Small Business WILL save our economy. The first step is to rethink our buying habits. Skip the big box stores and head on into your local mom and pop. Buy from fellow WAHMs. If it says "Made in China" you don't need it. WE ARE THE CHANGE!

You CAN Own a Million Dollar Business!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Fantastic Friday: 10 Year Anniversay

August marks the ten year anniversay of my company, Wood Designs, Inc.! Under our brand Shaka Studios, we handcraft fine custom furniture using a traditional Early American construction philosophy.

As a special gift to our SuperWAHMz readers, I'd like to offer 20% off your internet purchase when placed using this link before August 3o, 2008.

Have a fantastic Friday!
Kandas

Talk about it Tuesday

I would like to talk about the Pink elephant sitting right smack dab in the middle of my house. It is called the Economy. Conversations have been taking place in various business groups I belong to about the economy and how it is affecting our business's. Being an embroidery business, something most people don't need very often, some never, is tough in the economy today. I have seen my business slow down to a stop. Looking for an outside job is hard to do since I have been working at home for 16 years AND there aren't any jobs to be had anyway. There are so many people out of work.
We have been discussing the fact that we have given up any trips this summer just to put gas in the cars. This is not a happy subject in my house because our grandkids live in CA and we are in AZ.
So.... what have you given up just to make ends meet. What are your priorities??
Maybe your business is doing really well. I would love to hear about it and how you keep things going in the economy of today.
A while back we had the discussion about Made in America. It is interesting how the two subjects have overlapped. I don't know if we can have a survey on this blog but I would find it interesting to know, how do you choose a product. Price or ??
I had a dream once to produce Heirloom products that could be handed down to family members. I am seeing that dream fade away. Not only because of the economy but because it seems that some people don't care so much any more about passing down family heirlooms. I find that so interesting.
hhmmm I gues I have chosen a couple things to Talk about Today. It will be good to hear your opinions.

Thankful Thursday

on Friday.
oops. I guess I am loosing a day here and there :) I have so much going on right now. I am still fighting this summer cold. Just about nothing worse than a summer cold.
I am trying to go through overstock of apparel. My business took a different turn when we moved to Arizona and I will not be using all these tees now so might as well sell them.
I am working on Christmas ideas. These are my first 2 projects. I will embroider them on kids sweatshirts and personalization will be FREE. I would love to do a Christmas in July sale so we will see how that goes.
Today though, as always, I would love to tell you all that I am sooooo Thankful to live in this great country of ours. I feel so blessed to have been born here. AND also as always, I am so thankful for your friendships. In business and personal areas of my life I cherish you all.













In honor of my love for our country I have come up with this little decorative hand towel.
I use mine as decoration only on my kitchen stove. I have given it as gifts and some use the towel others choose to use it as a decoration. Either way I think it is a lovely addition to your kitchen or bathroom.

Talk About It Tuesday

I haven't seen the other ladies posts yet, so I don't know if there is going to be a theme this week. However, Lynn talked about her softball piggies... which made me think of watching sports... which led to plasma TVs... which of course resulted in today's talk about it topic: custom made plasma TV stands.

The nice thing about a custom TV stand is that you get to choose everything about it, from the height to the color to the hardware. Unlike when you visit a furniture store, what you see is NOT what you get. When you purchase custom furniture, you get exactly what you want.

The TV stand pictured is 55" wide with 2 sets of doors in a black on java prim finish. It features a component cubbie and a shelf behind each set of doors.

Here is what you need to know before you order your custom TV stand:

• Height x Width x Depth of TV.


• H x W x D of the largest component (usually the stereo receiver) and smallest component.


• Maximum H x W x D of overall unit. (Measure your wall.)


• Number of shelves and drawers needed.


• Additional features needed. For example, a pull out shelf for your turntable.


• Wood, glass,mesh or no doors?


• If the unit will have doors, does it need a component cubbie?

Other things you will need to decide on:

• Type of wood? Pine, Maple, Oak, Cherry, Tiger Maple, Exotic


• Finish Type & Color (Some wood species, like Tiger Maple, need to be dyed. Others can be stained or painted.)


• Hardware

Have fun shopping for your new TV and contact Shaka Studios when you are ready to design your custom TV stand!

Cheaper Gas or America's Revenge?

From Shaka Studios: Compelling Reasons to Buy Custom Furniture

"There is a better way to purchase furniture that is better for the environment, better for our local economy, allows you to get exactly the furniture you want, and most importantly, gives you a better value for you dollar. How? Work with a local custom furniture craftsman. "

Read more: Shaka Studios: It's a Bargain: Compelling Reasons to Buy Custom Furniture

Input Needed - Why Buy American?

I am writing a speech for Toastmasters that I am giving Thursday, June 12th. Oh my! Where did the time go? I need your honest input. Give me your best reasons for buying American made products, rather than imports. What reasons really compell you to choose American over the imports?

I am off to a yoga clinic this morning. I'll be back around noon and expect my inbox to be filled with lots of inspiring comments so I can wrap up this speech and start practicing it!