21st Century :)

Here I come, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century LOLOL
I need to work on my website.
I think it is about time I learn how to do that myself and
maybe take a class or two on search engines and how they work.
I need to learn how to blog more efficiently and
I need to learn how to tweet LOL
OH.... and I need to make a newsletter.
Not much to learn there. Maybe I CAN teach this OLD dog some new tricks.
I think I might be looking forward to the challenge.

Social Media - I'm all in a "twitter"!

So, I created a Twitter account a few weeks ago. I haven't been back to it since. Don't have time for the "learning curve". UGH! I need another something on my "to-do" list. I love new stuff and want to be part of it, just don't know how anyone finds the time to do it. Is it just me?

I have a personal facebook page and a professional facebook page AND a comfycozy.com page. Trying to keep my ducks in a row, my personal and professional life separate and use social media to promote comfycozy.com

Anyway, I saw this article - ok, it was posted on my Facebook page from a "friend". It's my kind of article. Short, sweet paragraphs with specific topics, no long seminar, e-class or verbage that is over my head!

I may be Tweeting sooner than I thought! I'd give you my twitter account to follow me, but I don't know how to do that YET!

Hope you get something out of the article too:) Click HERE to read it.

Dreamers into Doers

Last summer I joined a group on the Martha Stewart web site called Dreamers into Doers.

It's a terrific group of women, just like me that have started their own businesses, are following their dreams and doing something they are passionate about. Recently, we've started a "headlines" area where we post all the events, pr, product releases, etc that happen to us. It's incredible to see some of the amazing things these women are up to.

I'm delighted to be part of the group. Comfy Cozy will be donating inspiring pillowcases to one of our members organization, Enchanted Makeovers. The organization is like the "extreme makeover" for women's shelters.

Below is the list of our latest events and accomplishments:

Across the pond, you'll find Editor Queen Lena, and staff do a remarkable job offering up all things vintage, from Home Furnishings and Decor to Gossip, Fashion and the latest News. WATCH This Magazine soar!

http://www.queensofvintage.com/vintage-queen-jolene/3

Peggy Gaffney... your blog was tremendous! http://kanineknits.blogspot.com.
Peggy Shaffer Vincent...your pillow cases! Amazinghttp://www.comfycozy.com
Terry Grahl...Great Article about The Recipe of Hope on the following Blog!http://blog.thevintageworkshop.com/

Dawyna Claryn-Your Music Rocks http://www.EarthDaySong.com/
Brenda Foehrkolb - Brenda Star Studios and the fantastic Art Show was a must see!
Meilie Moy-Hodnet-A fantastic Product http://www.bigstickcanes.com
Bea Kuntz-Spring is in Bloom at http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
Eileen Smith Dallabrida-Keep up the reporting Genius!
Lisa Oliver?-What a Dream Project http://www.lostmylovey.com/
Keren Brown-Keep the Passion Alive http://www.foodportunity.com/ andhttp://www.franticfoodie.com/
Rachel Gaffney-Selling Fine Irish Linen and Keeping The Passion of Great Food and Ireland Stronghttp://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/mar/13/irish-food/
Kim McCool-Porcelain portraits and limoges of the finest caliberwww.kimmccool.com/
Kathy Hammer-Tasteful and Tasty Fine WV Salsa!http://www.msmollyssalsa.com/
Taryn Sisco goes Green For Spring - http://poppychic.blogspot.com/ (Don't miss it!)
Check out this Site! Endearingly Wonderful Mary Richey!http://www.wallberries.com/
Jean Roth-Keep the Images and Stories Rollinghttp://www.rotemdesignstudio.com -- and -- http://www.rotemgear.com
Jennifer-"Oh Fancy Girl"-Be Fancy!http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/business_people/show_profile.php?profile_id=4668
Debbie Maddy-HOW PROUD ARE WE fellow DID?http://www.hgtv.com/videos/innovative-shining-star-quilt/6652.html
Annette Fry-This is well worth a second READ!
http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/pets/treat_tricks_DPcETCmbr2mREQqbgHFd8L
Bridget Mack-Go Ministries is on the GO...
Victoria Silva- http://feminineliving.com (What's not to like here ;) )! Bring it on!
Carolina Martin- (new Grandson and All) http://www.artonwheels.us
Lisa Umansky-Perfect Pound Cakes! http://polkadotpoundcake.com
Karen Eyler-Keep Caligraphy Strong
Beth Shotwell Baker-With an eye to the Dreamers and Mentoring Strong-http://www.deservingdecor.org
Tina Czarnota-Ms. Author? Founder of International Bed and Breakfast Day? Keep the mystery and intrigue headed our WAY!
http://www.tinaczarnota.com

What Is Your Why?

Last week, I spent two amazing days at the American Express OPEN Women's Business Summit in Houston, Texas.  600 women attendees left recharged and armed with new knowledge to help them grow their businesses.  If you follow me on twitter, I will share some of those gems. 

The most important tool in your arsenal is your WHY.  Why do you want your business to succeed?

"According to Count Me In's 2008 research with American Express OPEN, 46 percent of women business owners want to grow their business to help themselves and their families; 48 percent want to gorw their businesses to help their community and the world" - from Nell Merlino's book Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work

I want my business to be successful because I have a troop of 24 Girl Scouts in grades Kindergarten through 5th from a variety of walks of life.  I have noticed that some of the older girls already have low self-esteem.  They need to see me acheive my dreams so that they know they can have, do or be anything they want! 

These girls have inspired me to go out on some serious limbs to acheive my dreams.  Last week I actually strutted my stuff as a Gayla Bentley fashion show model!  Being IN a fashion show has been on my "bucket list" since High School!

