Things I have been doing instead of blogging:

• Saving the whales.
• Scaling the Alps.
• Working on my own theory of relativity.
• Hopping from one trunk show to the next, selling our wares and getting valuable face-time and feedback with our end consumers. (More on that later)
• Trying to stay upright amid morning-noon-and-night-sickness.

Ok, only the last two are true. But I swear, I would have rather been blogging!

Hip Tranquil Chick

I'm thrilled to share a book that I have a personal link to. I've mentioned Kimberly Wilson before - one of my most motivating, inspiring and hippest friends! I have been lucky to be able to witness the creation of this book, from the time when it was just an idea in her head to the launch party tomorrow night.

Here's the description from Amazon...
Hip Tranquil Chick addresses that huge but unacknowledged demographic of fashionistas equally at home at Bergdorf's and the yoga studio. The book is divided into two major sections that cover all bases for the style-minded seeker. "On the Mat" shares seven must-have modern-girl yoga sequences, such as "Healing Hip Openers" and "Negativity Releasing Heart Openers", and explains yoga philosophy in hip chick language. "Off the Matshowcasees nine ways to become more fabulous and balanced by incorporating yogic qualities like introspection, strength, and flexibility into daily life. The nine lifestyle chapters reveal how to turn on-the-mat wear into on-the-town style, how to create soulful surroundings at home and work, mindful money management, finding a passion-filled career, how strategic soiree-throwing creates community, tips for practicing social consciousness, and more. Each chapter is accompanied by helpful "OMwork" to translate these concepts into reality. Abundant illustrations accentuate the text, and a "savvy sources" section encourages further exploration.

I know I'm biased, but it really is a fun read, chock full of tips, resources, ideas and stories. And this is from someone whose yoga pants have barely seen a yoga class, so don't think you have to be a yogi to get some insightful lifestyle lessons.

Blog to Watch

I have another creativity-related blog to add to your list... Snap to it written by my favorite photographer, Emily Sopha at Sophatography. Emily is responsible for most of the photos of the cute (and quick-moving) kids on the Itsy Bitsy site. Besides getting a sneak peak at what's she's currently working on, she's going to give us "Snap Tips - quick ideas for ways to improve your photography and eye for design."

Now who can't use that?!

Books as Coasters

Sorry for my not-so-brief hiatus, I've been under the weather and have found it difficult to concentrate on anything other than my bed. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to take advantage of this involuntary down-time and catch up on all the books I've wanted to read. The stack of books on my nightstand are serving as really great coasters at the moment.

I did want to share a great review posted on Urban Baby Runway. If you haven't seen this site - it's a must! Innovative kid gear, interesting articles and it's run by a great group of women. Check out the review!

I promise to return soon with life-changing posts! ... Okay, maybe I'll aim for an interesting post to start.

R with a Circle

It only took seven years, but we finally have claim to the name, "What Fun!". I have just received a Certificate of Registration from my brilliant trademark attorney. It's a loooooong story about why it took so damn long. I won't bore you with it, but let's just say, they made us work for it.

"Intellectual Property" is the term used to refer to the confusing game of "owning" a word or phrase. What a strange world we live in, that if you think you were the first one to coin a term, you can pay a certain amount and seven years later, have legal rights to it.

A couple of years ago, the aforementioned brilliant attorney thought to register the actual shape of the soap, which to me, was even more important than the name. Thanks to him, I'm the only one who can make soap in this shape. (Me = 1, Idea-stealers = 0)

I know imitation is the highest form of flattery, but in business, it's the highest form of sleaziness. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have a company copy you - and then show it at the same trade show, a couple of booths down. Or - to not only copy your idea and packaging, but also your text word-for-word.

Not to worry - now I can put that teensy-weensy little R with a circle around it next to What Fun! and know that it's mine.... all mine. Until the year 2016.

Fresh Arrival

I love being associated with things (sites, stores, people) that I really admire. Today the soaps are being featured on Fresh Arrival, a site that strives to bring readers "one amazingly cool thing, every day". Click here to see the review.

Thanks, Chris, and again - so sorry about the pink polka-dot ribbon.

A Better Day

Building on a response from my "Things I've learned this week" post...

Cindy added one of the things she learned:

"Even when everything seems to be going wrong, a small thing going right can make the day seem much brighter. "

I couldn't agree more. I'm always amazed by how a good order, great inquiry, or note of praise from a customer can turn my day around. Just when I'm thinking that business is slowing down (based on very little but my own fears), the tiniest thing can get me back on track.

I can't say that I like being so easily swayed, I'd like to be more of a Rock - steady in my confidence and Sure of What I'm Doing. But I'm not. And it goes in the other direction too. I have to admit that when I get an unnecessarily rude e-mail or feedback that isn't stellar, however rare that is, it hurts.

My question is - how can I turn my day around on my own? Without having to wait for that little thing to go right - how can I make my day better, more creative, or more productive without that little kick-start? I'm going to think about it and get back to you. If you have any suggestions, I'm open!

Blank Page

Taking another excerpt from the book I'm currently reading, "Your Marketing Sucks."... being innovative requires you to throw out everything you've ever seen before and start from scratch.

"Starting any aspect of your marketing process by looking at what your competition is doing is a bad idea. It force-fits your creative process into a locked box, and discourages the development of truly innovative and powerful strategies..."

Stevens goes on to say that whether it's intentional or not, you're more likely to imitate when you make them the benchmark. He quotes Einstein as saying, "I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

Easier said than done, but here are a few tips:
> Understand your primary focus. Is it to get an order, create buzz, spark interest, etc? Focus on the end goal and work backwards.
> Forge your own path. When you create something (whether it's a brochure, mailing, or the product itself) based on your competitor, you're following their rules. Throw out the rule book and do your own thing.
> Aim high. Steve Jobs' vision for Apple? "We are going to change the world." Bill Gates's vision for Microsoft? "We are going to put a computer on every desk and in every home."

What's your primary focus? Are you forging your own path? Are you aiming high enough?

Things I've learned this week...

• That daunting projects aren't so daunting once you start them.
• That watching the food channel when I'm hungry is a bad idea.
• That asking the basic question, "Is this helping me achieve my goal?" helps me assess certain situations for what they really are.
• That if I haven't touched a book in 2 weeks, I'm probably not interested in it.
• That as soon as I sell out of something, it's going to be a hot commodity.
• That sometimes all we need is just a little patience.

Have you stopped to think about what you've learned this week?

Runs, Hits and Errors

I was at a baseball game the other night when I started thinking about the errors I've made in my business. I know - I should have been watching the game, but something on the scoreboard caught my eye. The column right next to "Runs" and "Hits" is labeled "Errors". This isn't particularly new to me, but in the context of my business it shed a whole new light on the subject of mistakes.

When I voiced my concern for the feelings of the poor player who got branded with the error, Kevin explained that it's only when they make an error on an easy play - something they are "supposed" to do without a problem. That's when my thoughts trailed to my business, as it often does, and how I'm lucky I don't have a giant scoreboard pinpointing my failures overhead. It would probably count the time I didn't follow up on a good lead fast enough, or sent something Ground instead of Overnight, so I missed the deadline, or when I negotiated a contract on the spot, without giving myself time to really think about it. These are the errors that stick out in my mind, and even though there isn't a scoreboard for everyone to see, I have one of my very own to remind me of these mistakes and hopefully learn from them.

I guess that's the only way I can keep playing the game - knowing that I'm going to make errors, and - fingers crossed - the runs and hits will outnumber them.

Do you have your own personal scorecard? How do you keep playing the game?

Q&A with my Creative Guru

I thought I'd introduce you to my creative guru who happens to be my favorite (oh yeah, and only) sister. She is a virtual powerhouse of great ideas. She started a business with her husband, Nathan, 12 years ago, designing and printing hand-made couture stationery (arakkanofskystudios.com) and is about to launch her new blog: Paper Life Style. I'll let you know when it's live!

Susan: Are there certain times of the day when you feel you're at your most creative?
Heather: Absolutely! I feel most creative driving around with the windows down, preferably with a decaf iced coffee in my hand! I take notes on whatever paper is available. At night, when the house is quiet and Nathan and the boys are sleeping I can bank on those notes and start putting them into action. Usually this is after 10 p.m.

S: Just when I'm winding down! What do you do when you are having a creative block?
H: I talk about it. I sometimes have to hit rock bottom- and some real resistance before I get to the good stuff. For instance, once in a while I have to tackle a new painting and I just can't get motivated to do it. I feel like a kid who doesn't want to start their science fair project- its just too big- too daunting. So I just start. Even if I feel like I'm not doing it exactly right.

