Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Stop waiting for them to validate you..new work and why you must believe first

I am working on some book covers for a series of books. Its nice being your own designer you don't have to ship out work. But onto the post. I remember submitting a book proposal to an author on african american hair before Chris Rock's Good hair came out because i had always wanted to write about it. The publisher told me it wouldnt sell. UMMMMM? I can't even TELL you how many natural hair blogs there are from curly Nikki to natural chica to on and on and on and on. Seriously, I wonder if this guy ever wondered if he maybe didn't make a error in judgement.

Thanks why YOU MUST believe you have what it takes, but NOT everyone will see the vision at first. IF i had listened to people who didn;t know my worth or abilities i d be up the creek without a paddle. You have got to jump out there. ONLY you know what you are capable of, how do you explain GOD to someone who's never experienced them for themselves. Exactly...ANYWAY this is a cover i did in PICMONKEY bc im poor and don't own photoshop. I thought it came out pretty well considering.


If i waited for other people to give me an opportunity it might not have come. So sometimes you must just do it anyway and if it works, it works. 

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Why your not making money on ETSY

I know this sounds like a negative post. but really I must be honest. Especially if you consider yourself a Christian business, there are probably reasons why you are not making money on ETSY. The following are some reasons i came up with this are not necessarily spirit led, only you know what God is telling you but they are some thoughts.

Reason 1. You are not following ETSY's rules. 

How you get something matters as much as getting it. Okay, i know you don't like to admit this, but even the internet has rules. You know the policies and terms that most ppl breeze past like they don't matter. Have you ever thought to think that they do. (see Moses and circumcision) are their rules that you thought weren't necessary but BEFORE you started your business did you factor all these things in?

Are you legally registered in your state, is it a hobby? Are you following all the shipping rules etc etc. There is a reason for the hold up and perhaps if you know what you weren't doing you would do better.

I used to think i would just be blessed just because i was, who i was. After all I have a cute product and ppl who have less talent are making money. Well.... that may be (PRIDE)  but perhaps they follow the rules and you don't God is no respecter of persons.

Reason 2. You are not prepared

have you thought about the fact that you can't handle more than what you have right now. You have a baby, a husband and a home and you are looking for 10,000 orders of stuff. Do you know that you have to have shipping labels, costs for postage, TIME and energy to create stuff, patience and time to deal with customer issues if something goes wrong. While you are himming and hawing about sister over there selling a BIZILLION bracelets with little stones have you THOUGHT about what she is able to do?

Perhaps she has time that you don't or ability that you don't (as tough as it is to admit) or RESOURCES that you don't. If you want what they have you have to DO what they did, and if its not worth sacrificing then don't complain. ( i love you really I'm not trying to be harsh)

AND 3. It's not the right (FIT) medium
Let's face it, if you have other priorities that you need to focus on, and running a business on ETSY is W.O.R.K. I've seen peopl selling random stuff make money are your gifts worth wasting just to sell out for a buck. There's BRIKA and artfire, not as popular BUT you might want to check it out!

 And if you dont have the energy to do it, ETSY may not be the BEST vehicle for you. That's not to say their aren't other avenues for your sales and Talent. Don't get mad because other people are successful and you feel like a failure, maybe its not the right FIT. The biggest disservice you can do to yourself is to try to be something or someone that you are NOT. Go with what works for YOU! If you are getting sales other places, like selling AVON or even at the church picnic DO THAT. Everything is not created for EVERYBODY. Don't feel like a loser, find your winning team and GO there.

4. You are lazy with the little bit you have

It says 'don't despise small beginnings' (bible) and you have sold ONE item. WELL, are you doing all you can, if God doesnt want you to do something trust you will know. There will be NO FRUIT. So let it go!

Also if you haven't done anything with the little, WHY on earth would GOD give you MORE. NOW we are talking about saints. there are wicked ppl selling on ETSY everyday who are making money now some of that money sticks and some of it doesn't the fact is we can't know everyone's personal situation. besides even if you had the money would you KNOW what to do with it. Instead of feeling like a loser do a Jerry Mcquire and take your ONE client and take it all the way.

5. It is not cost effective
Perhaps you spend more than you earn on etsy. Why waste money.

Between photoshoots and costs for supplies etc etc etc etc etc etc. YOU must know if the amount of energy you are spending on what you are doing is GOING to give you a return that is WORTH your effort. Nothing worse than wasting pearls on swine (not saying Etsy is swine, its lucrative for some) b/c you will be mad you spent all the time and effort if you aren't making anything.


6.  No one wants what you have to sell

I know you love the little Chia whatevers...but lets face it. if no one wants what you have to sell its a waste of time....Period. Find who DOES want what you have and sell there. Even Jesus said 'Shake the dust...' some people will never want what you got, so don't cry just go to the one's that DO!

7. You didn't even BOTHER to pray or ask GOD what HE thinks.

This should be first but since if your reading this you are already having a little trouble i figured you may have forgotten this step anyway. Perhaps God is not even ON the money thing, but the OBEDIENCE thing. Some people work for the sheer joy and the results are not that important.

