Interview with Lisa Steadman -  Author of  It’s a Breakup, Not a Breakdown

Q: What is your name? Lisa Steadman

Q: Company name and website? My company name is Woohoo, Inc. and my site is LisaSteadman.com.

Q: What is the name of your new book? It’s a Breakup, Not a Breakdown Workbook: A 21-Day Action Plan to Plot Your Revenge, Spoil Yourself, and Find Out How Good Your Life Is Without Him

Q: Who or what was the inspiration behind becoming a writer? I’ve always been a writer, since I was a kid. It started with a love of storytelling, which I think was the reason I became fascinated with relationships and eventually became a relationship coach. Relationships are the most interesting stories to me.

Q: How do you cope with being alone a lot of the time?
I use voice software so it’s kind of like having an ongoing conversation with myself all day. I’m also lucky because my husband works from home, too, so when I need a break and someone to talk to, I just knock on his office door. Plus, I have many solopreneur friends and we make time out of our busy schedules to have lunch, meet for coffee, or just have a quick phone call to check in with each other.

Q: What do you do to stimulate new ideas and keep your creativity flowing?
Honestly, I don’t have time to NOT be inspired or creative. Writers’ block is a luxury I haven’t afforded in years. Having said that, the best way for me to keep the juices flowing is to start my day by going for a hike. Something about moving my body and connecting to nature really gets me going. And I take plenty of breaks throughout the day so I don’t feel drained or over-worked.

Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them?
A few years ago, I developed tendonitis in my arms. It was an occupational hazard that could have sidelined my career. But I don’t believe in giving up so I found a new way to work using voice software. Now, I can actually write faster!

When I was first shopping around my book idea, I got a lot of rejection. That was disheartening. I’m glad I didn’t give up when I wanted to. The no’s eventually came less frequently, and the yes’s more easily.

Lately, looming deadlines have been my greatest obstacle. I’ve written 2 books back to back, with only a break for a honeymoon in between. My coaching practice is full-on, AND I’m in the process of re-launching my website. So time management is my greatest challenge these days. It’s an ongoing ebb and flow of mastery.

Q: Do you ever feel like giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going?
Yes! When my publisher is non-responsive or I struggle to get clients or the writing feels stale, I think about giving up. But this is my passion and what I’m meant to do with my life. So it doesn’t last very long. I’m lucky that I’m very self directed and positive.

Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur?
Time management and the ability to self direct are essential. And having family or friends to support you when the going gets tough. Also, understanding that you can’t do it all on your own and may need to invest in a team. That was a major moment of clarity for me. Now I have an incredible assistant and web developer who support my business.

Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, mentor, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success?
Surrounding myself with forward-thinking people, either through a coach or coaching program, mastermind group, networking group, etc. As a female entrepreneur, we cannot succeed as an island. I learned a long time ago to embrace my community!

Q: What was the worst advice someone gave you?
When my first book came out, I had two website redesign quotes for $10,000. I’m so glad I didn’t actually spend that kind of money! My husband is my tech guru and we relaunched my site for less than $500. That was based on his GOOD advice.

I’ve had people who tried to convince me that a stable day job was a wiser career choice, but after working for myself, I just can’t imagine going back to work for someone else.

Q: What are your business or personal goals for the next year?
Taking a relaxing vacation is high on the list right now. Hopefully in September I’ll go to Montana or Costa Rica for a month of R & R. As for business goals, to double my income from last year, build my coaching practice, continue promoting my new book, and have a successful launch of Book #3, due in bookstores late 2009/2010.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about writing a book?
Don’t listen to the naysayers. If you’re passionate, do it. Follow the voice inside that says This is the way to your dream life. Believe in your dreams and take action every day to move forward.  If traditional publishing doesn’t work out, e-publish or self publish. Don’t take no for an answer!