S: Do you ever worry that the "good stuff" won't come?
H: Not really. I have my tools in place. I also have an awesome creative support system and I definitely rely on their feedback and encouragement.

S: What's the most important thing for you, in being creative? Is it the outcome, the process, both or something in between?
H: I think it's both. I love the process, but I really love the outcome. It is very, very rare that I am not thrilled with the end product of our work. Maybe this is because I am a perfectionist? In any case, it is so exciting to see the first print roll off the press. Or the first invitation fully assembled.

S: Besides your work, what other creative outlets do you have?
H: Cooking! I love anything having to do with food - picking out edibles for the garden, grocery shopping, cooking and baking and eating new foods. And certainly entertaining. I love to make casual get togethers and Passover dinners for 40. There is nothing better than creating a celebratory environment and then to see people you love enjoying being together. Our home and garden are also creative outlets. I really enjoy working with color and surrounding my family with interesting things.

S: Do you prefer to brainstorm on your own - or with others?
H: Both! But I love brainstorming with Nathan and you. It is such a rush to brainstorm with people you love! It's a creative connection - then to see our ideas come to fruition- that is the best. Of course, I also get to brainstorm with our clients- which is a fun challenge. I get to immerse myself in other people's ideas and aesthetic and see their dreams come to life too!

Mish Mash

No real theme for today's post - other than I'm going to be all over the place. Here are some random things...

Thanks to your input, we added the size 2T to our "I will color outside the lines" baby tee! We also added bright new colors to the "Brainy Beanies"! It's always fun to add things to a product line, waiting to see if people like your ideas.

If you are anywhere between the DC metro area and NYC (this includes Philly) and you know of a Trunk Show or Holiday Showcase - I'd love to know about it. We do really well at these events so I'm looking to schedule a few for the fall. I've got a couple lined up - but am looking for more!

Have you ever felt like your technology is disappointed in having you as an owner? I got a new PDA and I swear it would roll it's eyes if it had any every time I turn it on. I know it can do about 3 million more things than what I use it for and I have guilt.

"We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down." -Kurt Vonnegut

See? I told you it was going to be a mish mash. Do you have any random thoughts you'd like to share? Doesn't have to be related!

Forty Thousand Feet

As I mentioned last week, I am in the middle of reading "Your Marketing Sucks." by Mark Stevens. I'm only on Chapter two, but one of his terms struck me - "... a classic example of a marketing program designed at forty thousand feet", meaning that someone who is way too far from the actual situation (at an altitude of forty thousand feet, to be exact) made the decision without thinking of the end-user. He goes on to say that, "... a seemingly terrific idea turns out to be another form of marketing that sucks, because people don't think it all the way through to the implementation level."

I really like the image that conjures up and it prompts me to think about what I create from forty thousand feet, without knowing it. I have made a lot of adjustments to the product line in the past seven years because I would find things out from my customers. Store owners would tell me that people kept asking what to put the soap rolls in, so I started selling our little soap dishes to stand them up in. It hadn't occurred to me before that, that people would ask for something specifically... I was operating at forty thousand feet.

It's always imperative to think about the end-user. Since it's likely that you won't have direct contact with them, and will therefore miss out on crucial feedback, you have to approach your product (or whatever your creation happens to be) with brand new critical eyes.

What altitude are you at? How do you bring yourself back down to earth?

Drive + Desire

My sister read me the following quote yesterday after I expressed my dismay with the magazines.

We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents. -Eric Hoffer

Do you think that drive can sometimes make you better at something? Or is it - either you have talent or you don't? Take Brittney Spears - the girl doesn't have a speck of talent, but she has (or had) drive and the ability to know what would sell. Maybe that, in itself, is talent. What are your thoughts?

Too much

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I recently sent out press kits for both the Soaps and Baby line, hoping to get some write-ups in the "holiday gift guides" of large consumer magazines. I worked really hard to figure out the right amount of info to send (don't want to overwhelm them), the right person to send it to (they rarely pass it along to someone else) at the right publication (sending it to "Cat Fancy" isn't in my best interest - no offense to "Cat Fancy" readers.. all three of you. Ouch! I'm sorry I'm in a feisty mood.)

This week I'm trying to get in touch with my contacts to confirm that they received the package and see if they had any questions - and to get a gage on whether they might include the products. So, I received an e-mail back from one particular magazine that I've always wanted to get into. Her response was - the soap rolls looked like they had a lot of press already. Too much success? I have many issues with this - and here are a few, in no particular order.

1. It may appear that we have had a lot of press, but that's over 7 years - it's not like it's: Soap Rolls Everywhere You Look. Have any of you seen the soaps in a magazine?
2. If we have had a lot of press, it's because people like the product. I know, CRA-ZY! Who wants to feature a product that people would actually like?
3. She'd be amazed by how many people have never seen nor heard of Soap Rolls, despite my best back-breaking efforts.
4. The fact that we have been in all these magazines should bolster my credibility. It's proof that the company isn't "here today, gone tomorrow"
5. What about all the products I see over and over again in every magazine I look in. Funny, they just happen to have paid advertisements on the page next to the editorial. Coincidence? I think not.

The thing is - I busted my butt - and kissed other's people's - to get all of this press to compensate for my lack of advertiisng funds. And now to be penalized for it... well that is just too much.

I know this is in stark contrast with my usual upbeat self (stop laughing!) - I promise to be back to normal (as normal as I can get) tomorrow. Just needed to rant!

Have you ever been in a situation where you were labelled with having too much success? I realized as I wrote that that it sounds like I'm bathing in Dom Perignon and having someone feed me grapes, which I most certainly am not. I bathe in Cristal.

My Bedside Table

I'm in the middle of reading four books. I never do that because even if they are on two completely different topics, I will inevitably weave both books together in my head. You should have heard the story I came up with when I read "Bridget Jones' Diary" and "Guerilla Trade Show Selling" at the same time. Anyway, here are the four that are on my bedside table. Let me know if you're interested in swapping notes if you've read it or hearing a review if you haven't... or starting our own mini book club!

The Long Tail by Chris Anderson. Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More. Thanks to Cindy for this recommendation!

Your marketing sucks by Mark Stevens. "The hard-nosed guide to implementing ROI marketing." This title did what he wanted it to do - it got my attention.

Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner. "... a poignant memoir about an intrepid, unforgettable girl and her extraordinary childhood in 1950's small-town America." I read about this book in a magazine - and when I went to buy it, the woman behind the counter said it was hilarious.

BANG! Getting your message heard in a noisy world by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval.

Are you reading anything good?

Crazy about Crazy

Ok, so I'm obsessed with this song, "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. This wasn't one of those songs that grew on me over time... I was hooked the first time I heard it - and I came in halfway. So much so, that I went and bought the CD that day. Now that's consumerism at it's very best.

I was just wondering what makes certain things strike a chord, while others flop. What is it about some products that reel me in and make me an evangelist in their name? I'm pretty picky about the products that I use (and by products, I mean books, music, beauty aids, restaurants, etc.), but when I really like it, I'll tell everyone I know about it. What does it take to make you spread the word about something? Is it something little, or do you have to be bowled over? I know I get a lot of customers through word-of-mouth - so I'm just curious what pushes your buttons!

Sidebar - I've heard "Crazy" is a great video too, and if MTV or VH1 ever played videos, maybe I could judge for myself.

Some Inspiration between Weather and Traffic

Years ago, I swore that I would never step foot into an Ethan Allen furniture showroom again. I had the displeasure of talking to a salesman who was so rude and condescending (He actually said, "It's not that expensive!") that it ruined the entire brand for me. That is, until this morning. I was watching the news when an Ethan Allen commercial came on, which is normally no big deal, but this one opened with the question, "Do we choose our inspiration, or does inspiration choose us?" It followed with a series of interesting visuals that really caught my eye. Damn you, Ethan Allen, for reeling me back in!

Anyway, I thought I'd broach the subject with you and see what the consensus is. Do you choose your inspiration, or does inspiration choose you? For me, it's about 50/50. I purposely go looking for Inspiration in certain places, and then when I least expect it, Inspiration comes knocking on my door - which usually means that Opportunity is right around the corner.

I still won't ever go back into an Ethan Allen showroom, but I might cross them off my list of "Stores to Curse".

