May 2006
I had a great time in San Francisco! It was good to see the CMI people, and I'm sorry to see that Nell had a broken foot! She got around great, though. I enjoyed seeing the other award recipients again and getting updated on what's happening with everyone. The San Francisco award recipients seem like a great bunch and will be an asset to our group.
Jim and I stayed in San Francisco a few days extra and got some R&R. More like exercise and R. We walked uphill both ways everywhere we went, but it was great! I really had a great time--the whole time!
I was on a local AM station (860) this past Monday--an entrepreneurial show hosted by Mike Sformo (www.sformo.us). We had a great time and he was impressed with me and the whole Count Me In program. I am going to be on the "Startups with Joan Durand" show on the Martha Stewart channel on the Sirus radio network. I'm not sure of the airdate, but we tape the show on June 28th.
I was in my alumni (Kennesaw State University) magazine last month; it was a two-page spread with good pictures. An alumna does good. I am an "Outstanding Owl"!
I am still in talks with a famous designer, whom I met at the Office Depot Success Seminar for Women in Ft. Lauderdale this spring. His CEO is going to present my product idea to one of their vendors, and if they are interested (I don't know why not), we will make a presentation.
I sent a proposal to a major independent blinds retailer, who is also interested. I am in the process of talking over the details with the vendor alliance person.
We are still in negotiations with another major store chain. At first, we were going to launch nationwide, but my corporate contact suggested we start a pilot program in Atlanta because it would be easier to get it out there and then launch to all the
stores from that program. Because the initial run went from 10,000 pieces to 500 pieces, we could not find a contract workroom to do this at a good price point, if at all. So we will have to make the first run in-house, which is more expensive.
We may have to cut our margins to nothing to get this started, but we've got great support both in the corporate office and locally here in Atlanta.
Another major blinds online retailer is ready for us. We are working on filling out the laborious Excel sheets with all the information needed to process the orders.
I have engaged a firm to work out the process and system requirements needed on our side to make sure all orders are handled in the most expeditious manner.
I am still doing direct sales, for cash flow, through leads from holding Breeze Decorating home shows. That's still going well. It get tiring, though, on top of everything else!
I am in the process of working with my design partners to get them familiar enough with our product that they can sell it
as easy as they sell their other products.
My mentor, Kathy Keeley, is still right there with me, helping me out with my numbers and giving me advice and inspiration when I need it. She just finished a $32 billion budget for a major port authority, then she turns around and helps me with my budget! She's a great sounding board and someone I know is thinking of me and how I can better myself and my business.
Jim and I stayed in San Francisco a few days extra and got some R&R. More like exercise and R. We walked uphill both ways everywhere we went, but it was great! I really had a great time--the whole time!
I was on a local AM station (860) this past Monday--an entrepreneurial show hosted by Mike Sformo (www.sformo.us). We had a great time and he was impressed with me and the whole Count Me In program. I am going to be on the "Startups with Joan Durand" show on the Martha Stewart channel on the Sirus radio network. I'm not sure of the airdate, but we tape the show on June 28th.
I was in my alumni (Kennesaw State University) magazine last month; it was a two-page spread with good pictures. An alumna does good. I am an "Outstanding Owl"!
I am still in talks with a famous designer, whom I met at the Office Depot Success Seminar for Women in Ft. Lauderdale this spring. His CEO is going to present my product idea to one of their vendors, and if they are interested (I don't know why not), we will make a presentation.
I sent a proposal to a major independent blinds retailer, who is also interested. I am in the process of talking over the details with the vendor alliance person.
We are still in negotiations with another major store chain. At first, we were going to launch nationwide, but my corporate contact suggested we start a pilot program in Atlanta because it would be easier to get it out there and then launch to all the
stores from that program. Because the initial run went from 10,000 pieces to 500 pieces, we could not find a contract workroom to do this at a good price point, if at all. So we will have to make the first run in-house, which is more expensive.
We may have to cut our margins to nothing to get this started, but we've got great support both in the corporate office and locally here in Atlanta.
Another major blinds online retailer is ready for us. We are working on filling out the laborious Excel sheets with all the information needed to process the orders.
I have engaged a firm to work out the process and system requirements needed on our side to make sure all orders are handled in the most expeditious manner.
I am still doing direct sales, for cash flow, through leads from holding Breeze Decorating home shows. That's still going well. It get tiring, though, on top of everything else!
I am in the process of working with my design partners to get them familiar enough with our product that they can sell it
as easy as they sell their other products.
My mentor, Kathy Keeley, is still right there with me, helping me out with my numbers and giving me advice and inspiration when I need it. She just finished a $32 billion budget for a major port authority, then she turns around and helps me with my budget! She's a great sounding board and someone I know is thinking of me and how I can better myself and my business.
posted by Janice Cairns at Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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