Friday, January 31, 2014

Day 30-January 30, 2014

I think I have decided on a design for the bags for Brenda's Cause. I think it will work well. Now just to get the first one made to see how hard they are going to be to make. I am taking a pattern for a tissue box cover and using the top (minus the hole) for the bottom and adding a handle. I will post a pic when I get it done.

Day 29-January 29, 2014

Kind of took it easy to rest my foot and decide what I want to make next. I am still looking at ideas. I did get a request for some Goddess key chains. I think I might try that one. There are some other little things I want to make as well.

I am still looking at designs for the bags for Brenda's Cause.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Day 28, January 28, 2014

Well, I didn't go to work today because of my foot. Sent the kids to school at 7:45AM and by 10:30AM we had over an inch of snow on the ground. We don't get snow here in Tennessee. Then the school system calls and said that they would be releasing at 11AM. By noon the kids were still not home just to find out that we were having to go pick the kids up from school because the school buses were stuck. Hubby had to pick them up and almost didn't make it home because the roads are so bad. I finished my project I was working for a customer. Now to start looking at the next project to start. Looks like I will not be going to work tomorrow either because the roads are still too bad. The kids are out of school tomorrow.

Day 27-January 27, 2014

Today was an emotional day. Normally January 27th doesn't go too badly but this year was a little tougher. My daddy was gone 19 years today and I miss him so much. Just when I thought that things could not get worse seeing that I was up all weekend with a sick little one, I go walking across the room and my foot turns over and I end up in an ambulance going to the hospital. I thought that my foot was broken but x-rays said that it was just a very bad sprain. I have to wear a boot for two weeks and then see an orthopedist. I came home and went to bed.

Day 26-January 26, 2014

Worked on crafts and looked up a few new ideas. Hubby and I talked about ideas for things to sell at his tournaments that were baseball related. Temps here are getting colder and everyone is talking about snow. All I can see is getting orders done.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Day 25-January 25, 2014

I am starting the tissue box cover here in a few minutes. I spent part of the day taking care of the little one and watching movies with hubby and the kids but when I finish my tissue box cover I will start making my list of what I want to make and getting started.

I have a ton of ideas but I have a rule to only work on one thing at a time. Keeps me from getting stressed and I enjoy what I do more.

Day 24-January 24, 2014

Finished the coaster set but had to spend most of the night keeping an eye on my little one. I hate that she is so ill. Only thing is that she has a headache and running a fever. Poor thing. I just have to do the tissue box cover now.

I have been thinking more about what I want to do and get my plan together. But have to finish this order first. I know I need a sewing machine for what I am going to do. I will reveal my plan as soon as I figure it out.

Day 23-January 23, 2014

I spent what time I had after work working on the Pittsburgh Steelers Coasters that the customer ordered. Spent some time with the kids and hubby and spent some time resting. I have been thinking about taking my business to the next level and see what I need to do to do it.

I have been talking also about doing a direct sales magazine. I have several that are looking at placing ads. I also have my Facebook page still up from the vendor shows that I used to do and thought about getting some advertising going on it.

I just have to decide what all I want on my website, magazine and to sell. I need to decide if I want to do a regular business or direct sales. I need to decide if my magazine will be online or mailed copy. We will see what I come up with.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Day 22-January 22, 2014

I did work on some things today for a few hours but I am exhausted. I love my crafts but am just so sleepy today. I don't feel very well. I hope I am not getting sick. My joints ache and my head hurts.

I will post the coasters as soon as they are done. There is a lot of detail to it and having to work on my crafts around my full time job is harder than I thought it was going to be but I am still marching on. I have a few things that I am messing around with ideas on. Just have to figure out my next step.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Day 21-January 21, 2014

Well, I have started the coaster set and the tissue box cover of the Pittsburgh Steelers for a customer. It is starting to look great and I cannot wait to find out what they think about it.

I am looking into lapel pins, ribbon pins, and ornament sets to add to my website. Just have to decide which ones to add. I am also thinking about heat/cool packs and pocket packs for the kids.

