I set up my Facebook account, started developing a website, and I goggled Ladies Who Launch. In January, I finally made it to my first LWL meeting, finding the women in this networking group to be both engaging and inspiring. With new-found support and wisdom from the women around me, I no longer felt alone and scared, but for the first time, was feeling like I was part of a team.

In January, I joined the Snohomish Wedding Guild. Then with my Valentine's launch on Etsy, February brought a suprise write up on Bloomsies. Followed by more LWL meetings, and in March, Bloomsies had finished runner up in a radio contest that was celebrating woman and small business. Bloomsies made its debut in the Seattle Women's Show and then had a good showing at a show in Snohomish. I hired a business consultant and started working on my online presence. In July, Bloomsies celebrated 600 fans on Facebook! All this while finding BNI and so many other networking groups in the Seattle area. It has been a wonderful year of growth.

At the beginning of Bloomsies are my friends Erik and Alyssa. My support team who helped me in realizing my goals and actually kept me on track while I was launching Bloomsies. Then there are the women I have met through Ladies Who Launch, whose successes encourage me to stay focused and work hard everyday...even though my life has taken on a busy that leaves little extra time to attend meetings. There are my friends and family who continue to cheer me on, and then there is me. Often I am my own road block, and I find it hard to network or reach out to that support. Even though, throughout the year, my most successful months have been when I was out there... networking.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Find Bloomsies on Etsy at http://bloomsies.etsy.com/ or at http://www.itsbloomsies.weebly.com/

Balance

I went to hot yoga yesterday. Reflection. With my instructor's soothing voice in my mind, I try to free myself of other thoughts. Focus on the form. Focus on the breathing. Focus. Hold it. Focus. Lost it.

This year the kids activities, their school, my home, family, business and daily workout goals, have me so busy that sometimes I find myself losing my balance.

What is the answer?
Can I do it all?
How do other people do it?

If you know the answer... I am listening. I am ready to find the answers.

Wasted Time or Hidden Inspiration

I am a blog searcher this morning. It is for work... not just for pleasure. I can't say how many I've read, but I've been up and reading blogs for about an hour. Another early morning that will knock me out by three this afternoon making me wish I was still drinking coffee (I gave it up last night). A decision I'll probably need to rethink.

For now though, I am fine.

There are many interesting people online, writing about interesting things. Today's findings are mostly sexually themed. One woman describes her vagina as a book (I guess it will soon be a published book). Another woman finds herself through intimate acts with different partners. And the third that stands out to me claimed that she is a woman, but in my opinion, through her words I totally read MAN (don't ask me why).

While this is not what this morning's blog search was supposed to drum up, my goal was to find blogs that would connect to my Bloomsies business, I am smiling. I truly enjoy the fact that people take a blank page and write about themselves. I always tell my kids that "There are all kinds of people in this world. Don't judge. It makes our world go round." And... I have lost my focus.

I don't get it. Sometimes I am so focused and find what I am looking for. Today, however, if my blog search is any indication, may be a long day of aimless wandering. It happens. If nothing else, this morning's blog reading has inspired me to make an entry of my own. Which hasn't been done in quite a long time. We truly must celebrate inspiration when it hits and not waste it, right? Well, I think it just did! I think today might be the day to get my bachelorette Bloomsies made and online...and I may choose another day to give up coffee.

Here's to happy blogging!

Summer Vacation

While working on a Bloomsie for a mom-to-be on my son's baseball team, I started thinking how with the end of this season, summer is here. Wow, a school year flies! Imagine it. We start in August with school supplies and new clothes. The sleepless night filled with anticipation before the first day back to school finally arrives. The backpack is packed with labeled goods, the first day outfit is laid out on the end of the bed, new lunch boxes sit quietly in the kitchen ready to be filled with the first of--what?--180 lunches?!! Tomorrow promises to be a day of smiles...we get to see our friends again! We are tan (hopefully) and excited for routine to begin again.



I did say "We." The first day back is not just for the kids. As an active mom involved in the PTA, classroom and library, I am just as ready to see my friends too! No, its not that I want to get rid of the kiddos for six hours a day so that I can catch up on my work once again, or get into a regular workout schedule, or simply take in some silence (although these may factor into my excitement to some extent), rather it is that I love to see everyone again. But now I've gotten ahead of myself. I was talking about the quickly approaching summer vacation.