Q: is there anything else you wish I had asked?
No.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Article By Sarah Shaw | Entreprenette

I have been knee deep in my new 26-week Entreprenette course for the past few weeks and am so inspired by the projects these women are bringing to the world.  And to top this off, I feel like every time I open a magazine or the newspaper these days there’s an article about someone FINALLY taking the steps to launch their “big idea”.  I feel totally surrounded by innovation and creativity.
Do you get as excited as I do when you hear people talking about their ideas?   When I hear ideas, my mind starts to whirl, I start to visualize and get these amazing colorful pictures. I start to see the item in stores, magazines and even on people or in a house.  Sometimes I have to bite my tongue to keep from overwhelming them with my ideas about how they can get started and manufacture it, market it, package it, and get PR……..my mind just starts ticking and I want to teach them everything I know! I have a very photographic mind and when ideas start flowing I can “see” them very quickly  - it has been a very useful tool for me over the years – especially with designing my own line.

Did you know that during the great depression the ideas for the
Twinkie, Monopoly and the Photocopier were born?

What will this recession be remembered for?
What will be created today, tomorrow and the next day?
Will you be one of the innovators mentioned in greatness?
What are you waiting for?
This is the time to launch that idea you’ve been sitting on for years.
Don’t’ let someone else beat you to it.
Did you know:

• Inventors groups have doubled in size.
• Patent filings are going up each day for individuals, while going down for large corporations who are cutting back.
• Licensing companies phones are ringing off the hook.

I read this article in the LA Times about students from The Pratt  Institute in NY who were challenged to create their “big idea” for $1.  How can that be done you wonder? Well I wondered as well and was so impressed by their ingenuity and drive to create interesting products for $1 or less.
You can do it too!
Now is the time to get moving and create that prototype you’ve been dreaming about.
What are you waiting for?
Go ahead – take the $1 challenge.  What can you find, borrow, or get to make this happen?
Start at home – make a prototype with anything on hand.  Use clay, paper, wire, socks, bed sheets, whatever will be easiest for you.  Glue it, staple it, bake it.  Visit the hardware store for more unusual items needed.  Ask friends, a handyman, even your husband, dad, brother, mother, sister, wife or significant other for help if they‘re handy.
OK how does it look?
Let us know – we want to support you.

Popularity: 33% [?]

Posted by Sarah Shaw | Entreprenette | Simply Sarah

I am so excited! I was interviewed on the MS. CEO Radio show earlier this week.
If you want to learn how I launched my first handbag line and got tons of press for myself then tune in to Build it with Buzz.

Popularity: 44% [?]

Interview with Marty Stevens-Heebner  - Creator of Rebagz eco- chic handbags

Q: What is your name? Marty Stevens-Heebner

Q: Company name and website? I have three companies.
Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbags
Half the Sky Designs LLC
Altered Shoes

Q: We launched in: July 2007

Q: What is your business or what do you sell?
Rebagz™ Eco-Chic Handbags are made from colorful hand woven recycled juice packs and recycled rice sacks with vibrant graphics already printed on them.  We’re human-friendly as well as eco-friendly because all our bags are made under fair trade conditions.

Q: Who or what was the inspiration behind your company?
My interest in eco-design and fair working conditions dates back to my human rights work in Chiapas, Mexico amid the aftermath of the Zapatista rebellion. I was amazed by the inventiveness of the artisans in Chiapas, who lacked resources but more than made up for that with their originality and flare.

Q: How did you get started?
Prior to launching my handbag line, I had a small but successful business creating original handcrafted jewelry.  By the fall of 2006, I decided it was time to create an accessories line that would appeal to a broad market, and that’s when I decided to go into handbag design.

Q: How long before your business was profitable, or when is it projected to become profitable? Let’s just say the economic crisis affected our ability to be completely and consistently profitable.

Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them?
The economic crisis!  That and time management.  We’re a small company and there are so many different hats I have to wear, especially with my book Altered Shoes coming out a few months ago.

Q: Do you ever feel like giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going?
What entrepreneur doesn’t get frustrated?  But I’ve always been a problem solver, and believe that there are always opportunities in any problem.  I also love what I do!

Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur? All of the above!  I also think it’s important to be very people-friendly because things like customer service can make or break you.

Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, mentor, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success? My publicist Lisa Elia – LisaEliaPR.com and ClearPublicist.com – has been instrumental in getting the word out about us.  Thanks to her, we’ve been featured in dozens of magazines and newspapers.  Not only does this generate buzz, but it also helped us indirectly as well.  The most obvious example is that one small article in a trade publication was read by the person who then became our QVC liaison.