Great Expectations

I've realized lately that my happiness with a product, movie or book is in direct proportion to my expectations. It's a sliding scale; the lower the expectation, the more I will enjoy it, the higher the expectation, the greater the chance that I'll be totally non-plussed.

Case study #1: Hair product that promises to perform a "miracle" on my not-so-shiny mane. Now, I wouldn't normally put a ton of faith into hair products, but it's actually in the name, for pete's sake! I'm not unjustly holding them to a higher standard here. After the said three minutes, my hair didn't look or feel any different than when I use my normal shampoo and conditioner, let alone having the promised halo appearing around my head.

Here's my thought: maybe instead of vamping up the promises that a product/book/movie makes - maybe they should lower our expectations so that when it just cleans my hair/makes me think/makes me cry, I won't be so disappointed. Take the soap rolls, for instance, I've never implied that it does anything more than wash your hands, last longer than a regular bar of soap, or look cute next to your bathroom sink. It's not going to help you pass that exam, improve your familial relations or get the girl in the end. It just won't. But saying your product is a "miracle" just sets us up for disappointment.

This is weird for me to go against a review of a product, because I'm a huge proponent of "word-of-mouth". I rightfully deem it the best form of advertising out there, and I personally like to "spread the word" about products I like and purchase things I've heard about from friends.

So where does belief in the "No expectations, no disappointments" theory and the reliance on "word of mouth" intersect? Can they co-exist? What are your thoughts?

Sidebar: In honor of Mrs. Seigel, my 9th grade English teacher who forced me to read "Great Expectations", I have to quote her here in saying, "Love her, love her, love her." After 17 years, and much therapy, I can not get the audio clip of her repeating that line from the book, over and over and over.

Being Mick

I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of Mick Jagger until I saw him perform with the Rolling Stones. I was in 9th grade and the sheer force of his energy was hypnotizing, even for someone who was more into George Michael and Bon Jovi at the time (much to my father's dismay). I actually prefer Mick Jagger's solo albums over the Stones; each of his two albums are soulful, funky, and addicting.

So when I heard about his documentary, Being Mick, about putting together his latest album, I couldn't wait to see it. I thought it was a interesting glimpse into his life and what goes into making an album. I'm always interested in how things are made; from jelly beans to ice cream (both of which I have had the extreme pleasure of seeing); I guess I really like to see the details of the hard work that goes into a product. Anywho, I thought I would share his insight when asked about his creative process in songwriting.

"You might get an idea late at night, but I think you get much faster earlier in the day... because I think you sleep on it sometimes. Write everything down you can and don't worry too much if it's late, because you're tired. See everything you've got and then the next day, get up in the morning, have breakfast, then immediately just do that. Quite often it comes really quickly."

Sdebar: The fact that Bono and Lenny Kravitz appear in it to each work on a different song with him is just a bonus, and if you were wondering, it strengthened my love for both of them.

Christmas in July

I've just made myself a cup of hot cocoa, I'm decked in red and green plaid flannel and I've got Harry Connick, Jr. crooning holiday tunes in the background. Ok, if this was an audio post, this is where everything would come to a screeching halt and you'd hear the needle scratching across a record. It's the end of July, 90-something degrees out (with humidity to boot), and I have to get into the Christmas spirit!

Part of Marketing and P.R. is staying ahead of the game and running on a schedule that's slightly strange and not just a little ironic. Since my stores are starting to buy for Christmas (if they haven't finished already), and the magazines are working on their holiday issues, I have to be thinking about my marketing materials and holiday products way before the flip-flops and innertubes come out of hiding.

There's something kinda sad about always moving on to the next season before this one even gets started. I'm thinking that maybe we rush through things a bit too much. We plan out our summers so every weekend is filled, and then wonder where our summer went. I'm making a new plan to not schedule our days so much that we miss just enjoying them.

Anyway, I've got to run... I have to get going on Valentine's Day before these leaves change colors.

Tunnel Vision

Tunnel Vision
Chester, my Golden Retriever who is the devil with fur, happens to be Obsessive Compulsive. I honestly think he does it to annoy me, but that's beside the point. He gets in this zone where he will lick his paw, belly, back, hindleg - you name it - in the same motion for HOURS if we didn't stop him. He'll lick Kevin's foot or leg in the same manner, which curiously doesn't bother Kevin, but makes me want to scratch my own eyes out. I am almost Reverse Obsessive Compulsive, where repetitive sounds quite literally make me crazy. Chinese Water Torture? I'd give up any secret I had within minutes.

My reason for telling you this, is that it got me thinking last night. As I was hurling pillows at the furball in the dark, secretly hoping one of them would knock him out cold (he woke me from a sound sleep, for crying outloud), I thought about how we can be so focused on one thing that we are completely oblivious to all else. Admittedly, this happens to me when things get crazy around here, other business Stuff falls to the wayside. It's the balancing of all of it - for me it's constantly thinking about marketing, direct mail, e-correspondance, packaging, literature, sales reps, etc. - that ensures that the business keeps running, that is the hardest part.

Sometimes we need someone to chuck a pillow at us to change our focus. What do you do to make sure you don't get Tunnel Vision?

"The risk of not being risky"

As predicted, I came across something else from Donny Deutsch's book that I wanted to share.

"If you're not moving forward, you risk getting run over from behind. In advertising - as in all industries and organizations- something that is not risky can, in fact, be more risky because it will neither excite an old customer nor attract a new one. You risk everything by risking nothing."

I've said this before, and I'll say it again... don't do what your competition does. Set yourself apart by not even playing in their game. Make up a new one. This goes for anything from your resume, to your marketing plan, to a new product line.

"Zigging when other people zag is the price of entry for being important in anything... Go where tomorrow is. Let everybody else catch up."

What are you doing that's risky? Is it a "good" risky or a "bad" risky?

Weigh in on line expansion

We're getting ready to replenish our inventory (and yes, we're very excited that we are running low!) so we thought we would take this opportunity to expand our line somewhat. We're adding bright colors to the "Brainy Beanies" (instead of the white cotton fabric) which I think will make them really pop! As for our baby tees, we have received some interest in larger sizes, so we were contemplating adding 2T to the line. But as always, I second-guess everything, so I'm wondering if we should go in a different direction. This is where you come in. If you could cast a vote, which would you choose:

• Adding a bigger size - 2T
• Offering long sleeve - for the winter
• Going organic - offering a 100% Organic Cotton option

Thanks in advance - I appreciate your help! I usually poll friends through e-mail, but I thought you all would be a good audience. Even you lurkers, let your voice be heard!

All about the Benjamins

I'm sorry to have abandoned you again, but I have a good excuse! My sister gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy! I was lucky to be a part of the whole experience and witness Benjamin being born and it was by far the most incredible thing I've ever seen. I knew my sister was one of the strongest people I know, but this blew me away.

I'm usually attached to my e-mail (in an unhealthy way, I admit), but it's funny what a little 8 pound sack of sugar can do to your priorities! I didn't even realize that I had not checked my e-mail in 4 days!

This was my list of priorities last week:
1. Hold Benjamin
2. Wait for him to open his big blue eyes.
That about covers it.

Here are 2 pictures of the new man in my life. Consider yourself lucky, I'm sparing you the other 267. Notice that we didn't waste any time getting him into an Itsy Bitsy & Bold hat.

The Failure-Dichotomy Principle

Just between you and me (and anyone who stumbles across this blog), I have a thing for Donny Deutsch. I love his talk show (and not just because he picked a great theme song) and think he is a brilliant marketer/creative genius. So when I was browsing through the bookstore, my heart skipped a beat when I saw him on the cover of Often Wrong, Never in Doubt. Not only is he an advertising guru, the host of his own talk show, and not bad to look at, but he also wrote a book. Lucky me!

I'm only 60-something pages in, but I really like it so far, and thought I would pass on his "Failure-Dichotomy Principle".

Creativity is about freedom. In order for people to be free to create, they need to feel free to fail... You need to be free to unload your mind, to have the opportunity to put every idea on the table, no matter how far-fetched or unusual or downright weird. To free up the unconscious while inoculating oneself against ridicule, we have a ritual we call "Shards of Glass." It's a set of words, a preemptive strike against yourself. "This may be a really bad idea, and if it is, throw shards of glass at me..." It gives people a safety net so they can sail off into the unknown.

At the same time, you need a culture in which failure is not an option... We all, as human beings, have a depth gauge within ourselves and at some point we decide that the game, the championship, the job, our soul, is on the line. At that point you simply can't allow yourself to fail.