There are three things that I know we will be doing this summer. A short trip to the East coast to visit family, a lot of playtime, and volunteer work. Emphasis on the VOLUNTEER work. We haven't decided on what volunteering the kids and I will be participating in yet, but the opportunities are endless online which is very thrilling. I failed to plan any camps for the long summer days and after the last few afternoons with fighting kids, I am almost regretting my procrastination. Almost! Secretly I have devised a plan to keep them busy, having fun and learning without knowing it. Ha ha! Whether it is working with Habitat for Humanity, the local library, or creating our own Kids Care Club, my kids will be will be learning that they can make a difference. I can't wait to see where this summer adventure takes us, but I'll keep you posted.



Let the routine with flip flops and sun screen begin!

Let's go!

Back in the swing of things. I think.

Today Bloomsies has a meeting with a marketing consultant. A brilliant idea really, why didn't I think of that?! Hopefully there will be answers to the many questions I have and maybe it will feel like moving forward is just a step in that direction!

Wanting to check out Bloomsies? www.itsbloomsies.com or www.bloomsies.etsy.com (New Organic Cotton Blooms recently listed!)

When busy takes over...

It has been over a month since my last blog.

What's been happening?

I've been getting ready for another Bloomsies show. Its this Saturday in Snohomish, Washington. http://www.itsbloomsies.com/

I've been running... a lot. Trying to get in competition shape again. I think I may give the XGym a try, just for kicks.

I've been working on the house, trying to find my spot in the networking world, working on the art at my kid's school, and watching a lot of baseball and softball games.

So basically, its just been busy for me lately. I still have a fabulous list of vendors that I am planning to share with my readers... its coming... sooner than you think!

Have a great day!

Steph

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

I didn't think I would get discouraged from putting my Bloomsies in an auction. Bloomsies was part of a booth at the Northwest Women's Show at the beginning of March. Since being a part of that show, I have had countless emails from people asking me to donate a Bloomsie for their fundraising events. Unfortunately, I can't constantly donate. I wish I could. There are so many great causes out there and I'd love to be a part of helping them out. From a business point of view though, Bloomsies is small and I could lose too much giving it all away for free. Even if it is for a good cause and advertising. By them asking though, it gave me confidence, and so I donated one to a cause close to my heart. Keeping this in mind, I decided to go to the auction and see how the Bloomsie did.

Advertising... a tricky subject. Twitter, Facebook, I donate, I word of mouth, and have recently launched into trade shows. I am finding that I can do all this (its mostly just time and a little money), but it may not be worth it for my company unless I'm reaching my target client. How do I reach my target client? Who is this? What is her profile? How do I find out that I am reaching this person, without breaking the bank?

Recently I went to a seminar on "how to build your brand." The first thing the speaker said was find your client. Target your client. We then designed profiles of our target clients. (Yes, I was trying to answer the questions that I just asked... and yes, I still am!) The profile I created was that of one of my favorite clients already. I called her Margie. She was my model and if I could clone her, I am sure I'd hit the mark with the Bloomsies! I left the seminar feeling rejuvenated and ready to conquer the world of business... full force!

Isn't it funny how one evening can knock the wind out of your sails. One of the set backs of life. This makes me think of the movie You've Got Mail, when Tom Hanks' character says, "Its not personal, its business." Don't we tend to take the things we care about personally, even in business? Isn't that what gives a company passion and drive to grow? I don't know... really. I am just throwing out the question, maybe hoping to get an answer. Maybe not.

I wish that my business was easy. I wish I had invented the little plastic tabs at the end of the shoelace. Brilliant! A need we didn't realize we had, until one day, that tab made sticking the lace through the little hole of the tennis shoe easy. Or, how about the coffee cup cuff? WHAT!?! I think that is awesome! Yes, we need this!

I have a friend who has created a product, that in my mind, is one of those brilliant products. It is a need that people have, but how does she make them understand they have it? Different than my Bloomsies. Bloomsies are a gift. A unique gift that brightens up a day and can be used and used again. Which brings me back to the beginning of this blog.

I donated a Bloomsie for the Center of Battered Women Auction yesterday. I stalked through the silent auction checking out the items, and keeping my eyes on my donation and the bid sheet. Watching the people respond to it, I had mixed emotions. I couldn't tell what they thought. Maybe I was just hoping for too much, and maybe the woman who won the Bloomsie is home with it and thinking, "Look what I got for such a good deal! I love it!" She got it for very little money and didn't have hardly anyone bidding against her. There it is. I wanted it to get more bids. A bid war would have been so great! That would have been such an ego boost!

This blog has become more banter than blogging. With that I think I'm going post it into cyber space and celebrate the fact that I have a business that I love. I will continue to work at it and try not to let this discourage me. I will, today, be working on ideas to develop Bloomsies and hopefully come up with something that will be pure genius and create a need for a gift that fits every time! Oh help me, I have found another hill to climb, when all I want is a window to open.