Press is vital!  And Lisa’s one of the best.  The great thing is she teaches you how to do it on your own through ClearPublicist.com!

Q: What was the worst advice someone gave you?
Being told I needed to be in showrooms all over the country.  It’s incredibly expensive to position yourself that way, and there’s no guarantee they’ll really make the effort to sell your product.  I’m very picky about what sales reps I’ll work with because you really need to make sure you’re working with people who have a strong work ethic and enjoy their work.  That’s the trick!

Q: What are your business or personal goals for the next year?
To vastly expand our internet presence, plus I’ll be launching my consulting business via ManufacturingTheRightWay.com.  I want to help entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes I made, so I can save them massive amounts of time and money in the manufacturing process.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship? Now’s a great time to do it!   The economy’s beginning to show signs of life again, and as people start spending again, you’ll be ready to take advantage.

Q: is there anything else you wish I had asked?
I’m just so flattered you asked in the first place!  Thanks very much for the opportunity.

I will add this: I think it’s becoming increasingly important to make sure that the people who make your product are doing so under fair and decent conditions.  Also the whole environmental movement seems to (finally!) be here to stay.  I hope that being eco-friendly and human-friendly becomes the norm rather than a niche in 10 years or so……….so why not just start off working that way?

Popularity: 47% [?]

Guest post by Sally Sampson - Author, Cookbook Writer, Mother

Father’s Day arrived just a few weeks after my husband and I separated. I wasn’t quite ready to cut the strings as far as my children were concerned so I invited him over for a Father’s Day dinner with his favorite foods. I planned on grilling and as luck would have it, there was a torrential downpour. I schlepped the extra grill, a small Smokey Joe, to the floor of the covered front porch and squatted down so that I was at grill level, turning the ribs just so and brushing them just so and all of a sudden I started to laugh and laugh at what I was doing: my soon-to-be ex inside, dry and warm, surrounded by our cute and adoring children, who were handing him chips coated with guacamole and me outside, alone, listening to the pelting rain, working so hard. Although I cared that the meal was delicious- and it was- my chief concern was that our children didn’t have to deal with the fallout from our problems but instead got to honor, pamper and love their father, which is, after all, the point of Fathers Day. 

One of the nicest things about this menu, other than pure deliciousness, is that the ingredients can all be purchased and prepped 3- 5 days ahead: let the avocadoes ripen, make the Slaw dressing, the rib glaze and the pie dough. Bake the ribs 2 days ahead and make the pie the day before. Viola! Father’s Day will be the breeze you need it to be……………
Guacamole (adapted from From Warehouse to Your House, Simon and Schuster, 2007)

The most important element in great guacamole is the avocadoes, which must be perfectly ripe: they should be supple and yield just slightly when you touch them. Since it’s rare to find them in this condition be sure to buy avocadoes at least 3- 5 days before the big day. To accelerate the ripening process, place the avocado in a paper bag with an apple. If it’s already ripe enough, simply refrigerate it; it won’t continue to ripen in the fridge.

Guacamole can be made a few hours ahead: cover tightly with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic comes in contact with the guacamole. This will prevent it from turning brown.

Yield: about 2 ½-cups

3 perfectly ripe avocadoes, peeled, pitted and coarsely chopped
1 small beefsteak tomato, coarsely chopped
3- 4 scallions, washed, roots and tops trimmed, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus additional for garnish
1/2-teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ -teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
¼- ½ jalapeno pepper or chipotle chile, finely minced (optional)
Tortilla chips

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and toss gently to mix. Do not over-mix, the guacamole should be somewhat chunky.

Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately or place plastic wrap directly on top and refrigerate up to eight hours. Serve garnished with the cilantro sprigs and Tortilla Chips.

Glazed Baby Back Ribs (adapted from The Fifty Dollar Dinner Party, Simon and Schuster, 1998)

Serves 6

For the glaze:
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon five spice powder (optional)
1 teaspoon chopped gingerroot
½- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ cup hoisin sauce
¼ cup plum sauce
¼ cup oyster sauce
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup sherry vinegar

3 racks baby back ribs (about 2 – 2 ½ pounds each)

1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ bunch scallions, chopped, for garnish
¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish

To make the glaze: Place the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.

