The POSHpreneur's Economic Stimulus Plan

Times are tough for everyone...and I mean everyone! I really didn't see this "economic depression" hit me until recently when I found out that many of my family & friends were now without work. It really troubles me to see my loved ones struggle and worry. My plan was of course to pray for them and while praying something hit me...I could help!

I started thinking to myself that I really haven't had a terrible drop in sales...and why not? Well, I make handmade items so that is a plus, people are always having babies, and presents are still being given daily. I guess buying handmade is still something that people value and respect. I haven't bought a birthday or baby shower present in years now that I make everything myself so, why not teach others how to sew a few simple things? So many people have a sewing machine that is not being used so pick it up, dust it off and let's get to sewing!

I'm currently working on a few PDF patterns and tutorials to sell.I'll have everything from making your own labels to my ever-so-popular luxe crib blankets! I think that this is such a brilliant idea because for one, you can make these items for yourself and your loved ones and for two, you could even sell these things yourself! {The items you make not the patterns/tutorials. please}

I'm really excited about this and I hope that in turn, you will be blessed!

MomDot Changed My Life

Was that too dramatic for you? Sorry! I am just beyond thankful to the fabulous women over at MomDot for what they have done for me. I am the lucky recipient of the 1st of 2 BlogHer Mini Sponsorships!

Let me just tell you that Trisha, Alicia & Bridgette are beyond helpful. There 3 women along with all the other super cool mamas are in the forums daily answering questions, offering advice and encouraging others. It's so refreshing to have a core group of friends that I can rely on over there. They are always there to offer prayers if needed as well. It's just one of those warm fuzzy places that I love to call "home".

$200.00 is really not "mini" it is quite helpful if you ask me. I am stoked that I am able to go to BlogHer and meet everyone that I admire. I have to give recognition to the wonderful team of sponsors who made this possible.

I'm in LOVE with Hard Work

"If you want to achieve some really big and interesting goals, you have to learn to fall in love with hard work." - Steve Pavlina

I've always been a hard worked. I've always been on the grind in some way since I started working at age 16. I took a training course in retail merchandising when I was 15 because I loved to shop, loved to sell and loved to make things pretty. It seemed like a good fit! It was a perfect fit for me and I went on to work for a few of the greatest retailers in the US. I just have an eye for that sort of thing and it eventually lead to my own boutique business. It's fun to talk to some of my old "bosses" and tell them that I have my own clothing line now. They always say "I knew you would eventually do your own thing".

I have to say that in the last few weeks I have landed a few assignments from new clients that I am really giddy about. I also love the relationships that I am building with these clients because we all can share something of value with each other. I'm actually waiting for an email from one of my clients about their research in creating their skincare line. It amazes me how little the media tells us about the medical discoveries that are made everyday in relation to our health.

I don't work often on the weekends, if anything I make sure that Sunday is family day and do any work I have left from the week on Saturday. That being said, even when I am not working on the computer I am still working because the hubby and I go back and forth on my ideas and he helps me brainstorm so, I'm working non-stop. You know what? I LOVE IT! I absolutely love working my butt off and having it pay off. Even if the pay off is a simple Walmart Gift Card {thank you, Walmart!}it makes me feel that I am getting a little something extra to do what I enjoy doing to begin with. Isn't that the ultimate assurance that you are doing what you were made to do?

Nearby Now: Instant Gratification for a POSHpreneur

If you are a fashionista on the go, this site is a must-have! Bookmark it now! Nearby Now

NearbyNow is the best thing since the Internet, but even better in terms of getting what you want right away. You can find items in seconds, reserve them at your favorite close-by store and go pick them up immediately if you want. Instead of ordering things online, and then having to send them back (often at your expense if it's not the right size, style or color), you can make sure the item is just when you want when you go to pick it up at the store location.

It also saves you lots of valuable time! We are all so busy and even the joy of shopping can be a headache sometimes so it saves you money by locating the items you want, and indicating where they are on sale. Finally, you save time and money on gasoline by not having to drive to multiple locations to find just what you're looking for. It's the fastest, easiest and savviest way to shop.

Here is the Founder's statement: "NearbyNow was founded to simplify shopping for today’s consumers who browse online but buy in stores. By allowing shoppers to find products, brands, or sales locally, and to scan the inventory at any given shopping center, we provide a convenient shopping experience for the consumer and an effective marketing tool for merchants looking to motivate local customers."

It is so easy to use and I actually have it as an Icon on my IPod Touch and it automatically remembers that I am coming back and I can then easily just add a keyword and search! That is what being a poshpreneur is all about-being in the know on the go!

Let me tell you that this is a definate new fav of mine. Mainly because where I live there is ZERO as far as shopping. I have to drive at least an hour to get to a decent mall and even then, I never remember what stores are there and if they carry all the brands that I love. So, this is a new trusted source for this mama!

Leave Your Pessimism At The Door

In these hard times it is easy to get down and sad about all that is going on in our world...the economy, the tragic deaths, the businesses closing down...it can get to you. Along with reading my Bible everyday I also look to inspirational quotes and passages and found this one perfect! Be blessed!