10 Marathon Moments

1) I ran my first marathon 11 months after my daughter was born, we trained everyday from the day she turned 5 weeks. At 13.1 miles I had a small break down; the thought of finishing was overwhelming and I knew I could do it.

2)It was the windiest marathon ever recorded! A girl running next to me actually fell over the rail on the side of the highway. Thankfully it wasn't a long drop, and when I stopped to help her back up she pulled out her phone and with a laugh said, "Keep going, I'm done."

3)I tweaked my knee in my second marathon. I stopped at the 16 mile medic station and actually thought about quitting. It was my slowest marathon, but the finish line was one of my finest moments.

4)Having someone at the finish line to hold you up and let you cry with relief is sometimes a necessity.

5)Running beside a barefoot guy carrying a surf board for 17 miles must have done something to my mind... we took a beer bong hit and high fived before running on and separating at 18.

6)I waited for four hours (at the end of the San Diego Rock n' Roll), after finishing my third marathon, waiting for my mom to finish her first marathon. The rest of the weekend was spent sun burned and happy!

7)Eight weeks pregnant for Honolulu, I felt inspired to be starting this marathon with a baby on board, with surprising energy.

8)With my fastest half behind me, I ran past the medic station at mile 15 and twisted my knee again in San Diego! At mile 16, I turned around and ran back to get the knee checked out. Nine minutes later I was back on the course and found the strength to finish my fifth marathon.

9)A PR! Running 27.2 miles, with a 9 minute ice break, I missed Boston Qualifier by 1 minute and 6 seconds.

10)Even after 7 marathons, it still surprises me that there is 6.2 miles left to run at the 20 mile mark!

Bloomsies in Seattle

All rested up from the first big Bloomsies launch at The Northwest Women's Show, March 5-7th, I can say that I would do it again. It was a pleasure to display my Blooms with the Ladies Who Launch and the twenty two companies who shared our space.

The women I had the privilege of rubbing elbows with (and we did rub, the space was jam packed) were both inspiring and very fun to get to know. Oh my gosh, you wouldn't believe their companies! I'm anxious to share them with you, and over the next week will be dedicating my blog to spotlight my favorites. You will love them!

As for Bloomsies. I was so nervous! Getting ready for the show I didn't know what to expect. How big was it actually going to be? How many Blooms should I take with me? How would my Bloomsies be received? Emotionally exhausted, I went in mentally prepared for almost anything.

Bloomsies were seen for the first time, by a large number of women. We handed out just over 1500 postcards and when all was said and done, the response was wonderful. I had just enough postcards, sold six bouquets at the show and have had some orders that were direct results from the show. Thank you to my friends and family who popped by to show your support. Thank you Linda Snyder and Ladies Who Launch for making it possible and affordable for me to participate. That was awesome! It was a very positive experience indeed.

Three things I'd consider to change for next time, though probably not necessary...

1)Bloomsies needs more space! They are so bulky when bunched together, maybe my own booth. (Although, then I'd miss the companionship of the girls who made it so much fun!)

2)I'd bring make-up to refresh toward mid afternoon, for those surprise photo ops! I looked tired in most of the photos taken, but the Bloomsies looked fabulous!

3)I'd get more sleep before the weekend! I was too excited to sleep!

Bloomsies adds an interesting pop to the normal gift. Imagine a bright bouquet sitting on the gift table among the pretty wrapped boxes topped with big bows. Such an amazing centerpiece! I was glad to be able to show it and am getting geared up for Snohomish in May! One can rest up but must keep on looking ahead.

Visit Bloomsies online http://www.itsbloomsies.com/

Visit Ladies Who Launce online www.ladieswholaunch.com

The Big Show

Tonight I am getting ready for the Northwest Women's Show. It will be Bloomsies first big show. I am hoping it will go well, and out of it, wish to get some good feedback regarding Bloomsies. Hopefully some questions will be answered and I can use this as a stepping stone up to the next level in building my business.

If they get answered, it will happen over the next few days. For now, I am dreaming big (as I always do) and while I roll my little rosebuds, create bouquets of Bloomsie blossoms & color in their contents, I am really trying to decide what to wear!

Hope to see you there!

Get more info on the Events page on Bloomsies website: http://www.itsbloomsies.com/

To Dream in a Dress

Checking out the latest and greatest in weddings from my favorite websites over the past week, I've come across a collection of gowns inspired by the new Alice in Wonderland movie. Is it Wonderland or simply just Wonderful?! Either way , I have fallen head over heals, like Alice! The most fabulous part... you don't have to fall in a hole or even wait to get married to wear the look.