Place the ribs in a large baking pan, transfer to the oven and bake 1 ½ hours. Drain off the fat and coat with the glaze. Cover and refrigerate at least overnight and up to three days.

To cook the ribs: Prepare a grill.
Place the ribs on the grill, sprinkle with the salt and pepper and cook, brushing with glaze from time to time, until deeply browned on both sides, 10- 15 minutes. Cut into 6 slabs, transfer to a platter and serve immediately, garnished with the scallions and cilantro.

Asian Slaw (Also from the $50 Dinner Party)
This crunchy, colorful coleslaw is a delicious change from the mayonnaise-laden American version.

Serves 6

For the dressing:
6 tablespoon seasoned rice wine vinegar
6 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 head red cabbage, shredded
2 carrots, cut into julienne
8 scallions, finely sliced

¼ cup lightly toasted sliced almonds
¼ cup lightly toasted sesame seeds

To make the dressing: Place the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
To make the slaw: Place the cabbage, carrots and scallions in a medium size bowl, toss, add the dressing and toss again. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour and up to 4. Add the almonds and sesame seeds just prior to serving.

Fresh Blueberry Pie (adapted from The BakeSale Cookbook, Simon and Schuster, 2000)

Some people will insist that this be served with vanilla ice cream but for me, this is perfect as is.

For the crust:
3 cups all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1-2 tablespoons sugar
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled or frozen, cut into small bits
4-6 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:
2 ½- 3 pints fresh blueberries, well washed
2/3 cup sugar
¼ cup all purpose flour or 3 tablespoons cornstarch
½- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

To make the crust: Place the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor and process until combined. Add the butter, bit by bit, and process until it has the consistency of coarse cornmeal. Gradually add the water and process until the dough pulls away from the sides. Divide in half and form into balls. Press down to form discs. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour and up to 1 day.

Roll out each disc into a 12 inch circle and gently place one in a 9- 9 1/2 inch pie pan.

To make the filling: Place the blueberries, sugar, flour and lemon zest, if using, in a large bowl and toss well. Place the mixture in the unbaked pie shell and cover with the top crust.

Transfer the pie to the lowest shelf in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees and cook until the fruit starts to bubble and the crust is golden brown, about an additional 30- 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Interview with Gina Flanagan of Lunch Box Cards - Creative cards to make your child giggle

Q: What is your name? Gina Flanagan

Q: Company name and website? KidsLunchBoxCards.com

Q: We launched in: March 2008

Q: What is your business or what do you sell? We manufacture and sell fun, colorful lunch cards full of interesting facts, riddles and wacky true stories to make your child giggle at lunch.

Q: Who or what was the inspiration behind your company? My daughter Leila. When she was in 2nd grade, Leila would complain about not having friends at school. During those days, when I went to kiss her goodnight, I would feel tears running down her cheeks, and

she would tell me about how she would sit alone at lunch and how humiliating it was. It felt like my heart was splitting in half, and I knew I had to do something. I had recently quit being a costume illustrator for feature films to be a stay at home mom. I started drawing fun cartoons with riddles, quizzes and true wacky stories that I knew would make her giggle, and I put them into her lunch.  The lunch cards worked so well, it changed my daughters life. Kids

would gather around her to see the card-of-the-day and try to answer the quizzes or riddles correctly. The cards sparked conversation, and now she has a huge group of friends. I also used them for my two little girls -if there was a card in their lunch- all of a sudden

mornings were easy!

Q: How did you get started? Other moms started calling asking where I got the lunch cards. I realized I might have a business so I decided to try to go to print with one set and see what would happen. I knew I would need graphics, so I asked my friend Rose to come on board. We

created test cards- to see what  kids of different ages and genders liked and didn’t like, and what size would be best. After that was accomplished, I asked my retired father (who

created Rice-A-Roni and was the president of family owned Ghirardelli

Chocolate & Golden Grain Macaroni) to be my investor, my husband Markus (an actor who plays the dad on the t.v.show “Unfabulous” )to be in charge of marketing and my very

smart brother to handle all the legal stuff!

