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!