I am going to make a lapel pin of a ladybug with a crown once I am done with this order. I am going to make more prayer in a pockets and more little coffee cups to put teabags in. I am also going to find plain boxes to ship in and also design my own label to put on the boxes when I ship. I have so many things that I want to do and that will make my business look more professional. I am also going to design invoices.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Day 20-January 20, 2014

I finished the calendar and it sold at the auction for $15 which was not much but still okay since I charge $30 for it. Well, I got an order while I was at work today and started it tonight. I got an order for a tissue box cover and coaster set of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I know it is just one order but it is a start. It is my first official order since starting the business back up. I am feeling really confident about this. I have so many ideas going but right now I am mainly concentrating on NFL and MLB teams but it will eventually get into other things. I will be having some of the holiday items at the holidays but the main thing right now is sports items.

Well, I have kept, so far, to writing in the blog each day and sticking to my goals. I am also planning next to make two little mailboxes for the girls for their Valentines parties. I am also going to make gift bags for some of the ladies at the local cancer center and then will make the kids gift bags for their Christmas parties. I know starting them early will be a good thing because I will have more time to get it done and can do it in between orders.

Well, I will write more tomorrow. I have to get to bed for my day job. I cannot wait until I can stay at home and work on orders all day. It will be a good day when I can tell my boss that I am quitting for good to be my own boss.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Day 19-January 19, 2014

Well, I (I mean we...me and my girls) finished the calendar last night. (Late last night) It looks really good and I am so proud of my girls for pitching in and helping me finish it. I am waiting on the girls to get home from church to go with me to deliver the calendar for the event. It is only right that if they help me make it that they help me deliver it. They are even proud of themselves and they should be. Tonight I will be cutting out coaster sets for them to do on their own. They are so excited. Here is a pic of the finished product. I think it turned out great. What do you think?

Part 2
Well I added more items onto my website. Please check it out and tell me what you think. I have added items for MLB and NFL. Looking into doing a special the week of the Super Bowl and another special during the Super Bowl. Having my own business and being able to do whatever specials I want whenever I want is awesome! It feels really good to have complete control of what I do. I have never felt more positive about anything in my life (other than my hubby and kids) and it feels great!

Day 18-January 18, 2014

Well, I have been working on the block calendar all day but with a little help. My little girls who are ages 9 and 8 both wanted to help so I gave them some yarn and a needle and put them to work...lol. They did so good. The pieces that they did look as good as the ones that I did. I am so glad that they caught on like they did. I told them that I would get them their own project going here in a couple of days when my fingers re-coop from the stitches. I had forgotten how tough it is on the fingers when you have taken as long of a break as I did from my crafts. I will post pics when done.

Day 17-January 17, 2014

I didn't do a lot because I was working on the block calendar for the benefit auction that I was asked to make. Took me longer than normal because I was only able to work on it after work. I will post pics when it is done.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Day 16-January 16, 2014

I don't have much on the agenda today but finishing the block calendar for that silent auction on Sunday. I had spoken to someone a couple of weeks ago about trading online parties but then once I decided to stop selling Thirty-One and start my own business, someone messaged me and asked to swap parties. I told her I was not selling Thirty-One anymore and told her what I was doing and believe it or not she wants me to do an online party with her and booked one with me for my new business! That is so cool! 

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Day 15-January 15, 2014

Well, I have been thinking about this for a little bit but had been still going strong trying to get my Thirty-One business off the ground to no avail. I have not been able to get parties booked and when I ask my upline all I get is to throw my own party or get family and friends to book. There seems to be a couple of problems with that concept. First, I have tried to get family and friends to book but most of the people that I call friends don't live near me. Second, I live in a trailer that we are remodeling and adding on to so I don't have enough room at home to throw a party. I am not a member of a church so I can't ask to throw one there. I have gone through my upline, asked other consultants, even called the corporate office to get more tips. I tell them up front that I have not been able to get family and friend to book and that I don't have room at my home to throw a party. Their response? "Book with family and friends or book your own." Were they not even listening to me???