Q: How long before your business was profitable, or when is it projected to become profitable? It may be another year before it becomes financially profitable, but emotionally it has been profitable from day 1!

Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them? I think our biggest obstacles so far have been what size to make the lunchcards, how to prepare the artwork for print, how the cards should be packaged and displayed.  We are still working out all the kinks but are moving along at each step of the way.

Q: Do you ever feel like giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going? Never. I love it and I see how happy it makes my children. It inspires me work to harder and to share it with other children.

Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur? I think the most important quality is to love what you are doing. We already have too much to do- if our work isn’t a haven, we run the risk of being miserable.

Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, mentor, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success?  I think all my years working on movies with talented Costume Designers really helped me understand success and be able to be more organized and understand deadlines.  Doing my own thing now, I have to rely on my own sources for networking and marketing. I book reviews and giveaways on mommy type blog sites.  The internet is a powerful way to market your product in a very cost effective way.

Q: What was the worst advice someone gave you? To hurry up. I rushed going to print and ended up paying a fortune in printing costs. NEVER rush, always do your research and find the best manufacturing price or your profit margin is blown and your prices become too high.

Q: What are your business or personal goals for the next year? To redesign my website and attract advertising.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship? Starting a business is time consuming. Make sure you have the time to commit to it, if you don’t, you will always feel frustrated.

Q: is there anything else you wish I had asked?

Yes. How do you market to your customers?

I created a monthly e-newsletter as a marketing tool.  I have a blast creating it. In writing it I meet moms doing amazing things, and find healthy products I would have never known about. In sharing my findings with other moms I am able to stay in contact with my customers and hope they share my product and newsletter with others.

Popularity: 31% [?]

This interview is with Merri Jill Finstrom, creator of HUTdogs - an easy-to-use website builder that is affordable and comes with excellent customer service - to which I can personally attest!

Q: What is your name? Merri Jill Finstrom

Q: Company name and website? HUTdogs, a division of Emjay Creative

Q: We launched in: 2004

Q: What is your business or what do you sell?
HUTdogs offers 3 products right now, QuickSite a web builder, QuickSqueeze, a squeeze page maker and BYOL (bring your own laptop) workshops.

Q: Who or what was the inspiration behind your company?
HUTdogs stems from a graphic design business, Emjay Creative, that I started about 11 years ago. With Emjay Creative, we provide strategic design solutions for a variety of clients, marketing collateral, newsletters, annual reports, sophisticated web sites and direct mail.  Over the years a lot of people have asked if we could create a web site or internet solution for under $500. So we came up with HUTdogs. Our main goal with HUTdogs is to provide affordable on-line tools and solutions that are easy for us to deliver (everything is in a system or group delivered) and provide the quality of service and tool that we use for our higher end web client but scaled down a bit to meet the demand for affordability (under $500).

Q: How did you get started?
I worked in the marketing department for the American Red Cross as their creative services manager for 10 years. During that time I did a bit of freelancing and got a taste for being my own boss. I then took a part time job and cut in pay for a hospital and asked if I could work from home 30 hours a week. They said yes! This allowed me the time and flexibility to take on a couple clients and build my business. Word of mouth spread fast and within 2 years, I went out on my own, keeping the hospital and the Red Cross as clients. They were valued networks as well and still give me referrals and work to this day!

Q: How long before your business was profitable, or when is it projected to become profitable? My income tripled once I took the risk to leave my job. I had enough clients lined up who like working with me so it was easy. I’ve never looked back. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I know that I have much more job security in my own business and can make more money than any job can offer.

Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them? There are little obstacles everyday. But I know they come with the territory of having your own business and as you get seasoned you don’t take them personally, you just problem solve and move on.

Q: Do you ever feel like giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going? I never feel like giving up because I really love what I do. I’m blessed to be able to make money in a creative way. The thought of working in a 9-5 job with a boss and the office culture absolutely gives me a panic attack.

Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur? Where do I begin? I talk to a lot of people who want to start a business. From my point of view, you either have what it takes or you don’t. Sounds brutal, but I meet so many people who sit on their ideas and never do them. You have to have a good attitude and think in a powerful positive way about everything. You have to be able to put yourself out there, keep talking about your ideas, and not get wrapped up in perfection… just do it and see what happens. Then adjust along the way. Keep trying new things.  Take some advice but in the end be strong enough to trust your own instincts. Yes, time management is important but that’s secondary. The best entrepreneurs I know are people who make quick decisions and constantly move forward.  This skill creates time management.

Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, mentor, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success? Other positive entrepreneurs. I love to talk to them, brainstorm with them and spin with ideas.

Q: What was the worst advice someone gave you? I can’t remember.

Q: What are your business or personal goals for the next year? I want everything in a solid automated system. We are building a club that I want to grow into something extraordinary. We find there is power in bringing people together to talk about modern concepts but in an old fashioned way.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship? JUST DO IT! Trust your instincts, make sure it is something you really love doing then ask for what you need. When I started my business, I asked for a flexible work situation. I asked for customers. I keep asking for what I need.  Be flexible. Know that things unfold in business that you may not have expected. Have an attitude of “experience is what you get, when you don’t get what you want.”

Q: is there anything else you wish I had asked?
Yes, How has motherhood made you a better entrepreneur?
Being a mom has made me more organized and a master at time management. Having my own business and a small child to care for is a balancing act but it has forced me to learn the art of being present in the moment….when I’m working, I focus, make faster decisions and move forward so that when I’m with my daughter, I can really focus on her and “be present” in our time together.  It also helps me stay creative in my work. Watching her discover new things that I’ve taken for granted gives me so much more perspective and this translates into everything I do in my business and creatively.

Popularity: 23% [?]

To purchase a Handy Hold All go to Simply Sarah.
Use coupon code MOMPRENETTE for FREE shipping.

1. Organize your handbags.
The Handy Hold All is the perfect solution to keeping your closet neat and your handbags looking like new!

2. Clean up your hubby’s baseball caps.
Are baseball caps scattered all around your house? Now you can put them all in one area. And the next time he asks where is favorite cap is you will actually know!

3. Coat Closet Boredom?
The next time guests walk in your front door and you offer to take their bag and coat, you will impress them with your super organized and cute coat closet!

4. Hang up your favorite scarves.
Keep your favorite scarves from getting wrinkled or lost by hanging them up on The Handy Hold All.

5. Dorm Room Disasters?
No more! Keeping small dorm rooms organized and cheery is always a challenge. Not any longer! Make sure to send one in your next care package!

6. Tight on Closet Space in the Guest Room?
Hang a Handy Hold All on the back of your guest door and slip some hangers through the loops and Voila! An instant closet!

7. Are Bulky Winter Jackets Taking Up Excess Space in Your Closet?
Solution, hang The Handy Hold All up in your attic, slip some hangers through the loops and add your winter jackets/coats. Now go shopping for some new spring/summer clothes to fill up all your new found closet space!

8. Too Many Necklaces? Too Little Time?
Let The Handy Hold All help you out! Collect all your necklaces around the house and hang them up. Problem Solved! Now get back to what you were doing!

9. Baby Bags and Packs Weighing You Down?
Pick a bright fun Handy Hold All that your baby will enjoy looking at and hang all your baby bags on back of your baby’s room door.

10. Gifts!!  Gifts!! Gifts!!
*Need a last minute hostess gift?
*Know a High School Grad going to College and need the perfect Gift?
*In a bind because it’s your friend’s birthday and she already has everything?
*Still searching for that perfect anytime gift?

The Handy Hold All comes in a box with a over the door hook making it the perfect instant gift!

Popularity: 24% [?]

Article by Sarah Shaw | Entreprenette
Sarah teaches people how to take their “big idea” and turn it into a bankable tangible product.

When I received an email from Martha Stewart about the third annual Dreamers into Doers contest, it really got me thinking about all the things we - me and you - dream about our lives.  Everyone has dreams, hopes and desires; but do we act on them or wait for them to happen to us? I have been a doer my whole life and have realized lately that I sometimes forget about my dreams - which is why this struck me as so poignant.