The Optimist Creed
by Christian Larson

Promise Yourself...

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and
too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Juggling 101: How to Keep It Real

Being a POSHpreneur ain't easy. It's down right exhausting and stressful.
There is nothing like waking up to the love of my life, 2 gorgeous and healthy children and one hyper as heck pupster. Life is really fabulous...but let's keep it real.

The life of a WAHM is a juggling act. We have a home, hubby, kids, extracurricular activities of the kids and our own social lives on top of the business. I'd be a complete liar if I said that I love being a WAHM. That is just the realness. I love that I don't work for someone else-yes...I love that I can be home for my kids and I love that I can pursue my dreams however, I do not love that I have a home that needs to be clean and orderly all while sewing orders, planning new ventures and handling several marketing accounts. I really was considering renting an office space here in my town but, during the winter months the heating would kill me financially.

On some more realness for you, I first and foremost take time for myself. I wake up and brush my teeth and take a shower and then I get the kids ready. I then feed the pup and then feed the kids and myself. It is not until about 10 or 11am that I actually log into my computer and check emails. Even then, I read my emailed Daily Devotion and Rev Run's email. I don't ignore my kids to work, I just don't and it kills me when I read blogs or twitter updates where mothers are saying "Ignoring the kids to finish this blog post" COME ON, now! There is never ever ever an OK time to ignore your children if they need you. How you do you in your home is your business I guess but please don't twitter that. It's sad.

I guess my point of this post was to outline some ways to juggle your life as a WAHM:

- Take a shower daily No matter what please do this for yourself and see how wonderful you feel...it can be done.

- Family FIRST! At the end of the day your family is what will always be there for you, not the internet

- Prioritize & Plan A little planning goes a long way! You know your kiddos better than anyone else so plan around naptimes and snacktimes to make those calls and write your blogs

- Be Honest I know that I respect someone who can be honest with me more than someone who just avoids me. If you follow up with clients and or partners they will surely understand and respect you more

What are some of your tips for juggling the WAHM status?

Quick--Who Are You?

"What’s your brand? If you can’t answer that question about your own brand in two or three words, your brand’s in trouble." - Al Ries

As I mentioned already, and teased a million and two times, I have a new venture underway. I still can't tell you much besides the fact that this is the 1st time that I am working with someone else to create a product. Truth be told, this is a huge huge milestone for me. I don't trust easily when it comes to business. We can save that for another post.

I think the hardest part of it all is the need for me to be nice to everyone. I don't take pride in being a tad of a control freak but in business I try to make all parties involved satisfied. In this, I often find myself being more passive then I would like. In branding this new venture I am trying to stay focused on the fun and light spirit we are creating.

So, for you all...tell me in 4 words or less what your brand is?

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle...

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the WORLD! In the blogsphere it can be said that we rule the interweb. Don't laugh, it's not funny it's TRUE!

Mom's are quickly becoming the new mainstream. Many companies are learning that blogs can not only boost your business, but working with a known blogger can help you gain exposure all over the US as well as other countries with one simple product review or giveaway.They realize the importance and value of us as partners not just consumers. It's really interesting to see how much my own business has grown thanks to the great relationships I have built with bloggers.

Two-thirds of moms use five or more forms of technology every day to stay in touch with their families, consume and compose content, and manage their lives. That’s according to recent research from BSM Media, published in “Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today’s Mothers by Leveraging New Media & Technology”. As a WAHM I know how much I NEED to get online everyday and as strange as that might sound to some, to a business owner that needs the promotional and marketing help this is perfect. Many Moms need that time online to socialize. We connect with other women and you can be sure that we are talking about products and companies that we love.

A fact that I love to share with potential investors and sponsors is that I have a wealth of resources at my fingertips thanks to all the networking I do day in and day out. Not only do I have strong readership stats, I also have a potential to reach thousands more readers via the several social networking sites I participate in. Think about how many of your bloggy friends are kind enough to re-post and link to your site as well. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and even your family blog can be a tool to use to feed your blog to and reach a larger crowd.

Image by luc legay via Flickr

All you Mommy Bloggers out there: Step up your game! You surely don't want to miss out on this next era.

All you PR agents and Business Owners: Feel free to contact me if you would like to receive assistance with finding the right bloggers to work with! I have a great list!

I'd love to hear all your stories of a time when you approached a company and were one of the first bloggers to work with them. Also, if you are a rep and have questions about working with bloggers I would love to hear them!

Show Me Yours and I Will Totally Show You Mine!

Image via Wikipedia

I'm talking about your NAME! It can be said that anonymity {no joke, I can't say this word outloud--can't pronounce it right! LOL} on the internet is just a time bomb waiting to go off. Think about it, if you aren't too "web-savvy" you don't really know how to track an IP address. You don't know where an anonymus comment is coming from and unless it is life threatening, you really can't do much about it. People are free to offend.

