Carla Buchanan Designs

KWIZ Radio Reunion, 2012

2012-02-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

This was a blast from the past! I had a great time at the KWIZ radio reunion. I worked as a account execurtive, and as the station's sales manager, 1981-1985. ( Yes, I do believe that I was the first female sales manager for a radio station in Orange County, CA)

Below you will find images of the KWIZ studio, and the KWIZ reunion. The studio looks much like it did in 1983.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, studio, as it is today.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, library, as it is today.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, studio, as it is today.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, reunion.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, studio, as it is today.

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, studio, as it is today. (Bill Reitler)

This image is of the KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, studio, as it is today.

Here are some images from KWIZ, most from 1981-1985

As a sales account executive, I was FAMOUS for selling and hosting remote broadcasts.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. I (Carla Buchanan) am on the left in the grey suit.

This image was taken at the Los Alamitos Racetrack. This was a station event that I organized. I (Carla Buchanan) am one on the left, in the blue maternity dress. Allen Buchanan is on my left in the green pants.

This image is of Jim Bain, KWIZ radio, around 1984. I loved hiring Jim Bain for remote broadcasts, as he was (is) talented, dependable and plus, he helped get listeners to the remote broadcasts!

This image was taken between 1981-1985, KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA. My friend, Shari Lipman, far right, sent it in to Billboard Magazine and it got published. Love that girl!

This is an image, KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA, somewhere between 1981-9184. J. Michael Kenyon (air personality) is on the left, and Winnie Coombs is on the right. Winnie is now (2012) General Manager of KWIZ.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Jim Bain at a Christmas party.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Bob Katy, Sales.

This image was taken at KWIZ somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Bob Wood, sales.

This image was taken at KWIZ somewhere between 1981-1984. Shari Lipman.

This image was taken at KWIZ somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Reid McCloud.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Linda Warren.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Susan Betts and Winnie Coombs.

This image was taken at a KWIZ Christmas party, somewhere between 1981-1984. Ed Nix.

This image was taken at KWIZ , somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at KWIZ , somewhere between 1981-1984. Jim Bain.

This image was taken at KWIZ, 1984. This is my son, Blake Buchanan. Considering I had Blake when I was the sales manager, he got to visit KWIZ every now and then.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Patty Rosol.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Gary Marshall.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. June Alice Nordby Begley.

This image was taken at KWIZ, 1984.
This is me, Carla Buchanan, with Blake Buchanan. As you can see, I was expecting Mike Buchanan.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Bill Reitler.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Les Honig.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Shari Lipman on the left.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Dave Armstrong, General Manager.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Patty Rosol on the right.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Shari Lipman.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Oscar.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984. Spider and Lyle Davis.

This image was taken at KWIZ, somewhere between 1981-1984.
Shari Lipman.

This is an image of the KWIZ Free Money club money.

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, and June Alice Nordby Begley, KWIZ radio, somewhere between 1981-9183.

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, 1984, Sales Manager of KWIZ radio, Santa Ana, CA.

This is an image of a newspaper add for KWIZ AM, probably around 1984.

This is a image of a cartoon about KWIZ radio, 1984, as KWIZ radio had a very short play list.

FIDM, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, helps Business Brandings!

2012-02-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

1. When did you start your apparel/product company and why?

I launched Business Brandings, promotional apparel and products, in January, 2011. I have always dreamed of owning my own business, and, with the help of FIDM, I realized that I could combine my talents of art, fashion, advertising and business and create a business where I could actually love going to work everyday.

I have always loved art, but, really, I spent too much time in the fine art department! I learned so much in the CAD (computer added drawing) classes at FIDM. With this new found skill, I can create art for apparel, such at -shirts and polo shirts, as well as promotional products, such as water bottles and banners. And yes, I have always had a love for fashion, so my time at FIDM prepared me for the fashion segment of my business. Another reason I started Business Brandings, is that my first career was in radio advertising. I wanted to use these skills in my business, which is why I decided to base Business Brandings on a business to business concept. I also have practical business sense, which is another reason I wanted to start my own company.

