Unintentional Hiatus

I took an unintentional hiatus from this blog and a few other things to gather myself and prepare for the sale of my business. No matter how professional I tried to look at it, all I could see was I was selling something that was so dear to me.

I had hoped a nice Christmas vacation to Disneyland with my family would clear my head and bring me home ready to take on the world with my newest venture, Party Gals. It didn't really. All I could see was how many changes were made to the business I sold (I didn't seek them out, I seen them advertised by other wahms) and it truly bothered me. As an artist who dabbled in advertising art in college while earning my degree in animation some things I just see as amateur with cutsie graphics and no real professional presence. I do however see the care taken in marketing.

Today I seen yet another marketing piece with amateur graphics and taking away the essence of the business. I know, I know. But when you put so much into it and you should be looking at it as a business deal and just move on, I just can't seem to do so.

My days have revolved around taking care of my niece and nephew but the days have been split and erratic that sometimes I don't even have much time with my own family. I think some people do forget that and it does make it hard trying to explain that. I have taken steps to begin to keep those days less random so I can spend more time with my family.

With spending so little time with my family I don't seem to find time to cook for them. Either its take out or they have dinner ready by the time I get home. It was really nice to cook them dinner last night and doing so again tonight. It is the little things you take for granted or simply forget the pleasure it does bring to you.

We are leaving again for another vacation in less than a week. It was an unexpected trip that came after a very nice windfall from a remaining held sum from my car accident settlement. We decided to go during the spring and celebrate my son's 17th birthday at Disneyland. We will also be celebrating my husbands birthday with a belated gift of NASCAR. We decided to go with the Budwiser Block Party pack so everyone could go to the pits have a truly memorable first NASCAR race experience. My husband is all about racing so this is especially exciting for him. We order the Southern California City Pass so we will have 3 days in Disneyland, 1 day in Universal Studios, 1 day at Seaworld, and 1 day at the Wild Animal park. We got a great deal on www.getawaytoday.com for these. We arrive a day early which allows us to rest after a 12 hour drive and even visit with some family (we are from CA so lots of family still there).

When we return we have a lot of changes coming our way and will be a lot of hustle. It will be a blessing to go away to relax and come back with a fresh outlook.

Coming back will also open up new life for this blog and give opportunities to new postings as I find new passion in my Party Gals and Baby Bottom Bakes business.

While trying to redirect my thoughts I started a blog about my Disney adventures in and out of the disney parks. Disney is in my life daily. Without trying I have something disney on me at all times. My current purse is mickey, my keys have mickey and minnie keychains, I am often seen wearing a mickey shirt in some way, and I have my mickey necklace I wear from time to time, and my watch that I can never seem to lose (not that I want to). Disney has always brought me great pleasure. Also Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse were my inspirations for going to college and getting my animation degree.

For 3 years I did it all. Upwards of 18 hour days. I think the idea of selling part of that gave way to allowing me to see what was really important to me and also show me I can't do it all. I see so many WAHMs talk about doing it all and taking on more than 2 businesses. I think 2 is tough when done right. Trying to do more, the right way, is nearly impossible if you want to have any personal time or family time. Some will disagree but if we are bring honest about it, something is sacrificed every single time.

No more unannounced, or unintentional, hiatuses.

Side Banners

From time to time I like to share other blogs or businesses in my side column. Being I do not do a banner exchange I clear out banners every 6 months and start new. This keeps things fresh and brings in new and exciting sites for you to view. If you would like your banner shown in the side bar, please comment with your banner link (I am unable to host images for this blog at this time) and url link.

New Changes

This past week I made the decision to close my purse business. It was tough but after a few days absorbing my decision I think it was the best decision. I do have the ability and desire to reopen this at a later date but focus on a retail location supplemented with a website. It will be of course a brand new start including a brand new name.

I have not given up all my business ventures. I have recently joined Party Gals (a romance company) and very pleased with the products, customer service, least amount of limitations in building a business I see fit including adjusting my hostess rewards to go above and beyond what the company offers. I really love the warranty. I can offer my customers up to a 90 day warranty. I have not found another company that can offer the same.

I also have my tea business through Teaporia (http://teatimewithliv.com) and I also have my diaper cake business at Baby Bottom Bakes (http://babybottombakes.com). So while I have ended one venture I still have 3 others going strong and in a direction I am happy with.

What part of "work" in WAHM do some not understand?

I have been a full-time work at home mother for nearly 3 yrs and a part-time work at home mother for several years before. The biggest obstacle I have to overcome (like most WAHMs) is not the obvious - long hours, balancing the home and kids, making the sale. The challenge is getting others to comprehend the concept of working from home. It is automatically assumed I can take time off at anytime. That is not the case. Yes I can flex my schedule if I have notice but I can't just drop and run.

I recently had an encounter where I was given a project because 2 others could not do it. One is college with a young child, no job. The other has a demanding job, no children. Now I can certainly appreciate both of these circumstances as I have been there. Problem is everyone forgot I have a full-time job as a business owner of an online handbag boutique with a consultant program. I am also mom, wife, 2 smaller businesses that I represent that I must work, heading a marketing campaign for an advertising co-op, keeping up the mini business of blogging, 2 fundraising campaigns. Now yes I will say I work more hours than the others and many times I have more stress. It comes with the territory of 80-100 hours a week.

