Archive for September, 2008:
tackle it tuesday
September 30th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
Tackle it Tuesday was created by the ladies at www.5minutesformom.com, thank ladies for creating this type of post that encourages us to get some project completed no matter how large or small. This week I decided to do something I haven’t done in a long time. I stayed off the computer and didn’t work (I had a few 5 minute lapses, which I have to admit in case some of my twitter friends saw me online).
As most of you know I work at home and have been working hard to get my part-time business enough juice so I can leave the work force and become a WAHM. Unfortunately this plan is leaving me little time to do anything else. This past month I was working full-time, working on a freelance web design project, and working on my store shipping out products, writing blog posts and adding new products.
mompreneur interview: cutie booty cakes
September 30th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
Bizzie Mommy: Renée Ross
Company: Cutie Booty Cakes
Website: www.cutiebootycakes.com
Tell us about Cutie Booty Cakes:
Cutie Booty specializes in Diaper Cakes, cakes that are not edible but are loaded with the essential ingredients all new mommies need - Diapers!!! Cutie Booty diaper cakes are designed to look like real cakes and are great gifts for new parents. They can be given as baby shower gifts, at the hospital, anytime - because every Cutie Booty needs covering!
Our diaper cakes are designed with the discerning customer in mind. Each diaper cake is meticulously handcrafted and made to order. All of the diaper cakes are created with materials of the highest quality - Pampers Swaddlers, silk flowers and top of the line ribbons and decorations. All diaper cakes are wrapped in tulle with a matching bow.
What inspired you start Cutie Booty Cakes?
I have been inspired to create Cutie Booty Cakes by the original cutie booty - Mekhi Eli, my one year old son. I had never even heard of diaper cakes before my pregnancy and now I am in love with creating them! Since I spend a lot of time with diapers I figure why not make it enjoyable?
i kaboodle, do you?
September 27th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
I created a kaboodle account over a year ago and just recently decided to take a look at again. I have to tell you I just love the site. I originally joined the site to promote my own store (www.lalababyboutique.com), but I’m also finding it useful for friends and family. What a great way to sneak in a wish list, without actually telling them what you want. I can hear the dialog now.
Me: Oh (feel in the blank friend/family member), have you heard of Kaboodle.com.
Them: No what’s that?
Me: It’s a social shopping website, you can shop, meet people that have the same interest as you, create lists of your favorite things.
choosing the best shopping cart for your store
September 26th, 2008 / 8 Comments » / by S. Elie
Starting an online store can be challenging, from setting up the business, selecting the right shopping cart system and for most selecting the right developer to bring your vision to life.
I am lucky enough to have a background in web design and development so I don’t have to worry about having someone build the site for me.
However, choosing the right shopping cart is a daunting task. When I first built the store I didn’t want to spend a lot of time on the design so I bought a CRE Loaded template from templatemonster.com (my first mistake). I even hired a programmer to assist me with some minor details. I uploaded the products and then the site was live in a matter of weeks.
That is until I received my first order. It turns out the attributes weren’t saving so I was never able to determine what size or color, a customer wanted this required me to call every customer for every sell. It turns out the template I purchased was missing files (oops), we spent countless hours trying to resolve the issue, uploading new files, reinstalling the shopping cart, consulting with CRE loaded, nothing worked.
on call housekeeping, just what I need
September 24th, 2008 / 4 Comments » / by S. Elie
Well being the “bizzy” family we are, I found another a great reason why we should move back to Las Vegas. That would be the award winning agency, Nannies & Housekeepers USA . I bumped into them last year at a baby expo last summer. Their main focus was nanny services but they have just expanded to provide an on call housekeeping registry.
The housekeeping registry is very affordable.
All of our housekeepers are meticulously screened and must have at least two years experience cleaning with references in private homes!
(more…)
this too shall pass
September 24th, 2008 / No Comments » / by S. Elie
I’m listening to India Arie, I love listening to her music when I’m feeling a little blah. Here music is smooth, soothing and inspirational all at the same time. The song that got my attention this morning is This too Shall Pass, an inspiring song when you feeling blah.