What's YOUR reason??  I invite you to post your why in the comments.  Declaring your why increases your chances of success.  Go ahead!  Tell the world why you want your business to succeed!

Integrity

Every month I am asked to paint a piggy bank with a sports logo, college mascot or cartoon character.  Every month I say no. 

Why?  Because these images are copyrighted and I do not have the license to reproduce them.  It is illegal for these images to be sold on unlicensed items, and I could be sued.

My piggy banks would look so cute painted as various NFL helmets, and I could make a lot of money painting these.  I have to admit it is tempting.  But, it is not worth the chance of losing my business.  The business I have worked so hard at for over 20 years.

It baffles me the number of sellers on the web and etsy who do paint licensed characters and logos.  It is illegal.  Yet they continue to do so.  To me, it is unethical.  

Whether or not a customer begs you to paint a licensed image is beside the point.  It is against the law and you should have the integrity to tell the customer that.   

Is an easy buck worth the chance of a lawsuit?  For me, it's not.

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDE

Last week I created a Facebook page for Comfy Cozy. Now, I'm trying to learn how to use it effectively to build business, gain customers without offending anyone. Tall order. I received an email from Inc. magazine this morning with loads of information. Check it out:

inc.com or

http://www.inc.com/business-owner-social-media-tool-kit/index.html?partner=newsletter_Success

In the meantime, drop by the Comfy Cozy Facebook page and become a fan! When you do, I'll send you a special Code for Buy One Get One FREE pillowcase:)

comfycozy.com is looking forward to a GREAT year - join us!

Weekends

I try not to work on weekends.  But I usually do.

We seldom have weekend plans, and I actually like to paint, so I, more often than not, find myself sitting at the kitchen table working.

Once in a while I think maybe I should find a hobby.  Knitting or something.....then I remind myself that I do like to paint, and I am lucky to be able to make money at what once was my hobby.  And so I go back to work.

I really could use a good book to read, but I haven't taken time to go to the library and browse.

Not a big movie watcher.  I really don't do anything to de-stress...

And I wonder why I start to feel burnt out.....maybe I should take some time to myself, huh?

Finally....

After a really busy holiday season, and weeks spent catching up on orders, I am finally working on orders that were placed in January.  Yay!

I am finally just about caught up.  Well, caught up in the sense that orders are shipping about 2 weeks after being placed.  And that's not too bad for hand painted to order items.

I saw a shop on etsy that has an 8-12 week turn around time!  Holy cow!  That is totally unacceptable.  Waiting 3 months for an order?  And yet they get orders.....

I start to stress when I am 3 weeks behind.   Anyway, I am getting caught up and have a few new ideas I want to paint.  So, when I have some time, I'll paint something new and get those creative juices flowing again.  Stay tuned...

Facebook & Twitter for your business

Please don't read this expecting advice on using Facebook and Twitter for your business.  I have none.  Not one iota.  I am writing because I don't get the whole social networking thing in connection to business.

I have a facebook page.  I haven't visited it in months.  I don't have time.  And I hear you can have a facebook business page, but I don't have time for that either.  Since I can't type well, I haven't even looked at Twitter.

I understand that you need to network to build business.  I guess that pertains to some businesses.  But as a one mom business who hand crafts her product, I do not see how it applies to me.  I spend most of my time painting, and packing, and various other business related tasks, where do I find time to Facebook or Twitter?

I am not bashing either network.....I am just trying to understand.  Is it because I am already busy with my piggy banks, that I don't have time or need for them?  Am I just behind the times and don't get it?  Am I missing out because I am busy painting?  Am I just Twitterilliterate?  Or Facebookphobic?

Someone enlighten me.....I don't want the world to pass me by.

I'm Back....I Think

Haven't posted here in eons....kept meaning too, but life got in the way.

Had a super busy holiday season.  Man oh man, it was scary.  Mostly because I got the majority of my porders the LAST day I was taking them for Christmas delivery.  Up until then, I was comfortably 2 weeks behind.  Then, on December 1st I recieved 23 new orders....that is a new record for me and my website.

I think I am finally getting caught up again.....it's been a long few weeks.  I feel like I am working ALL the time.  And I am getting tired of it.  Hopefully I am getting to where I am caught up and can take my weekends off again.  I miss the down time.....

This week has been one of those weeks.  I ordered some new piggy bank molds...they came on monday.  The boxes are huge and heavy.  This time, the boxes looked like they had been broken open and smashed.  So I took some pictures.  Then we opened them.

It looked like the boxes had been broken open, the contents droped in the mud, rolled in the dirt and then just tossed back in the box.  I took more pictures.

I emailed the guy I get the molds from and told him it looked like ups had a problem with the shipment.  For as dirty and disgusting as the molds were, they actually survived the ordeal intact.  But would require a good bit of cleaning up.

He wrote back and apologized, but HE had packed them that way.  He was out of styrofoam peanuts, and that was all he had.  The peanuts looked like they had been dug up out of the ground.  Really.  *sigh*

So I haven't written back yet.  I don't know what to say.  I am flabbergasted that he would send anything like that.  Yes, the molds are fine, but it took me over an hour to clean them up and get them ready for use.

My hands are tied....he has my master molds and I cannot get new molds anywhere else : (   I'm not really mad.....disappointed I guess.  We've done business together for years now and I can't believe he sent my stuff like that.  He could have at least let me know what was coming.  Or asked if I minded waiting for packing materials to come in.  I was in NO HURRY.

I don't know.....I am tired.  Tired of dealing with my business for now.  I think I need a vacation.  Or at least SOMETHING to look forward to......