I have to remind everyone I DO work not sit at home eating bon bons watching Oprah. Some do get upset and the first thing that usually leaves their lips is "but I have to work." Yes and so do I. Teachers this year no matter how many times I stated I work from home they always expect that I can drop and run. When I say I can't it is usually something like I thought you were a stay at home mom. No, I WORK.

This mindset is also why so many go into working from home because they don't see it as work. I am wanting to start a local work at home mothers group that not only provides support to WAHMs but also awareness and understanding what a WAHM does on a daily basis. Once all the fundraising, baby showers, marketing campaigns, and the summer craziness has slowed I will work on this idea and put it into action.

Promotional Fillers

In July Liv's WAHM Blog is going to give away Mom Packs™. A Mom Pack™ is a packet of advertising pieces coordinated by individual members in order to broaden their advertising market to expand literally all over the U.S. and beyond. This means your business can be included in this Mom Pack™ for free and sent to other moms all over the US.

This is a fantastic marketing opportunity. You are reaching a new group of people you never had access to before. Mom Pack™ are never sold although you may be requested to provide exact shipping cost to receive one. These are given free to customers so they never have to pay to receive your fillers except for shipping cost when applicable.

You are invited to send fillers in sets of 25 to be included in our Mom Pack™. A filler can be anything from a simple business card to a well package gift with your business materials and samples. Colored paper is eye catching, useful items, candy, and samples bring attention to your information. You want customers to see your information and actually look forward to seeing what you have to offer. Give customers reason to grab yours first.

This does not have to be an expensive venture. Here are some examples of fillers:

• Business postcard with individual wrapped candy stapled to corner.
• Brochure, business card, sample, placed in cello bag, tied with ribbon at top or stapled.
• Business card with hole punched in corner tied to pencil with company name (oriental trading has personalized pencils cheap)
• Instead of a traditional business card, print business cards on magnet sheets. These can be found in the office supply section of your favorite store. If you have professional cards ready to give, you can buy business card size magnets that just adhere to back of business card.
• Part of a toy company? Print up coloring pages with your info at the bottom, attach a business card and a crayon or 2.
• Makeup company? Create a flyer for customer to have 10 of her friends to buy a lipstick and she gets one free. Attach business card and lipstick sample if available.
• Create a flyer about your business with your contact info and a short scavenger hunt (7-10 questions). Have customer complete and contact you to win a prize.
• Seed packet for flowers attaching a label with your business card information. Add a popsicle stick so they can place he empty pouch near the planting grounds.
• Buttons are fun and interesting.
• Create a bookmark with your information.
• With a food company? Offer a recipe card with your information on the back. Include names and how to order items from your company.
• Business card size calendar. Calendar on one side, your business information on the other. Tip cards are great as well. Customers keep these in their wallet and next time they go out to eat, they pull out the tip card and reminded of your company.
• During flu season offer up trial size bottles of hand sanitizer with your business label.
• Scrapbooking companies, create blank or birthday greeting cards. Show off your products and how they are used in the creation of these. Everyone needs a card at some point.
• Gift certificates, coupons, frequent buyer cards are also wonderful fillers.
• Someone who sews? Create coasters to show off your handy work.
  

You can send fillers to:
Olivia Vidal
745 Cherokee Dr
Rio Rancho, NM 87124



Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com

Pampering the Goddess Within Give-away

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Colored & Scented Bath Salts - We start with sea salt, color enough just to tint your bath water and not your skin for a relaxing, luxurious bath.
Celtic Knot Soap (Personal Size) - a wonderful handcrafted personal soap.
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Creating a schedule

With the new changes of having a college student (being my husband) now in the home, I am finding it is necessary to create a schedule so everyone stays on track. I never worked off a schedule in the past for the entire family as I always felt these were so strict. Now that it has become necessary I can see why so many families utilize them. The schedule will be most beneficial when it comes to computer use, meals (including meals on weekends and holidays), family time, household chores, and quiet time to allow everyone time work without interruptions. Our activities outside of the house are also increasing so this will be crucial in keeping up.

One issue I am running into is family functions. While functions within our house are easily controlled, those outside of the house are not. Most times we have family members who relay information about get-togethers and parties just a few days before. No matter how often we have mentioned the inconvenience of this nothing has changed. If we choose not to go due to schedule conflicts it creates tension in the family. In the end it is not worth it. Everyone else chooses to conform forcing us to do the same. In the future I am hoping to find an effective way to convey the respect we need in relation to short notices and the inability to attend when this takes place.

Working around deadlines and prior engagements we are determined to schedule 1 day a month for the family. We each take turns choosing a destination or activity for that month and make the necessary arrangements to follow through. With my son getting older, my husband in college full-time and working full-time, and my business that I operate from the home, I think this is important we find the time and make every effort to spend quality time together.