Do we need to make our dreams become a reality?
Do they happen naturally if they are meant to be?
Meaning – is there a higher self that controls your destiny?

I have been thinking about this now for a few days.
Since I have always been a doer – have an idea and make it happen kind of gal – I just “did” all the time and never really thought about my dreams in the sense of “Oh I’d like to do this now”. I think I usually just decided to make something happen and I’d start on the process. It might have been sort of unconscious. Like when I started my first handbag business - I didn’t really stop to think, “Can I really do this?” I never felt like the “doing part” was a job - It all sort of came naturally to me. I don’t mean the “how to” part – that I had to dig around and figure it out like everyone else. But I mean the passion to make it happen. I guess I never let anything get in my way when I was making a dream come true.  So this makes me wonder – was it meant to be, was this my destiny? Or was it only my hard work that made it happen?

Cut to many, many years later – I am now a teacher/coach/mentor and LOVE it. I never did anything to become one – it happened naturally. I feel like I was drawn to teach what I know. Was this a dream I never knew I had? In fact, it was the farthest thing from my dreams. Funny story actually – I moved to LA after college to work in the movies as a costumer while I was applying to grad school to get a MFA in Costume Design. I wanted to design costumes on Broadway and thought I needed this degree. Ultimately, I got a full scholarship to NYU - but never went. By that time, I was already successfully working on movies in LA and didn’t see the “need” for a MFA since I wasn’t going to go to Broadway after all, and I never wanted to be a teacher! Funny how things come full circle when you least expect it!

That said, being an Entreprenette means that you are a doer of your dreams. Sometimes your dreams just unfold and happen before you, and the work part seems very minimal – like it sort of falls in your lap. Other times you work very hard to make your dream a reality – usually more often than not. Entreprenettes thrive on finding ways to make it happen, but at the same time, we find that if it is meant to be, it happens almost effortlessly. Being an Entreprenette means being committed to your vision and doing whatever it takes to get there. A strong vision puts so much power in your hands mentally, spiritually and physically.  A vision will help you deal with adversity and get you through it. Knowing that you have to eat, drink and breathe your vision to achieve success is the key to being a successful Entreprenette.

Our dreams come in all sizes and shapes, personally and professionally. Dreams are an important part of real life as well as the imagination. When I think back on my life and the dreams that have become a reality I am amazed.

I speak French fluently
I worked on big Hollywood films
I launched a handbag line and it was hugely successful
I patented something
I married a Frenchman
I finally got pregnant – with identical twins, no less
I had an incredible friendship with my father
I am a business coach/teacher/mentor

What are your dreams and how are you becoming a doer today?

Popularity: 12% [?]

Interview with Kathie Papera, founder and creator of a unique collection of stylish, high quality reversible baby bibs, burp cloths, baby blankets, diaper covers and gift sets.

Q: What is your name? Kathie Papera

Q: Company name and website? Lily Pad Baby  http://www.lilypadbaby.com

Q: We launched in: 2000

Q: What is your business or what do you sell?
Lilypad Baby creates and manufactures a unique collection of stylish, high quality reversible baby bibs, burp cloths, baby blankets, diaper covers and gift sets. Made sweatshop-free in the USA, Lilypad Baby items are of keepsake quality, sized to grow, and constructed with non-synthetic fabrics. Lilypad Baby products are available online at LilypadBaby.com as well as over 350 boutique locations across the US, Canada, Australia and online at Amazon.com.

Q: Who or what was the inspiration behind your company?
I was always inspired by my mother’s creativity and ingenuity. Her infectiously positive attitude about life is the driving force behind my entrepreneurial spirit. My brother and I were raised to believe if you can dream it, you can do it — and you can always do it on your own. I took this to heart when I decided to launch Lilypad Baby. And though my mom will tell people I built this company on my own, she was truly instrumental in helping to build the foundation and continues to be a big reason for its success.