I sat with my husband last night and we talked about it. He asked me if I were to forget about booking parties would I be able to get orders from setting up at his baseball tournaments. I thought about it and I have had my products set up before and no one would place orders or even book a party so I told him no. I told him that people don't really want to place orders for things that they can't walk off that moment with the product. With my crafts they can do that. So, after talking for it for about an hour, I made a decision. I have decided to walk away from Thirty-One. The only time I am even able to get orders is when I do a raffle and then it is for gift certificates and then half the time they spend on someone else's website (someone that they know personally and not on FB) and I don't get credit for the gift certificate until they spend it on my website. I am barely making enough to stay active. Then I have to spend $60 every 3 months on the add-on kits for the new season because they change catalogs every 3-4 months. Plus paying $15 a month for my website. Really??? I am paying out a lot more than I am making. Then all the hours that I put in trying to book those parties and get those orders. Seems like you have to work 24/7 to even begin to think about getting somewhere. I am staying stressed to make sure that I stay active. It is not worth it.

So, I have some items on my website on storenvy.com and it is a free website. That fits in my budget. I can work when I want. Don't have to worry about staying active or trying to book parties or doing all the work and then give someone else the majority of the money. I feel really at peace with this decision. Now just to find what kind of bags to put the orders in when I sell them at the games.

I am calling the company LadyBug Expression after my little girls. They are 9 and 8 and I call them my little ladybugs. I have called them that all their lives so it is only fitting. I can set up at the tournaments and work on more crafts while I am there as well as work on them in the stands when I don't feel like setting up at the games. I get to do things my way.

I am listing the website and I hope that you take a moment and look at the items and tell me what you think.

www.lbe.storenvy.com

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Day 14-January 14, 2014

I have plans tonight to do my gift bags so that I will have some already made up and start carrying them with me. I am also getting my invites done as advertisements. I have my mini catalogs labeled so that is one less thing to do. I may put the mini catalogs in them and sit at the mall with them with a sign that says "Ask me for a gift bag." and see how that goes.

I am going to go back into my archives and see that I can do to better get my name out there.

Day 13-January 13, 2014

I have a few more ideas going on to help get bookings. I have a goal of 4 bookings by the end of February so I am going to help myself out and tell them that the first 4 that book with me for a party in February and if they book another within six months of the first they will get a free gift at their party but they must keep that booking.

I am also looking at some things to put in the gift bags that I make that I won't have to change out every month. I am also making a few crafts to sell off at hubby's baseball games when I set up.

I am still working on that raffle for the person wanting to sign up under me. I will have to get her going fast. The sooner the better and I am giving away a gift certificate to help her out.

Day 12-January 12, 2014

I am sending everyone emails about booking parties. I am thinking about doing text messages too. I am looking at booking at least 4 parties to be held by the end of February. I am also looking at one recruit.

I am doing a raffle for one person that is interested in joining my team but doesn't have the money to get started. I had someone help me so now I am trying to help her.

I have 4 hostesses in the Hostess Battle Royale but only 2 are participating. They have both invited more than 400 people a piece so we will see how this goes.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Day 11-January 11, 2014

I spent the day posting online about the Hostess Battle Royale and the Party Train. I also have posted about helping others get their own business started. I have been fighting a headache for the last couple of days so have not been working like I should. I will be getting back on track tomorrow and getting new goals set and getting motivated again.

I really love what I am doing and what it stands for. Just gotta keep going until I reach these goals.

My first goal is to get 4 parties booked for the month of February and one recruit. I have one person that is interested in booking a party but just have to get a date set. I also have one that is interested in getting signed up but does not have the money to but I told her that I would help her on that one. We will see how it goes.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Day 10-January 10, 2014

It is Friday night and I have taken a night off. I hate feeling so crummy. Maybe feeling a little better in the morning and will get some work done. My stepdaughter is here so I may recruit her to help me with some things. I need to do some of my invites tomorrow and start putting them out. I am also going to put out my old catalogs to try to get my name out there.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Day 9-January 9, 2014

I have decided to have a Hostess Battle Royale. This is where I have five hostesses that invite people to the party and get as much in orders as possible and the hostess with the most in orders gets the hostess rewards. This increases traffic to your website because of competition and also increases sales. Plus when the customers see that it is a competition and we are having fun with it they will want to do one of their own. We will see how it goes.