I really like the idea of embracing failure for the sake of creativity, yet instilling a mindset that you're capable of anything. Do you allow yourself the freedom to fail?

sidebar: I'm sure I'll come across something else I'll want to share from Donny, so I'm reserving the right to revisit this book!

Make Clients Happy

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and my soapbox at the same time (don't try this at home, kids!) Have you heard about this guy who taped his conversation with an AOL Customer Service Rep? He was trying to cancel his account and the guy from AOL was less than accommodating. I saw an interview with the aforementioned customer-turned-squealer on CNBC this morning (Let it be stated that I do not choose to watch "Squawk Box", Kevin steals the remote. A better name would be "A Group Of Morons Who Talk Over Each Other And Think That They Are Doing Stand-up") In any case, everyone is up in arms because AOL got caught doing what every other big company does (which is why you should do business with small companies, when possible.) I had the exact same experience last week with a certain company (I'm not mentioning any names, but it rhymes with "Berizon" and starts with a V.) After 1 hour and 45 minutes, 3 "Agents", 1 Supervisor and 1 lodged complaint later, my blood pressure was up but my issue was not resolved.

Here's the thing: It takes so little to make a customer happy; just some gratitude for their business, sympathy when they are upset, and the promise to try to resolve the issue. This is not new, people. Just forgotten.

Don't forget - it's more expensive and difficult to get new clients than it is to keep the ones you have. So, for Pete's sake, make your new mantra, "Make Clients Happy" and all will be good with the world. Or at least your business.

The balance between work and life

I was at a party the other night and was talking to another woman who has owned a couple of businesses. She was shocked to hear that I was able to go on my 10 day vacation and leave business here. I admitted that I checked in a couple of times, but was suddenly very proud of the fact that I have (after seven years of struggling) maintained a good balance between my business and my life. They used to be one and the same - and to some extent, they still are - but it's much healthier now. I guess I eventually figured out that no one was going to die from not getting their soap rolls.

Things I do to nurture a good balance:

• Don't sweat the small stuff. Think about it in the grand scheme of things - is it really that big of a deal? Some things are, but most things aren't.
• Take a day off every now and then. And when I'm on that day off, I might check in once or twice, but otherwise, it's just a day working out of the office.
• Work efficiently. Making good use of my time while working allows me to get more done and enjoy my free time without feeling guilty.
• Remember that it's just business. It doesn't take precedence over my home life, or my happiness.

Do you have a good balance between work and life? What do you do to nurture that balance?

Tell someone you love them.

In honor of my Dad on his birthday and Father's Day...

On this day,
Mend a quarrel.
Search for a forgotten friend.
Dismiss a suspicion
and replace it with trust.
Write a letter to someone who misses you.
Encourage a youth who has lost faith.
Keep a promise.
Forget an old grudge.
Examine your demands upon others
and vow to reduce them.
Fight for a principle.
Express your gratitude.
Overcome an old fear.
Take two minutes to enjoy the
beauty of nature.
Tell someone you love them.
Tell them again.
And again.
And again.

Sorry for the lapse...

I haven't abandoned you - I've just been crazy busy! I promise to get back to my more regular routine this coming week. Unfortunately, when things are busy some of my more favorite things to do take a backseat. I'm not complaining though, when work keeps me busy, I'm happy.

Oh, and I took my own advice last week (see March 24th post: Stuck in a rut) and took a design project that I just couldn't make sense of to a friend. After about 10 seconds of talking about it - the solution seemed clear. Funny that it was sitting on my desk for longer than I care to admit, but just talking it out to someone else was all I needed!

My own support group

Over the past seven years I have met some incredible people through having the business. I have met these inspiring people at trade shows, seminars where I spoke, or through other interesting people. I have learned to surround myself with people in different industries that know much more than I do in these other areas. It goes both ways, I enjoy mentoring other women and helping them through the parts where I stumbled.

I met Kimberly Wilson, Creative Director of Tranquil Space Yoga in DC, at a Women Business Owners workshop. I was speaking on a panel about "Big marketing strategies for small budgets" - I don't know about the big marketing strategies, but I sure had the "small budget" down. I noticed her walk in because she was dressed very chic and I just had a feeling that we would be friends. She came up to me at the end to tell me that she loved my story and we exchanged information. We got together the next week - eager to meet for lunch and share ideas.

At that lunch, I told her that I had been a part of a group for women business owners, but that I felt it was just for local networking (which I didn't really need) and that it seemed like their main goal was to participate in the ice-breaker at the luncheons so they could win a door prize. No real connections. I was looking for something deeper, a fusion of brainstorming and problem-solving, topped off with a little bit of emotional support and camaraderie. We decided to make our own group - pull in 2 or 3 other women in the same position and meet monthly. It was great right from the start - we would come to the group with a specific problem or idea we wanted to get feedback on and there we would find unbiased opinions, outside-the-box solutions and suggested resources. We talked about our personal long-term goals and at each meeting we would pinpoint five smaller goals for the next month that would get us closer to those long-term goals. There is a certain amount of accountability that comes with having to check in with someone. I knew that when I got to that meeting, I had to answer to my board.

Kimberly actually went a step further and created her own "Advisory Board" which I thought was brilliant. Five other business gurus (not sure how I got past the cut) meeting quarterly to help her with her business. I can only speak for myself, but I think I get as much out of her "board meetings" as she does - it's a real learning opportunity.

Kimberly is continually a source of inspiration for me. And with her new book, Hip Tranquil Chick, due out in November, it seems like nothing is out of her reach.

**To make your head spin, check out her bio on tranquilspace.com, and to hear me and Kimberly chat about being a "hip tranquil chick" in business, check out the Dec 19th podcast on hiptranquilchick.com/blog

Do you have your own "advisory board" - a support group, however informal, that you can bounce ideas off of?

Spring cleaning for your mind

We spent part of our 3-day weekend doing some outdoor spring cleaning; cleaning off our deck and screened-in porch in preparation for all the time we're going to spend outside over the next few months.

It got me thinking about "spring cleaning" on the creative front. Clearing out the clutter (literally and figuratively) that's blocking our creative process. Here are 2 tips that have helped me get a fresh start...

Literally:
Clear off your desk. Physically having the space around you clutter-free can do wonders for your creativity. Purge your area of anything that you aren't working on at the moment (keep in mind: it should only be one thing), and move all "pending" papers to another area. A good rule of thumb when going through papers is: file it, route it, or throw it away!

Figuratively:
Clear up your "to do" list. I have had items on my list that have been there through two different presidents. My advice is to either make that your project of the day, or move it off the list temporarily. Seeing that thorn in your side appear on your list every day only makes your feel bad for not accomplishing something and you start to gloss over it.

Do you have any tips for "spring cleaning for the mind"? Would love to know!

Pink Bubbles

I've been doing some simple meditations over the past couple of months and thought I would share one of my favorites that focuses on achieving goals. It was taken from Shakti Gawain's book, Creative Visualization. Creative visualization is the technique of using your imagination to create what you want in your life.

• Sit or lie down comfortably, close your eyes, and breathe deeply, slowly, and naturally. Gradually relax deeper and deeper.
• Imagine something that you would like to manifest. Imagine that it has already happened. Picture it as clearly as possible in your mind.
• Now, in your mind's eye, surround your fantasy with a pink bubble; put your goal inside the bubble. Pink is the color associated with the heart, and if this color vibration surrounds whatever you visualize, it will bring to you only that which is in perfect affinity with your being.
• The third step is to let go of the bubble and imagine it floating off into the universe, still containing your vision. This symbolizes that you are emotionally "letting go" of it. Now it is free to float around the universe, attracting and gathering energy for its manifestation.

May all your pink bubbles return to you!

Making the most of dryspells

I was talking to a friend recently who mentioned that business was excrutiatingly slow. She asked me how I get through the slower times without going insane. Unfortunately, dryspells don't just apply to owning your own business, it's natural to have a creative dryspell or a slump in just about any arena.

I'll admit, sometimes it's rough. I don't think I'll ever get over that nervous feeling I get when things slow down and I question whether things will ever be busy again!

I am always happier being busy, so for me, the key is to be busy until you really are. I create new projects by reassessing everything about the business. I redo sales materials, work on new product slants, send out press kits, and organize inventory. As it turns out, sometimes a dryspell is a blessing in disguise because it gives me time to really run the business, instead of just keeping up with it. So make the most of it, because sometimes there are no slow times, and then you are thankful for any break.