We have all seen the UPPERCASE rantings of a negative review. Also famous are the people who like to use exclamation points in excess to make their voices heard!!!!There are no consequences of this rudeness and annoying behavior, so people get away with it and continue on.

Keep your friends close and your anonymus enemies tracked with IP Address look-ups.

Anonymity creates this atmosphere where others can and will be offensive, irresponsible, defamatory and harrassing. I know that blogging is all about being able to give your opinion and all that but, where is the line drawn of too much? Is that line just blurred?

Product Review & Giveaway: Starlite Skin Care Laser

Illuminate the beauty of your skin with Starlite

I have to admit that pre-WAHM status I was quite the spa junkie. I spent countless dollars and hours on spa treatments. The mere mention of Botox at 28 years old makes me cringe {although a Botox consultation revealed that I could "easily" use 7-10 units! WOW!}. So, I want to look fabulous because well, I am! With a limited income for procedures, let alone the time and money to go to the spa once a month, I had been searching for something to do. I have acne scars, blotchy skin and just felt that was taking a toll on my self esteem.

I was completely ecstatic when I received an email from Starlite. Starlite is the first in-home laser + LED device to stimulate natural anti-aging processes. Starlite was developed with the same technical standards as high-power cosmetic lasers, yet it operates at a lower power that is gentle and safe for home use.

Diminish wrinkles, fine lines, and restore a youthful radiance to your skin while on the telephone, reading a book, watching TV or whatever your busy lifestyle dictates. I use mine while watching tv and the time goes by so fast!

Just 10 minutes twice a day naturally stimulates collagen production without any heat, discomfort or harm to your skin. It’s also a wonderful product for the eco-chic mama who lives a more natural and green lifestyle as there is no need to place chemicals on your skin and the unit lasts for tens of years, reducing the need to buy and throw away containers of expensive creams and lotions.

I personally use mine on my cheek area where I have the scarring from acne. I also use it on my forehead where I honestly have a wrinkle already {mostly from the sun...squinting eyes, etc.} and I have noticed a remarkable difference! My scars have faded and the wrinkle is not nearly as deep as it used to be. I am sure with even more use, it will just keep getting better. Oh and the spotted skin, no more! That actually went away pretty fast.

Another great use for this is to boost my lips plumpness! It can help with collagen in your lips! Bonus!!

Here is some info from their site:

Starlite is the latest development in personal skin rejuvenation products. Starlite was developed with the same technical standards as high-power cosmetic lasers, yet it operates at a lower power that is gentle and safe for home use.

Starlite uses low power medical grade 655nm red spectrum soft laser technology combined with effective 940nm infrared spectrum pulsed LED light energy. The condensed light provided by the StarLite low-level laser can stimulate cellular processes including more effective and faster cell renewal, the absorption of vital nutrients needed for repair, collagen production, ATP (energy) production and stimulation of the mitochondria in skin cells.

How does Starlite® work?

The beneficial light energy from the sun is a primary source of cellular energy for most life forms on earth. The light energy emitted from Starlite is the same wavelength as the cold red spectrum of sunlight without the skin-damaging ultraviolet A and B wavelengths.

Starlite's output has a distinct advantage over naturally-occurring light energy through the density or abundance of energy. It provides better penetration of the top layers of your skin even when it is toughened or "weathered" as the result of aging and other factors. You will notice the laser light is very bright, an indicator of the abundance of energy, yet it is safe on your skin. There is no heat or other physical sensation during or following laser use. The laser can even be used on sensitive skin without redness or irritation.


I'm a big one for helping others and of course, Starlite also donates a dollar of every sale to the Children’s Skin Disease Foundation (www.csdf.org.

Retail cost for one of these serious MUST HAVE'S is $165.00-$199.00 which is actually an amazing deal considering the lifespan of this product and the results which you can see here BUT, I happen to have one for one of you to WIN! ;)

How to enter to WIN a Starlite Skin Care Laser

I urge you to check out their site and read the Clinical Studies page, the About Starlite page, and read the F.A.Q's and let me know what your take is on something like this? Would you be willing to pay the retail amount for the convenience of having an at home low-level laser? What are your opinions/concerns/thoughts on the whole product and idea?

Want extra chances to win? Well, of course you do! So, you can get extra entries by Twittering this giveaway and Blogging about it! Please be sure to submit separate comments with links for these entries.

Have you joined me on The Launchpad?? Where have you been?? If you are a blogger or a small business considering getting into blogging then you need to join us! We are also giving one away there!

Good Luck! **Contests ends: April 1st, 2009**

A Blogger MUST-HAVE!

I was super stoked when I came across Zemanta! It is my new BFF considering how easy it makes it for me to add photos, references and even tags to my posts!

I totally sound like a commercial but, this is really awesome. I am sharing this with you all so that you can also benefit from the cool features likes posting links to your own related articles.

It's really neat and you should check it out. It's a quick download and you are all set! It automatically launches when you log into Blogger. I am pretty sure you can also use it on Wordpress.

Enjoy this fun new tool! I am!