You know if its all about the money theirs lots of things you can do. But if you are REALLY doing this for the right reasons, using your gifts or simply to fill a need. Have you checked your motives?

 Are you selling because you just want to be like someone else...Probably not a good reason. Are you doing it because you truly love what you are doing and could care less if you make money or not ( money is a good reason depending on what its for)  if your motives are right the rest will come.

Selling a bizillion "chia whatevers" just because you see someone else doing it isn't the right reason. You might get what you want and then you end up in a dead end situation with TONS of inventory you really want out of your house or with people that you never wanted to be around in the first place do a #heartcheck.

You know that Scripture "your gifts will make room for you" (bible/proverbs) yeah its not that hard...Happy selling!




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

embracing weakness...and staying in your lane

Hummingbird
Mike Malz courtesy Flickr

In Business, no one wants to be seen as weak. But being weak can be a clue as to where you need to be. Some areas in business I simply am not good at, and that's okay. In fact there has been a repeated failure I have had and instead of fighting to try to accomplish something I am not gifted at, I am going to allow those who are to do it. There are areas that I have strengths in, and instead of bemoaning the one's that i don't I have decided to embrace the ones i can do and allow others to take up the mantle. Teamwork is important here. Find those who are gifted and can help you accomplish the task at hand will be important. But you must know what you are infact good at, other wise you will be stepping on someone's territory and toes...  

Friday, May 31, 2013

There is no business without community...

Now you business may be a small one or a large well-known enterprise but it most certain cannot survive without people. Not just customers, PEOPLE. Yes customers are people, and if you don't have a relationship with people you cannot have a business. NOW, people will buy from strangers, but GENERALLY if the product reflects their needs as a PERSON. 

When you go to an event, most of the time no one wants to go alone. Even if you go alone, chances are no one will speak to you if you are alone unless they are really really BOLD.

I consider myself a bold person for the most part, however there are times when i need to lean on others.

Business is no different..dearheart

In order to build a community a network of customers, you have to have a willingness to build. Even in the bible there were times when the temple was destroyed and somebody had to make it up in their mind to do it.

So whether you sell sheets or art cards you will need people. Find your people those who share the same ideals as you, and values you do, you need to get to know them. There are people in your immediate community, etsy even blogging who are despite the computer screen are people who may be inline with your community.

When community goes bad..LET's face it there will be some who do not want to know you, and will not think what you have is important or maybe they want to be you! Either way, be gracious and  remember to always shake the dust from you feet. If the community is rejecting you there's a good reason. Either you need to change something or do something to feel more a part or that simply isnt the community for you.

NOTE if someone is asking you to change the thing they want you to change should be something GOD doesnt mind you giving up. If its something GOD gave you and it truly is yours well then maybe you need to move on...but if it isnt then perhaps its something you need to shed. If for instance you are trying to break into business and it is requiring things of you that compromise your integrity think again. You like to BLOG, but in order to blog you need to spend time away from family or other important things, perhaps you need to reconsider. You'll business will grow if you follow the truth, otherwise you may find that you have all this product and no family to help you enjoy it.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Courtesy istockphoto
Hello Lovelies. I have been away for a while but will be getting back into blogging soon. I am thinking of trying faithful bloggers, we shall see! I hope you enjoy your upcoming spring and please keep those in Oklahoma in your prayers!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

So im trying ebooks now!

Adobe InDesign is coming out with coming out with Creative Cloud and I was doing to research on how to create Ebooks and figured out the basics all via the internet, and the program (free) Calibre books. I was really trying to use the code. Well if you want to shell out $$$ you can now have InDesign  Creative Cloud which will give you the ability to creative clean publications with out doing all the code.

But ' i love a challenge' you say, well stay tuned because i will be taking a journey of CODE and trying to develop one from scratch. No MIT degree required. I feel a homeschool curriculum coming on! Have a good mothers DAY! I will be signing out until next week.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Mothers Day is coming..

Mother's Day is only a few weeks away - Sunday, May 12th! Pinterest will be giving me ideas for what to do for mother's day this year. Check out the DIY category if you haven't already i am woefully slow.
***

Cardstore has cute cards! You can add a photo and a personalized note Plus you can personalize the card with your own signature, then Cardstore will mail the cards directly to your mom for free.. I love them, especially the personalized name cards. Details : They are $2.49 Mother's Day cards and the shipping is free.. it gets no better..:)   Please note: Be sure to use code: CCF3425 at checkout its only vaild til 5/6/13.

$2.49 Mother’s Day Cards + Free Shipping at Cardstore! $2.49 Mother’s Day Cards + Free Shipping at Cardstore!
$2.49 Mother’s Day Cards + Free Shipping at Cardstore! $2.49 Mother’s Day Cards + Free Shipping at Cardstore!


I hope you guys a cute Mother's Day ideas this year. Brunch is always good.

Gift baskets Anyone!
 
 
 
This is a two in one post. So I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought PUMPKIN SPICE..now i need to scream..How cute would this be in a basket with handmade soap etc etc etc...so excited!


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