Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

Friday, March 9, 2012

All the moments add up

Happy Friday! It's a super, BIG, fun weekend ahead! My little dream team and I are attending the Playtime show and the ENK show. We're walking the floor to check out space, layout and to get inspired. Then, we're out for drinks to discuss and brainstorm! I'm so excited to have a day with these two wonderful women. They have been rock solid in their belief in me, and what the brand stands for. They are crazy talented, and I have a feeling I'm going to want to move into my booth space by the time we're done designing it! Check out Monday's post for a full update. 

As I close the week, and look towards the upcoming weekend. I've been taking note of all those little moments that have added up to what was really a wonderful week. Because when you look back, do you really remember be stuck in traffic, out of eggs, or mail you forgot to send? Probably not, and if you are, start a new mental record! Perception is everything!

Jonah: (Holding up an Olivia pig and handing me Llama) mama, will you pway wif me?
Me: sure!
Jonah: (pig to llama) hi, I'm owibdia. You my friend?
Me: hi, I'm llama! Yes, I'm you're friend.
Jonah: I wuv you (pig kisses & hugs llama) come wif me, wets pway!
Me: (melting)

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Ava: But, I want to take care of Daddy too! Me and Jonah both want to!!
(after being told she was spending the night at her grandparents when Andrew got out of surgery)

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Walking into the market, a little cutie barely walking come careening down the aisle at me, laughing. A few minutes later, still laughing, I saw him nuzzling his mom as well. His mom now laughing too. Buckling my seat belt I faintly heard the now familiar laughter, and looked out my window to see this happy little guy in his stroller laughing, babbling and pointing. I was now laughing too, again. THAT was joy. I'm honored to have witnessed it. And proof positive you can literally share your joy!

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As we discussed new biz seed money
Andrew: Personally I see this as a much better investment of our money.

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Ava rolling in the grass, frolicking around as she giggles and displays the "beeauteeeful" white flowers (weeds) growing in our yard like Vanna White. All the while she's chirping, happily:
it's spring, it's spring! It's so much fun bc it's spring!!

~~~~~~

Andrew making me laugh so hard coffee dribbled out of my mouth and almost out of my nose.

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Geese proudly, if a bit arrogantly, but certainly with conviction of sense of self, crossing the road while 5 VIPs in cars (myself included) are forced to wait, take a moment and watch. We all  look at each other as we pass, waving, laughing and smiling.

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Jonah: Is that mine?? Is that my big one? Actually, I want a big one.
little head can be seen over the edge of the counter, as he excitedly bobs up and down on his toes trying to see into the bowls of yogurt Andrew can't fill fast enough

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Beautiful, surprise, 70 degree, sunny walk with Andrew, holding hands and everything.



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Ask for what you want

My children are SO good at this. They always start negotiations with exactly what they want.

Me: Alright, time to make dinner!
Ava: oh! can we have chocolate??

Me: It's time for a tubby and jammies!
Jonah: (leading me by the hand) You come here. I sit lapa you on da couch.

They know what they want. Does that change? If so, when does that change?
When does your position become shades of gray?

There was a point in my belle&beanzer venture adventure where I knew I was just reacting. I was looking to see how I could work with what I got, versus asking for what I want from the start and going from there. I knew I was off. Quite frankly, it pissed me off.

That all shifted about a month ago. In my catch-up post, life is full, I mentioned being
moved forward, creatively. I was referring to time spent working with a friend of mine,
Rebecca Twitchell at Half-Full. I'm going to spend more time on this in a very near future post.
I want to give it the singular attention it deserves, and share the fullness of the changes that have taken place as a result of that work. Very valuable post for entrepreneurs! A huge take-away objective I've gained from this work with her is moving through this obstacle of not taking responsibility for the energy I was bringing to belle&beanzer.

Somewhere along the way in my life, I decided it was safer to come in under the radar.
I don't have any intentions of becoming a rockstar… although, I do looooove to
sing any time, any place! But, I do intend to have a rich, full, abundant business,
and I do intend belle&beanzer to create opportunities to embrace the moment,
and to strengthen the connection between parent and child through smart design.

So, it's a big moment for belle&beanzer right now. I'm meeting with a factory this week that I've been going back and forth with. It's not a perfect scenario, but it's a reeeaaaally good option. They've got an excellent reputation. Their fabrics are top quality. They do beautiful work. They're DOMESTIC!! Frosting on the cake? They recently added solar panels to their factory. Love that! We're discussing all the final details and seeing if it's going to work out. There are other factories I'm going to speak with as well. So, it's not a dead end, even if it's not a now option, it's definitely an option at some point. Ultimately, it's all coming down to now and asking for what I want. Production.

So, I'm going to go ahead and BE responsible for the energy I'm bringing to the factory negotiations,
to my business relationships, to belle&beanzer, and to all my future customers.
I'm going to ask for what I want…
- a strong relationship with a socially & environmentally credible factory
- top quality, eco friendly fabrics (recycled fabric options)
- recycling program
- low minimums
- loads of color options
- within my target price point

Maybe it'll be like with my children, and my answer will be part now and part later…


…nooo, not chocolate for dinner. But, after you eat something nutritious we can have some…

…or maybe I'll get what I want up front…

…okay, love, let's have a cuddle before bath…

I'm not sure what will happen. I'm open to the option that something will present itself that I hadn't thought of, and will work out perfectly. There are many ways to get from A to Z. I'm going to start off coming from a place of exactly what I want, and know I'll get what I need.