Q: How did you get started?
I was working in the advertising industry for many years and helping to build brand identity for my clients and a large portion of my workload included web development. As my friends started having children, I found myself spending a small fortune on baby gifts. I wanted to give a baby gift that was special, valuable, and unique – so I started making my own reversible baby bibs that I could embroider a name on. Eventually, my friends asked me to make more so they could give them out as gifts. I soon found myself in front of the sewing machine on my kitchen table more than on the computer at work. With a nudge from my mom and the enthusiastic support of my husband, I launched my business and started to work on my own branding.

Q: How long before your business was profitable, or when is it projected to become profitable?
The business was profitable by the third year when I decided to leave the ad agency and focus solely on the business. I expanded the product line to include matching burp cloths and blankets — and the company took off. We received quite a bit of press from various magazines and started to target wholesale customers and trade shows. We also upgraded to a full e-commerce package and started Google/Yahoo PPC advertising.

Q: What significant obstacles (if any) have you faced & how did you overcome them?
Sourcing has always been a huge hurdle for us on the production side. We spent a few years nailing down the right structure of vendors. When you grow out of the back office but you’re not big enough to source the major manufacturing system, you have to get creative. We’d search out fabrics that were unique and implement them into our product line only to find out that the manufacturer wasn’t going to reprint the fabric unless we ordered an amount that was ten times more than we needed. We have also struggled in the oversaturated baby gift market online. We’ve always tried to stay competitive with unique personalized items and superior customer service. Not to mention the competition to stay atop the search engine rankings is a constant challenge.

Q: Do you ever feel like giving up at times? If so, what keeps you going?
All the time. Customer service can be tough to handle when customers forget they are talking to a human being on the other line. I try not to take everything personally, but I have to rely on several other people (vendors etc…) with my products. If we’ve made a mistake or the experience wasn’t positive, I take it very personally. It’s also a challenge when a mistake is made by a customer (or anyone for that matter) we are the ones that must fix it – and usually at our expense. Being in the gift business, we want everyone to be happy and overjoyed with every product we make or sell. What keeps me going is my family. I know that I am showing my children that a strong woman can persevere and provide for the family.

Q: What qualities (i.e., family support, discipline, time management) do you think are necessary for a women entrepreneur?
Having the right infrastructure is the key. Family support is also essential. Once you start trying to juggle it all without help, you end up running in circles and getting very little done during the day. You have to make time to be at “work” and be focused only on work. Working during naptime isn’t efficient.  Having the right childcare, office environment and support is the only way you can achieve the right energy it takes to start and build a company.

Q: What is the one thing (book, website, coach, mentor, tool, blog, service, etc) that you value and can say has contributed to your success?
I am not sure I can pinpoint just one thing. There are so many facets to a successfully run company. For SEO, I have been a long time reader of SiteProNews.  For PR, I subscribe to HARO and several other supportive women’s groups. We’ve also expanded our social networking with our new Fan Page on Facebook and our updates on Twitter .

Q: What was the worst advice someone gave you?
A close advisor once told me I wouldn’t succeed unless Lilypad Baby was featured on network television or spotted on a celebrity. I don’t think it’s the only way to build brand awareness. Offering a good product and building a loyal customer based has proven over time that that sort of publicity is great, but shouldn’t be where you spend all of your money, time and energy.

Q: What are your business or personal goals for the next year?
My goals for this year are to creatively build more brand awareness. The current recession is hurting everyone, so if I can ride it out with a positive attitude and great customer service, we’ll be able to focus on continuing to grow the business.

Q: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in business or thinking about taking the leap into entrepreneurship?
There are so many pitfalls to starting a business. Too often people just jump in thinking their product is the best and most unique. Test, test, test. If you’re making a product, give them to people who will give you honest feedback to see if it’s viable, not just to friends who don’t want to hurt your feelings. Exhausting yourself with homework on the product or service is the only way to know for sure it’s the direction that is right for you. Start with a basic business plan. You must sit down and answer all of the questions (mission statement, product development, target audience, distribution channels, marketing, competition, budgets, etc.) prior to spending any money or launching anything to an audience. It’s the best way to avoid costly mistakes down the road. I would also suggest finding mentoring or support group. I like StartUpNation.com and Inc.com.

Q: is there anything else you wish I had asked? All great questions!

Popularity: 32% [?]