Day 8-January 8, 2014

Well I didn't get a lot done but I did start a Party Train on Facebook. That is where you post a link to your party and when your orders get to $200 the party closes and one of the people that placed an order gets the hostess rewards and then the first one that placed an order on your party starts the next party and it keeps going from there. I am about $130 away and just started it yesterday. Not bad for a start.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Day 7-January 7, 2014

Here is what I have done so far. I have made my list of names and emails. I have entered the emails on my website. I have sent emails about booking parties. I put the labels on the back of my mini catalogs and got my "mobile office" together. Tomorrow I plan to make some gift bags but don't know what all to put in them. I am also thinking about different places to leave some of the mini catalogs and also have all of the invitations in my mobile office with different colored pens to work on during my lunch tomorrow to leave out places. I also still need to get the back window of my car cleaned from the last decal that I had on there that you could barely see but the new one is sooo much better.

I will write again tomorrow to update on further goals.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Day 6-January 6, 2014

I didn't get anything really done today but I did book an online Facebook party. I need to get a few more under my belt and looking at talking to a couple of people about either booking a party or joining my team. I am also going to look into some events in the area and see what I can find. I will also look at setting up a booth at the flea market to get some exposure.

Hubby will be starting umpiring again soon and I will be able to set up at his games. I am going to make gift bags out of my old catalogs and also going to take the invites and fill them out as advertisements. We will see how it goes.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Day 5-January 5, 2014

Well I did complete a couple of things off of my list. I did make a list of friends names and email addresses and I added them to the website. I also sent an email about helping me get to conference. I am really tired and feeling like crap. We are supposed to be getting snow tonight so I don't know if we will be working tomorrow or not. I will have to wait to see what happens in the morning. I will be putting the labels on my mini catalogs and getting them ready to give out. I also need to get my invites done so that I can start putting them out. I need to get Terry to help me clean the back window of the car to put my decal on to help me get my name out there.

I am really starting to get excited about my business. I just need to get the first couple of parties booked. Then everything else will come after that.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Day 4-January 4, 2014

I was thinking this morning about what I was doing one year ago today. I was getting laid off from the temp job that I was at for 2 1/2 years. I was on the same assignment for that long and they let me go because I was pushing getting hired in. I think back on that day and realize that I have come a long way since then. I have not only found a job where I am full time but also I have started this venture and am stress free and happy. Things are starting to come together more than I have realized now that I think about it.

Here is my to-do list:
  1. Put labels on the mini catalogs that I have to hand out.
  2. Make my list of names and email addresses.
  3. Add contact info to website.
  4. Send email from website about booking parties or catalog shows.
  5. Send email from website about joining my team.

Day 3-January 3, 2014

I didn't accomplish anything that I wanted to do the other night and last night was no different. I have not been feeling well lately so I really need to get back on track. I need to get motivated and get back on track.

I am doing a raffle now for a Deluxe Utility Tote and I really hope it goes well. I am also waiting on my husband to get home with more tape. I can use my Fall 2013 catalogs and make some gift bags to give out and will be doing a book and look and give one item away with the first 4 bookings. Let's see how this goes.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Day 2-January 2, 2014

Here it is the second day of the year and I am really feeling positive about my game plan. All I need is to book 4 parties this month and get one recruit. Shouldn't be too hard. If I get 4 parties this month and each are $200 which is the minimum for a party then that would get me $200 in commissions for the month. That doesn't sound like a lot but it is a start.

Here is my to-do list:
  1. Put labels on the mini catalogs that I have to hand out.
  2. Make my list of names and email addresses.
  3. Add contact info to website.
  4. Send email from website about booking parties or catalog shows.
  5. Send email from website about joining my team.
I will post tomorrow about how many I got done and what my next step will be.

Day 1-January 1, 2014

I am keeping this blog for the next 365 days to document my progress for my goal of being a stay at home mom by New Year's Eve 2014. I sell Thirty-One and will be doing daily updates on what my plans are and how I did with my to-do list for the day.

I have a plan and will be making daily to-do lists to reach my goal. Here is what I have for each month as a game plan.

Starting with January I will book 4 parties ($200 minimum) and that will start me out getting $200 commission for the month. I will increase this by one party a month through December. I know this is not going to get me to where I really want to be but it is a start. I will be keeping a spreadsheet of how far I am from my goal or how far over I get. I will also be looking at recruiting one person to my team per month. by the end of the year I should have 12 people on my team.

Wish me luck.