What do you do when you're in a slump? Are you in a dryspell you can't get out of?

Bees, Tents and Tavernas

As promised, I'm excited to share 3 books I really enjoyed reading on the trip...

"The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd is a wonderful story about finding mothers in unlikely places. Beautifully written, it was easy to become attached to the characters and hard to put down.

"The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant. The author took one line from the bible and weaved a story around it. An amazing, heart-wrenching tale that keeps you entranced from start to finish. Have tissues ready.

"The Summer of My Greek Taverna" by Tom Stone. A memoir that's interesting to read as an entrepreneur (and somewhat frustrating) and a good summer vacation book.

Yassas! ("Hello" in Greek)

I'm back from Greece, stuffed with delicious food, slightly tanned and completely refreshed.

It was an INCREDIBLE trip - hard to even describe how wonderful Greece is. We went to Athens for 2 days (Acropolis is just as amazing as you would think), then flew to Santorini (a.k.a. Heaven on Earth), then took a ferry to Folegandros (no tourists, just an authentic and beautiful island), then back to Santorini for another incredible part of the island.

Highlights from the trip...

• Beaches with "sand" made entirely of smooth colorful pebbles.
• Sunrise - Yes, Kevin dragged my unhappy butt from the bed for a 30 minute hike straight up a goat path at 5:30 am, but it was well worth it.
• Sunsets - we based our day around what time the sun would set so we could see the show and bid a proper goodbye. Something I think we're missing out on here - what a way to live!
• Hikes - everything was actually a hike since Greeks don't believe in either flat paths or straight roads. One in particular was from one part of Santorini to another which was supposedly 6 miles, but I think it was really 9, especially since it was uphill most of the way, on an 8 inch wide path on a cliff with no guardrails, and the wind whipping around the mountain. I should at least get 3 extra miles for "degree of difficulty".
• Food - it was ridiculously good (I ate my weight in feta), and didn't have one bad meal. Plus you can make a meal out of appetizers - my favorite!
• Aegean Sea - it was clear to the bottom, even in deep water, and was this miraculous shade of turquoise that I swear can not be replicated.
• People - they were extremely generous and hospitable, taking the time to talk to us, giving us desserts made by their grandmothers and going out of their way to make us happy.

It was 11 glorious days being unplugged from everything and getting recharged at the same time.

So, I'm back and ready to blog. Read 3 books that I really enjoyed - so I'll pass along reviews shortly! What have you been up to?

"Bon Voyage" in Greek.

There's no way to say this without sounding obnoxious - so I'm just going to say it - we're off to the Greek Islands! This is a trip that Kevin and I have been talking about for years. We have always wanted to go and decided that this summer was our time! Being the controlling person that I am, I love to plan vacations. I revel in reading all the information, mapping out places to go, finding gems that are off-the-beaten-path, and making the most of our days away.

We're going to Athens (I have to see the Acropolis), then to Santorini (looks heavenly), then to Folegandros (a tiny island that's not touristy). I'm looking forward to reading a ton, seeing the Mediterranean, eating amazing food and spending some QT with the hubby.

I promise to provide a full report when I return. Hope you have a great week!

Getting MasterCard to create a commercial for you: Priceless

I saw a commercial for MasterCard the other day that really got my wheels spinning. They were offering the opportunity to write one of their well-known "Priceless" commercials. Immediately, I thought of using it to get a national commercial for the Soap Rolls. How great would that be to have a major commercial filmed and paid for by MasterCard about our little soap rolls? The story alone could get us great attention, and since I've always thought that we're just steps away from that huge "big break" - I thought this could be it!

I wrote the script in my head very quickly... something to the effect of, "Coming up with an alternative to a bar of soap: $450. Turning your house into a soap factory: $3000. Producing 400,000 soap rolls: X amount. Getting MasterCard to create a commercial for you: Priceless."

I went to their website to see about submitting the idea and was pretty bummed to see that they have two storylines already filmed - you have to just fill in the blanks. Wouldn't it be so much better to let people write the whole thing? The way they are doing it - it's still their idea.

Anyway - I think I might still try to submit it - just for the hell of it. What do I have to lose? A "big break" doesn't just land in your lap - it happens when you go out on a limb.

Keep the channel open.

A friend passed this along to me, and now I'm passing it along to you...

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.

If you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium
and be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is;
nor how valuable it is;
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.

You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work.
You have to keep open and aware directly
to the urges that motivate you.

Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased.
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction;
a blessed unrest that keeps us marching
and makes us more alive than the others.

-Martha Graham to Agnes Demille

Positive messages for kids

A prospective customer of our baby gear asked me yesterday about other empowering messages that I think are important to surround kids with. I'm not a parent, but I play one on TV - actually, I don't even do that. What I can offer is what I've learned from my parents and other parents that I admire. Rather than quotes, these are general ideas I like.

Encourage them to daydream. It sets a good precedent for dreaming big later on.

Foster their creativity. Always be encouraging when they are expressing their artistic side (when they draw huge circles on your suede couch with a purple marker, maybe not so much. Not that I know anyone that would do that. Again, so sorry, Mom) And for the love of god, let them color outside the lines.

Revel in their silliness. We all know that the sillies get shaken out of you quickly enough when you grow up, so let 'em be a silly goose now. Joining in wouldn't be such a bad idea for you either.

Don't be stingy with praise. And let them overhear you saying complimentary things about them to others.

Have any to add?

My Book List, "The unexpected" and Garden State

What are you reading? I'm looking for books to take on my trip and since I'm always suggesting books, I thought I'd turn the tables on you. Here is what is on my list so far- but it's not set in stone... Barrel Fever by David Sedaris (one of my favorite writers) The Summer of My Greek Taverna by Tom Stone (my sisters suggestion), The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (have been wanting to read this for ages), and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (another suggestion from the sister). Have you read any of these or is there a must-read that I'm overlooking? Notice I am not bringing any business-related books... I'm giving myself a rest since that's all I've been reading.

"To put something in the world that was not there before, you have to be able to see that which others before you have overlooked. Both creativity and play involve appreciating paradox and the unexpected." - Author unknown

This CD is not new, but if you don't have it, you're missing out. The Garden State soundtrack is one of those CD's that you can listen to from start to finish without skipping any songs and you can hear it over and over and over and not get sick of it. I swear, if CD's could wear out, mine would have been dust long ago. The reason I bring it up is because I think it's good "thinking" music. I usually don't listen to music while I'm working - I've never mastered the art of being able to fully concentrate while singing - but with this CD I can. It's mellow and calming without putting me to sleep.

Fun and work don't have to be mutually exclusive

When I was little, I loved to go to work with my dad. I would get all dressed up and he would take me in for the day. I didn't just sit there and color or read - I worked! I would organize the entire office; clean out his desk, organize samples, and put everything back to working order. I think I liked it a little too much for an eight year old, but that's what gave me this impression that you were supposed to have fun at work. My organization skills were honed at that young age and my love for materials (art or office supplies) started early. But more importantly, it was ingrained in me that it was important to love what you do. My father always said that he loved his work, but the happiest part of his day was when he pulled into the driveway, coming home to see me, my sister and my mom.

What things in your career do you consider to be fun? How can you incorporate more of that into your job?

Re:fresh

In the past seven years that What Fun! has been in business, I've made a lot of changes as I go along. I've changed marketing tools, tried different PR tactics, and even altered my slant on the product. I find it necessary to keep things fresh by changing them up somehow, but it's helpful to revisit things from the past, since sometimes I change things just for the sake of change. When I find these things (usually accidentally), I rediscover something that is now new and fresh.

For example, I had the soap line registered at Greatrep.com years ago - it's a service that lists your products on a web site that store buyers frequent. After a year or two, I felt like I had tapped out their customers, so I cancelled my subscription. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I received an e-mail from them asking me to come back... I gave it a shot and not only did I get a ton of new inquiries for What Fun!, but also for Itsy Bitsy & Bold!

The second lesson here is to keep old clients on your mailing list - you never know when they will "rediscover" you!

Can you revisit anything from your past that might be helpful to you now?

What's it gonna take?

I read Marketing Outrageously by Jon Spoelstra while in Florida and I think this is one of the best business-related books I've read in a while. It's a quick read; concise and easy to digest. I didn't have to read and reread certain parts to process what he was trying to say.
A couple of take-away snippets...