There is so much going on in my life right now, I feel like I am barely hanging on. I sit in my cubicle at work feeling like I am the only one going through so much crap that it feels like my head is going to explode. Everyone seems so happy, so together. I feel a bit out of place.
But this too shall pass…
So I’m hanging on to those words, what I am feeling, what I am going through will eventually pass and there will better days.
So if you are reading this and feeling a little “blah” then remember India Arie’s song, download it if you have to, This too Shall Pass.
wordless wednesday
September 24th, 2008 / 4 Comments » / by S. Elie
mompreneur interview: cgc connections
September 23rd, 2008 / No Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Christie Crowder
Company: CGC Connections
Website: www.cgcconnections.com
Blog: www.chrisitecrowder.com
Tell us about your business
I am a certified Life Enrichment Professional or more commonly called Life Coach. My company is CGC Connections - Life Coaching for Women. My practice is centered around helping women change negative thinking, embrace imperfections, look beyond labels and learn to live in and love the chaos of our every day lives.
What inspired you to start your business
I have always been passionate about helping women but I think having children really did it. I had another business prior to this one and also wrote two books… one of my own (Your Big Sister’s Guide to Surviving College) and the other I co-authored (A Book Is Born). Wife, Mother, Author, Entrepreneur… I was constantly being asked “How did you do it?” I was always telling other women my story and I soon found that I was truly inspiring them to think out of the box and get creative about what they really wanted in life. I got really charged up when they would call me or e-mail me months later and tell me how my encouragement lead them to pursue their passions. I soon realized that I had a “calling”. I also wanted a simpler life… I was working long and physically demanding hours which was fine when I didn’t have kids. I wanted more control of my schedule and work load.
How long has your business been in business
About 2 years
What did you do in your past work life
For 7 years prior to becoming a coach, I owned and operated a Facilities Project Management company that specialized in corporate office relocations. Basically, I planned office moves for a living.
are you ready for halloween?
September 21st, 2008 / 4 Comments » / by S. Elie
Halloween is just around the corner, I just can’t believe how fast this year is going by. I can’t believe Bizzie Boy will be a year old in just a couple of months. I can still remember being pregnant and feeling him move around. Time is flying by.
Bizzie Princess was Jasmine last year in a cute little pink genie like costume. She didn’t really get “Halloween” last year we took her to a church that had a carnival with games the kids play. It was nice clean and safe fun. Some of her candy got lost on the way home though (not sure what happened to it), I don’t think she didn’t notice.
She found the costume a couple of weeks ago and was ecstatic because she is heavy into Princess, especially the Disney Princess’s. The costume has gotten a little small and Bizzie Princess’s belly was visible so she spends most of the time pulling her shirt up or pants down. She can’t stand to show her tummy. As a mom, I’m not complaining. I hope she feels like that forever.
roles – goals – plans
September 21st, 2008 / 3 Comments » / by S. Elie
Juggling my busy life has been a definite struggle. Trying to get everything checked off my to do list is nearly impossible. And trying to fit it all within a 24 hour a day, 40 hour work week is IMPOSSIBLE. So when I read “How to Structure Your Time” on The Integrated Mother last week, I thought she was talking to me.
Michele mentions an alternative method to schedule your day, called RGP (roles, goals, plans). Instead of schedule your time daily, the RGP approach schedules your weekly priorities. The goal is to shift your focus from the clock to people.
My roles this week:
1. Self/Individual
2. Wife/Mother
3. Employee
4. Business
5. Freelance
What I expect this week:
1. To work exercise back into my daily schedule either by running on the treadmill, in park, or exercise video
2. To find a fun activity for the kids to enjoy over the weekend. Sit down for dinner as a family. Spend an evening with hubby instead of on the computer.
3. Write career objectives and organize contact sheet
4. Add costumes to store, promote on Kaboodle and update other product photos.
5. Complete freelance web design project, check status of pending contracts
Check out How to Structure Your Time on The Integrated Mother.