Designer Sue Wong designs beautiful gowns for all affairs. A cross between the simplicity that is Vera Wang's and Betsy Johnson's unique flair, I can't imagine anyone not feeling incredible while waltzing around in one of these pretty creations. They have style, lace, feathers, crystals, and more... ahhhhh! A dream!

You can find Sue Wong designs at www.suewong.com or in two of my favorite stores: Neiman Marcus & Nordstrom... (just to name a couple).

Network Me to the Top Scotty

Everyday I join thousands of other women building their businesses. We sit in front of our computers, checking facebook, tweeting, blogging, talking to people all day long. Working that social network. We network.

Most entrepreneurs are part of networking groups. They are everywhere, simply peers wanting to help. We ask so many questions. Which group fits me? Can they help me decide which trade show I should buy into? When should I try to grow? Who should I listen to? What advice should I take? Millions of questions. Will I know the answers? We all have the same questions. The biggest one may be, "Is today the day?"

Is today the day for what?

The big payoff! The day when all of the hard work finally collides with the break of a lifetime. When opportunity finally meets reality and you realize that this brilliant idea is going to finally take off! What are the statistics of that happening?!

There are thousands of how-to books written on succeeding in business. They offer chapters of inspiration. Follow these steps and you can make it too. Create your brand. People will want what you have to offer. Have the winners attitude. You are your best advertisement. You have something that somebody wants, needs, and can't live without. Open their eyes to it!

I've read these books. I have. Not nearly all of them, but enough of them. I've found them to be a bunch of words that motivate me to try. They don't necessarily have exact steps to follow. There isn't a handbook for how you will succeed. Though most of them almost guarantee that you will... if you buy the book. Well, I have bought the book. And as I've said, I have read the book. I've applied my new found knowledge from the book. What do I do now? Wait? Take more risks? Try harder?

We go into this venture with our eyes wide open. With business plans in hand, quickbooks downloaded, and our business licenses hanging on our cork boards. We believe in our ideas. We put ourselves out there and mercilessly facebook our companies in our friends faces! Completely hoping that they won't get tired of it and will spread the seed to their friends and family, and then word of mouth will grow. Like a flower. Like a Bloomsies (that was a plug). This is not as easy as it may seem, pride does get in the way sometimes. Most of us have knots in the pits of our stomachs when we are promoting our goods. We want everyone to believe in them as much as we do.

Everyday I join thousands of women as we work to build our businesses. Is it a gamble? Will this networking thing work for me? The hopes are high for a positive answer to this question. Maybe success is in the stars for me, and if is... I will do two things: 1) continue to be part of networking groups, and 2) continue to work hard. Well, and maybe I'll write a book too!

http://www.itsbloomsies.com/

It is exhausting, but I'm not complaining!

I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog. I've been busy with my kids and with Bloomsies. At the end of the day, sitting down to type my thoughts has been close to impossible. My eyes are usually closed!

Especially with the kids reading to me at night! It relaxes me. I'll crawl in one of their beds, snuggle in next to a warm body, and then wake up at 3:00 a.m. only to wander back into mine and finish my sleep. It is not a cycle I am particularly proud of, but I admit, it doesn't really bother me much. They won't be this small much longer. Calli is ten. Nathan is seven. We won't fit into a twin together for many more years. Right now I am glad they want me there. They read to me, I rub their backs and my mind focuses on something other than the biz. Its good. Little voices can be very soothing.

Back to my Bloomsies. My other time consuming baby. I am happy to report that it is growing. My website has been launched. You should visit it! http://www.itsbloomsies.com/. I've become involved with two groups, Ladies Who Launch and the Snohomish Wedding Guild. Both have already opened doors for Bloomsies that I can't wait to jump through and see where they lead. I've also chosen to show off my blooms at a couple of trade shows coming up. I'll be part of the Ladies Who Launch booth at The Seattle Women's Show (the first weekend of March), in Snohomish on May 15th, and at the Seattle Home and Gift Show in August. (Wow, I need a Bloomsies event page added to my website!) To top it off, if this doesn't sound busy enough, the Bloomsies have actually been selling.! Its great! Exciting and scary at the same time, but I've got support all around me, and I am ready!

With that, I will continue to pull a couple of all-nighters during the week. I will sit at the computer facebooking and twittering, think on my daily run, and talk about Bloomsies until everyone has heard of them. I will. No matter how tired I get. It isn't the easiest road, choosing your own business, but its the road I'm taking. Abraham Lincoln once said, "I am successful because a friend believed in me and I didn't want to let him down." I love this quote. It is not a bad thing to find your drive through the cheers from the people who love you. Athletes do it all the time. So, it may seem like a long time between some blogs, but I guarantee that I will be back to update as regularly as I can. Who knew it'd be so exhausting!