• Ask yourself the question: What's it gonna take to _____ this year? (Fill in your own goal; triple my sales, write that book that's in my head, go back to school, etc) Spoelstra suggests writing down the question and keep it in your shirt pocket everyday, but I would recommend pinning it up in a good spot where you'll see it constantly. (Sorry, Mr. Spoelstra!) Anyway, making a list of answers to that question will make a daunting goal a little more doable.
• About a month ago, I used this quote, "Hit 'em where they ain't" when talking about taking a different avenue than your competition. Spoelstra's used the same quote, along with, "... Or more to the point: Hit 'em where they ain't strong." I find his examples really helpful in illustrating his points.
• Differentiate until you sweat. This not only goes for every company, large or small, but also any career; you want to differentiate yourself from everyone else. Play up the things that set you apart - even if it seems like it's a weakness at first.

Spoeltra's first book, Ice to the Eskimos looks really good too. It's next on my list! Let me know if you read either and what you got out of them.

5 reasons to get away...

I doubt you need these reasons, but just in case...

1. There's something about jumping on a hotel bed. I don't jump on my bed at home, but as soon as I enter my hotel room and see that King-size, perfectly made bed, I can't stop myself from being airborne.
2. Get some space - physically and emotionally. I usually don't realize how much I need it until I'm two days in and reveling in the fact that my surroundings have changed and that I don't have my daily responsibilities. I really feel like ideas come to me easier because I'm not bogged down by the day-to-day crap that gets in the way of creativity. Which leads me to #3...
3. Time to do things you can't find the time to do when you're home. When I'm home, there's always something to do; catch up on e-mails, do laundry, labels soaps, clean the kitchen, etc. When I'm away, I don't have those choices, so I get to read like it's going out of style and indulge in free time to think.
4. Get some sleep! Maybe it was the sun, maybe it was the black-out curtains, or maybe it was the relaxed state of mind. In any case, I fell asleep early and felt rested in the morning. Hallelujah!
5. Feeling refreshed when you return. I feel like I was away for a month, which makes me feel like I'm getting a fresh start on things. I came up with some new ideas while away, and am eager to keep up this level of excitement. Things that were bothering me before I left, don't seem so ominous right now.

What do you like most about getting away?

Lessons learned

The saying about learning more from your mistakes than your successes is something I totally agree with. A couple of years ago, I got a call from a company I was working with, asking if I would agree to a certain monetary deal. I completely take the blame for mishandling the situation, but I had just walked in from a great meeting when the phone rang, so I was in good mood, and caught off guard. Foolishly, I agreed to the deal on the spot and then beat myself up about it when I had a moment to review.

After a while, I realized that it was a small price to pay for the huge lesson I learned. From that point on, I never agree to anything (within reason) without sleeping on it first. Taking that time might reveal something you can't think of "in the moment". I always like to think that that one lesson shielded me from making a bigger mistake later. Whether it's true or not, at least I can sleep at night.

Sidebar #1: What would you like to see more of? Book reviews? Tips? Stories? Anything else that's missing? I am at your beck and call.

Sidebar #2: I'm headed to Florida for a couple of days, so you won't see any new posts till the end of the week. But I promise to come back refreshed and ready to blog!

One red paperclip

Had to share this. Amy passed this story along to me and I thought it was brilliant. Here's someone doing something really creative. Talk about turning things on their head to find a different solution!

Check out: oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com

What will you trade me for a 95-pound Golden Retreiever with a behavioral problem?

My line of sight

I try to focus on what's in front of me - literally and figuratively - and today it's all about the literal.

My desk is where I spend the majority of my time, so I make sure that when my eyes wander from the computer screen, I see things that motivate me or make me smile; inspirational quotes, funny pictures, my goals for the year, motivational notes and personal mementos. I don't have any rules for what gets pinned, taped or propped up around me - and I regularly rotate my little shrine. I like that wherever I look, I see something that makes me feel good.

What's in your line of sight?

Q&A: The big break

What was your first big break in the business?

Less than six months after my first trade show, I got a fax from a buyer for Nordstrom ordering for all their California stores. It was the biggest order I had received at that point, for a whopping $9000 (1/3 of my yearly pay at my last job) and I was shocked. It's not that I didn't see the company being a success or being big, it's that it made it real. Between the big name and the number of zero's behind the nine - it validated my venture. They didn't even try to drive my price down, which is why I will always have an undying love for Nordstrom. That, and the lounge-like bathrooms that could house a small village.

Oh yeah, and the shoes.

What do you consider to be your big break in your career?

My magazine "issues"

I have admitted before that I have an obsession for magazines. I have to be careful in the grocery store not to pick a slow-moving line, or I'll be tempted to pick one up and then it will be added to my ridiculous collection at home. The worst part is - my weakness is exacerbated by my job. 1. It's part of the market research I have to do 2. It helps me to read what my customers read 3. That's how I get most of our editorials on our products.

That said, I stumbled upon a new magazine called "Wondertime" and had to pass it along. After flipping through a couple of pages, I realized that it was different from all the other parenting magazines out there. The focus is on the "simple joys of raising a child, and to see the world as our children do - as an awe-inspiring place"

My favorite article ("Dalai Mama" by Catherine Newman) was written by a mom who strives to work less on her to do list and more on the here and now of raising her kids. Other articles ranged from how to raise a kind child to teaching your kid to love books to relaying your family's history. I loved the overall feel of the magazine and thought it was very well done. If you pick it up, let me know what you think!

What are your favorite magazines?

Success as a Springboard!

I was glancing through a book I haven't picked up in a while, "If it ain't broke... Break it" by Robert J. Kriegel and the first page I turned to had the word "Springboard" in bold - so it caught my eye. The section is about not sitting back and reveling in your success, but using it to get even further.

"Use success as a springboard, not as a pedestal. A pedestal is static and presents a big stationary target, which makes it easy for someone to knock you off it. A springboard keeps you in motion, continually reaching for greater heights."

I try to take advantage of some of our successes. For example, when I knew I was going to be on QVC, I sent out a press release about our good fortune to a number of magazines and newspapers and in turn, was featured in three publications. It wasn't just to let them know that they could buy our products at 4 am on QVC (that was a bonus!), but really it was to build credibility through the QVC name and get attention for the company by making our own news.

What have you used as a springboard?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I've been asked this many times, I guess because no one can imagine that you dream about making soap when you're little or majoring in soap-making in college (neither of which I did.)

I think I was a budding entrepreneur in the womb; I was probably developing products to sell to the other babies in the nursery. From very early on, I would create new products and be convinced that they would actually be brought to the marketplace. I created a cartoon strip that I honestly thought would be next to "Peanuts" in the Sunday funnies. I fashioned an E.T. figurine that had a toothbrush where his magic finger was; I was sure that would get kids to brush their teeth. I wrote a "family newspaper" that was chock full of breaking news about the other 3 people in my family, that I would then sell to these same family members for a quarter. I started a jewelry company called, "Bead it", a small symbol of my infatuation with Michael Jackson. When I found out 20 years later that someone had actually used that name for their store, my father said reluctantly that he knew he should have trademarked some of my ideas.

I wasn't just playing for the sake of play, I always thought the end result would be seeing it on store shelves. As I got older, career choices ranged from archeologist to veterinarian to magazine publisher, but I was constantly creating new products that fell just short of mass production.

It's interesting to think back on the things that you wanted when you were young and how things have changed (or not changed, in my case) My parental units fostered creativity and the belief that we could do anything, which I think ultimately led to my sister and I creating the line of empowering baby gear. When you believe that you are creative, confident and powerful, anything is possible.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Were certain paths encouraged by your parents?

The Pay-off of Spring

My sincere apologies for being M.I.A. for the past couple of days, but I am a firm believer in playing hooky every now and then, and when the cherry blossoms are out in D.C., I can think of no better excuse. Friday was one of those days -- a cloudless sky, 70-something degrees, and gasp-inducing pale pink blooms seemed to spring from nowhere. Again, I'm reminded why we put up with winter... the payoff is just so great.

Speaking of pay-offs, I sometimes wonder whether owning my own businesses are worth everything I've put into them; the money, the sleepless nights, the lack of a reliable paycheck, the stressful days when I'm ready to give it all up and be a meter maid (Not that I would do that - I think that's got to be a terrible profession. I hope my large readership of meter-maids doesn't revolt, but seriously, nobody is ever happy to see you.)

Anyway, I'm always amazed how one tiny, miniscule piece of news can send me on a high. Hearing from a magazine I've been trying to get into, getting word that a large chain is interested, or even getting an e-mail from a happy customer, can turn my day around and remind me why I chose this life. Just like a gorgeous spring after a particularly cold winter, I remember what I'm doing it for... because this is what I'm most passionate about and because I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

What is your pay-off? What makes it worth it for you?

Buzz, Buzz, Buzz!

I mentioned "The Anatomy of Buzz" by Emanuel Rosen on Tuesday, but thought it deserved it's own post. While Part 1 was necessary to understand how buzz spreads, I really enjoyed Part 2 and 3 the most. That's where the author delved into why certain products are successful in generating buzz and more importantly, how your product can do the same. He addresses the difference between using advertising and creating buzz and how they can work together.

The last chapter, "Buzz workshop" really spurred some creative thinking for me - I think I wrote down 12 new ideas that popped into my head in that one chapter alone.

Let me know if you read it and what you thought.

"The Artist's Way" Wednesday - Part 2

(Sidebar: read last Wednesday's post for background)

Here's another fun activity from the book...

Tool: Time-outs
As surprise enters your life, spontaneity increases. As spontaneity increases, so does the sense of play. Because creativity is really more accurately thought of as intellectual play than work, learning to play is pivotal. Time-outs teach us to play, and playing helps prevent burnout.
So begin. Once a week for at least one hour, take yourself - the part of yourself that you thinkof as your Inner Explorer - on some small festive adventure. Surely there's some place or activity you've always wondered about. Your time-out is your chance to go there or to try your hand at something new, to explore your wonder... Think mystery, not mastery. Time-outs are about awakening our sense of wonder. They are not about self-improvement.

I know you can probably come up with 15 excuses of why you can't do this; you have a pending deadline at work, you're a busy mom, or you have about a trillion errands to run (or all of the above) - but that's who needs it the most!

Get out there! And be sure to share what you did on your time-out!

Learn a lesson from your Birkenstocks

Building off of yesterday's post about changing your direction when necessary - I'd like to share a story I read in the book, "The Anatomy of Buzz" by Emanuel Rosen (I'll post a review on Thursday.)

When Margot Fraser decided to market German-made Birkenstock sandals in this country, she first went to the most natural channel: shoe stores. She found, however, that this channel was unwilling to sell the shoes. Shoe store owners didn't believe that the product would be accepted by Americans. When Fraser displayed Birkenstocks at a shoe trade show, the reaction was so bad that she decided to leave early, despite the fact that the show organizers were going to penalize her for leaving the booth before closing time. "I picked up my stuff and escaped through the fire exit," she recalls, laughing.

So shoe stores were out. Who else would be willing to champion such a strange-looking product?A friend told Fraser about a convention of health food stores that was taking place in San Francisco. Fraser rented a table at the show. "I just talked to people going by: 'You know you ought to try this.' And that's how it started." Owners of health food stores were somehow more receptive to the unconventional sandals, and many of them bought Birkenstocks for their own use. When they got back to their networks, they buzzed to their customers about the magic of these sandals. The word about Birkenstocks initially spread through the networks of health food enthusiasts... The few stores that started to carry the product gradually gave it the validation it needed in the traditional channel.

I think it's a great example of how to access your situation, determine another course to take and do it!

There a quote I heard years ago that has always stuck with me - but for the life of me, I can't find out who said it! I did a search on the quote and it's like it never happened. I swear I'm not making it up! I apologize to whichever famous baseball player I'm not giving credit to. Update: I was flipping through the book, "Marketing Outrageously" by Jon Spoelstra and one of the first pages I turned to had this quote in huge print. Turns out it was major-leaguer Willie Keeler who said it. Ahhhh, now I can rest easy.

"I know where they are, so I hit where they ain't" - Baseball player explaining his strategy on hitting the ball to open spaces in the outfield.

Change your course

Ok, I'll admit it, I feel like I have been in a holding pattern for a little while now... I have a lot of irons in the fire, but it seems like nothing is happening. To make matters worse, it's not just one thing, it's on many fronts. That is supremely frustrating when you put a lot of thought and effort into something, and feel like you're spinning your wheels. I'm not stuck in a creative rut (I do take my own advice from my posts!), it's that I feel like I'm hitting a wall despite creative thinking. That was until Saturday, when I had the time to sit down with a good business book and open my mind to new ideas.

Like I said, I have been hitting this proverbial wall, backing up and going forward again (I am persistent!) But something occurred to me on Saturday and was reinforced on Sunday in a conversation with my sister. It was simply this: when you hit a wall, change your direction. That is not to say, pack up your bags and go home, rather; gather yourself and keep moving. Even if you don't alter your course all that much, you won't feel like there is only one option out there.

Whew... I feel better now. What do I owe you for my therapy session?

Q&A: Stuck in a rut

What do you do when you're stuck in a creative rut?

There are 2 options...
1. Power through it.

• Put on some good tunes. Pick something that isn't too distracting, but puts you in a good mood.
• Change your scenery. Gather your stuff and pick a different spot. Whether it's a another room, another house or another town - get going! A fresh environment can lead to fresh ideas!
• Enlist the help of others. Pick the brain of a friend or co-worker (Chester always has great ideas!) It won't take a lot of time; a word or two might trigger different thinking and give you an alternate perspective.

2. Leave it alone.
If I've tried all the tips above, and I'm still coming up dry - I just put it away for another time. Usually, I'll wake up days or weeks (hopefully not months!) later with the perfect solution.

What do you do to combat a creative dryspell?

Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures.

While cruising the aisles of the grocery store today, I thought about how it's the little things that make me happy. Besides finding tiny votives that smell like cake batter on aisle 9, these are a few of my favorite things: (and, no, it's not when the dog bites)

- a bouquet of tulips in spring colors
- an unexpected lunch date with Kevin during the work week
- finding something that I was willing to pay full price for, half price!
- luscious lip balm
- a big hug from my 3-year-old nephew
- stationery that I look forward to writing on
- a crisp, sunny day that I get to spend outside
- getting a gift that I know someone put thought into
- a really good pedicure
- fun flip-flops (to show off that pedicure)

What small pleasures do you relish?

"The Artist's Way" Wednesday - Part 1

I was rereading parts of "The Artist's Way at Work" last night and I remembered how helpful I found the exercises to be in unlocking creativity in business. I really recommend doing the 12 week program, but I'll share a different exercise every Wednesday to get you going!

Tool: Imaginary Lives
"If you had five other lives, what would you really enjoy being?... Don't be sensible here! The point of these lives is for you to have a good time in them, a better time than you might be having in your life as it's currently constituted."

I'll share my other outlandish career choices in the comments section. No pressure for you to share yours (unless you want to!) but I'd love to hear what you learned about your inner career coach!

This book brings the bestseller, "The Artist's Way", into the workplace by using the same tools to achieve creativity and fulfillment not only in your work, but in all areas of your life. I have to admit that I did not do the 12 week regimen back-to-back, as they suggest, but I still culled a lot of great lessons from doing it sporadically.

Don't ask permission... just do it.

I learned something interesting from my dog last night. This is the aforementioned "Naughty Golden Retriever" who is so nice to let us live in his house. The past couple of months have been an ongoing struggle of whether he gets to sleep on our bed or not (I like to say it's a struggle, when really - he wins every time.) He has this whole routine down - he beats us upstairs, takes his position with his head resting ever-so-sweetly on the bed, and gets progressively more adamant by the minute. That's when my dear husband folds like a cheap deck chair and let's him up. Lately, it's gotten even worse. He doesn't even bother with the routine now - he slyly adjourns to our bedroom when we're not looking and lets himself up. We don't know this until we walk into our bedroom and see him spread out over the entire bed, without one trace of remorse. (Pictured here)

It got me thinking, who needs permission? I think that when we are faced with the option of doing something out-of-the-norm, we hesitate for fear of overstepping our bounds... "Is that too pushy?", "Am I allowed to do that?"

I recently read an article about bestselling author, Karen Salmansohn that quoted her as saying, "The biggest risk I have taken was probably going up to Madonna at a restaurant with my books and showing them to her. I put down my first book, How to Make Your Man Behave, and she said, 'I own this book. You wrote this?' I said, 'Yes, I'm writing books to empower women.' She grabbed my arm and said, 'God bless you.' " Salmansohn said that everything she's gotten was because she did something she wasn't supposed to... she wasn't "supposed to" interrupt Madonna, but she did, and got blessed by Madonna!

You want to do something? Just do it. (I hate Nike for commercializing that line) What are you waiting for?

The Name Game

I was recently asked about how I came up with the names for the businesses, so I thought I'd share what I've learned...

When I started the soap biz 7 years ago, I arrived at the trade show with sales materials that boasted our name, "Good Clean Fun". Unfortunately, within 20 minutes of setting up I found out that the name had already been trademarked by another bath products company for one of their lines. They had faxed me a demand letter and approached me in the booth to give me the bad news. I collected myself quickly, apologized for my mistake and told them that I would drop the name immediately. Luckily, I had not sold any products under that name, or they would have the rights to that money. It was a rookie mistake, but I was happy to learn the lesson early, before it cost me a lot more.

Two days later, as we were standing in that booth, my sister noticed that the first thing that people said when they walked in was, "What fun!" (I'm not exaggerating, it was like clock-work) Not wanting to learn a lesson twice, Kevin and I made a trip to the US Patent and Trademark Office (don't be too impressed, it was 45 minutes from our house) to make sure we were in the clear. Later on, we trademarked the shape of the soap, thanks to a particularly (and might I dare say, unusually) creative trademark attorney.

• Be broad but specific! I know it's a paradox, but try to find a name that tells what you do, and leaves you enough room to expand later on.
• Create intrigue. I can't tell you how many times I have been asked what "What Fun!" does. Starting that dialogue can lead to interesting things.
• Do a search Before you get attached to a name, use a search engine, domain name registrar and uspto.gov to check if someone else is using that name.
• Protect your name. Even if you don't think you're going to have a web site, register the name (and combinations like it) so you have the option, and no one else does.

Have you learned any lessons about choosing a name?

Channel your silliness

Because it's a Saturday and the day after St. Patrick's Day (I don't know what that means, but it sounds good) I thought it would be okay to be a little silly today. I was reading "A Whack on the Side of the Head" and one of the tips for spurring creativity is to "Try using humor to put you or your group in a creative state of mind", so here goes...

XIII ways to annoy people and amuse yourself

I. Speak only in a robot voice
II. Fill out all forms using Roman numerals.
III. Mail a large letter using one cent stamps.
IV. Specify that your drive-thru order is "to go"
V. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears.
VI. Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and copy them to your boss.
VII. Stare at people through the tines of your fork and pretend that they are in jail.
VIII. Give a play-by-play account of a person's every action in a nasal Howard Cossell voice.
IX. Learn Morse code and have conversations with friends in public consisting entirely of "Beeeeep, Bip, Bip, Beeeep"
X. Follow a few paces behind someone and spray everything they touch with Lysol.
XI. Pay your electric bill in pennies.
XII. Practice making fax and modem noises in public.
XIII. Go to the Dollar Store and keep asking how much things cost.

Have any to add to the list?

Setting Goals

I've been thinking a lot lately about the goals we set for ourselves. Most of the time, it's concrete goals with a number attached like, "I want to do $50,000 in new business this year" or "I want to save enough money to take my dream trip next summer". These goals are important, but what I find even more helpful is creating Emotional Goals - what you want to achieve for yourself, whether it's through your business or personal life.

For example, when we started Itsy Bitsy & Bold last year, Heather and I wrote down what each of us wanted out of the business. We had to think very specifically about what we wanted to put into it and what we wanted to get out of it. Since we both had our own businesses prior to this, we took what we had learned from each and defined what was important to us, as well as what we didn't want.

After my experiences with the soap, I knew I didn't want something that was manual labor-intensive (Shocker - I can be taught!) Our goals were: to create a business that we could later expand on, focus on creativity and great design, and put something out there that had a positive impact on kids. By being clear on what we did and didn't want we were able to form a business that hopefully meets our needs on a personal level and achieves the goals we set for ourselves.

• Think long-term Try to figure out what you want in the end... is it a stepping-stone to something else? Is it something that you can do on the side?
• Ask questions Ask yourself why you want a certain goal. Isolating your reasoning will help you get to the heart of the matter.
• Be specific Paint a picture of what you want and be as detailed as possible.
• Put it in writing I am a huge fan of writing things down. I take it a step further and post in on my desk where I can see it daily.
• Don't be afraid of change Things happen, goals change - reviewing your list and making alterations is just as important as writing them down the first time.

When was the last time you reviewed your goals?

Patience is a virtue, and one that I have not mastered.

I'm back and feeling a little overwhelmed, but excited. I thought the trip was successful and well worth our time, as we got to check out interesting products, see what was missing, and mull over the direction we want to take. Like I said before I left, we were bombarded with about a million ideas, so now comes the hard part; making sense of it all! It's hard for me not to go and act on all the things we talked about, but instead- research, weigh our options, and see if it fits into our plan. On that note, thanks to my sister for passing this quote along!

"Beware of undertaking too much at the start. Be content with quite a little. Allow for accidents. Allow for human nature, especially your own." - Arnold Barnett

My favorite part of the trade shows was meeting the creators of small companies who were doing really creative things. It's funny how that works, but I'm always drawn to smaller companies; they are more likely to take risks and do things a little differently. And I like knowing the person and the story behind the product.

Successful brainstorming

I'm headed out for a 2-day whirlwind tour of a couple of trade shows in NYC. We're going to look for some new vendors, check in on what our competition is doing, and see if we can spot some interesting trends. But what I'm really looking forward to doing is brainstorming with my sister/partner-in-crime. I know that in a very short amount of time about a million ideas are going to come to us - the fun part is being open to all the possibilities.

Here are some tips for a successful brainstorming session.

• Create an atmosphere where no idea is shot down. Picking apart ideas is for later - use this time to engage in a creative free-for-all.
• Take good notes. Write down everything - you never know what can spark other ideas later.
• Don't fall in love with one idea. If you come up with something great, try to push it out of your mind and keep working. Something even better might be right around the corner.

I'm looking forward to coming back and hashing out what's good for now, what's good for later, and what's not good at all. Do you have any tips to add about brainstorming?

I'll be back on Wednesday...

Two CD's you probably don't have

Kevin and I accidentally found Graham Colton Band about a year ago. We went to see another band play in Baltimore and Graham Colton opened for them. Turns out the opening act was better than the band we went to see. I've been hooked on Drive ever since. Good lyrics and really catchy tunes make this a CD you can listen to over and over again.

The other CD that I'm obsessed with is Goodtimenation by Gavin Creel. Gavin is a friend of mine, so I'm a little biased I admit, but I'd love this CD even if he wasn't. He's a supremely talented singer (Tony-nominated), incredible performer and one of the coolest guys you ever want to meet. Plus, he's out there doing it, so you have to support him. It's one of those CD's that just makes you feel good. Go to www.gavincreel.com to check it out.

Q&A: Homework

Question: Do you find it difficult to work from home?

I get this question a lot - most people think that they couldn't work from home because they wouldn't get anything done. It's the opposite for me - working from home is sometimes difficult because I can never really turn it off. When my husband, Kevin, comes home, he can leave work at work (for the most part), but it's a little harder for me. If I have a large order to get out, or some big deadline looming, I don't really have a choice. This was especially hard in the beginning, but I've learned to balance it. I try not to work at night (e-mail doesn't count, right?) or on the weekends. I remember early on someone telling me to "close the office door at night"... I felt like saying, "You obviously have never had your own business." You have to make hay while the sun shines, (insert other corny euphemisms to your liking) so don't beat yourself up - just do your best.

A couple of tips..

• Try to keep certain hours if you can. Following a schedule will keep you in check and won't make you feel like you're working 24/7.
• Make it a point to get out - whether it's to do some market research, scour mags at the bookstore, or meet with other entrepreneurs - you need to get out of the house every now and then!
• Everyone says, "Get dressed in the morning". I say, "Do whatever works for you!" If I feel like staying in my pajamas because I feel most productive earlier in the day, so be it. None of my clients know that I'm wearing my green pajamas pants with orange tigers as I'm taking their order, nor do they care. Well, maybe they know now.

Now, get back to work!

Be a specialist.

No matter what you do, being specific about what you're good at is key. It allows you to focus on that one thing and therefore portrays to your audience that you excel in that area. I have dubbed myself a "creator of innovative goods" and by clearly defining my title, I have made this my specialty.

• List your talents and skills. If someone were to describe you - what adjectives would they use?
• Keep it simple. Even though you're probably good at a number of things, pick the ones you are passionate about.
• Be clear on what you do. Be as specific as possible - you're creating your own niche.
• Promote these skills. However you can, broadcast your new "title".

"You stand in your own light. Make it shine." - taken from a fortune cookie I was lucky enough to get.