2. What is the best part about this job/career?

This is a hard question, as I love almost everything about this job/career. They say if you love what you do, then you never have to work a day in your life. I love choosing my own clients to work with, creating art for projects, producing t-shirts and polo shirts, and being involved in the promotional product industry. Choosing my own clients is important to me. I give a lot when working with my clients, so, half the fun is spending time with clients that I really enjoy, and who appreciate what I do. In other words, no grouchy clients! I even put this on my web site. People said that I couldn't do that, but, hey, guess what, I did! I love creating the art for my clients projects. Providing the art makes me very different from other apparel/promotional product distributors. I find that after I create the art for the clients, they keep coming back for more and really appreciate my efforts. I am enjoying creating t-shirts, polo shirts, and other apparel. I have a very fancy rhinestone system that allows me to bling my art for apparel, and, I am enjoying exploring all the possibilites that the system offers. My clients love having their logo set in rhinestones, and, again, it makes me different from other distributors. Another aspect of this job, that I love, is being involved with associations in the promotional product industry. For example, last summer I was asked by, ASI, Advertising Specialties and Promotional Products, to speak, in Chicago. They paid my way and paid me for my time. Then, they really surprised me, and honored me by putting me on their Hot List of distributors to watch, 2012.

3. How did FIDM help prepare you for your career?

Well, I could go on and on! So many classes, at FIDM, helped me. I majored in Apparel Manufacturing Management, so the entire time I was at FIDM, I was preparing to own my own business. In one of my classes, Ownership and Finance, I learned about the difficulties that apparel manufactures face, as far as finnaces are concerned. Therefore, I decided to distribute apparel/promotional products, instead of manufacturing apparel. This way, I do not need to carry an inventory, I sell directly to the end user, I don't need to begin work until I have a purchase order, and, many of my clients pay cash up front, before the job begins. Also, I learned so much in my sourcing classes. This has helped me source the apparel, promotional products, vendors, and equipment. The teachers at FIDM were so very awesome and helpful. I also learned a lot in my presentation classes. Now I have confidence, and know how, to present my work. My time at FIDM was much more enriched than anything I could have ever imagined. It was one of the very best decisions that I have made in my life.

Links:

Personal blog: http://carlabuchanan.blogspot.com

Apparel manufacturing management blog: http://apparelmanufacturingmanagement.blogspot.com/

Business Brandings blog: http://businessbrandingsblog.blogspot.com

Business Brandings web site: http://businessbrandings.com

Business Brandings facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Business-Brandings/150551538340435

Label created by Carla Buchanan, for Haw Creek Honey

2012-02-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

This is an image of a label I created for Haw Creek Honey, Asheville, NC. I am submitting the artwork to the owner, my uncle, Greg Rogers, today, and maybe he will decide to use it for Haw Creek.

This is a black and white image of the label that I created for Haw Creek Honey, Asheville, NC. I don't know if they will use it or not, but it was fun to create it for them.

C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

2012-01-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

This was a great day! My sisters, Charlotte Cook and Cherie McKnight, and I, threw my dad, C. Allen McKnight, MD a fabulous 75th birthday bash! Enjoy the images, and, at the end of this post, you will find more images in a slideshow format.

This is an image of Paige Buchanan, giving Papa a great big hug, at Senor Tequilla's, the night before the party.

This is an image of the sign at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, Arkansas. We love the western/ranch theme for the party.

This is an image of the western/ranch table decorations at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of the western/ranch table decorations at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday! The mints were personalized (available at businessbrandings.com) and all the guests got a personalized DVD to take home.

This is an image of the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of a server, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of a server and Paige Buchanan, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image the desserts at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Angela McKnight taking a picture of Paige Buchanan, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Mike Hale, Allen Buchanan, and Marilyn Conner at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, with my dad, C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Susan and Charles McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of the guys having fun listening to Phillip McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Carson McKnight, Paige Buchanan, and Donald McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Charlotte and Lance Cook at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Allen, Blake and Mike Buchanan, with Clay Cook, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Charles and Carson McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Phillip McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Paige Buchanan and C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Carla Buchanan and C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Paige Buchanan and C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Cherie McKnight and C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Pam Cyphers and C. Allen McKnight, MD, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of my family, Allen, Carla, Blake, Mike and Paige Buchanan at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of my my sister, Charlotte Cook, at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Donald and Marjorie McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday

This is an image of Donald McKnight the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday

This is an image of Allen, Blake and Mike Buchanan at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday

This is an image of C. Allen McKnight, MD, Allen, Blake and Mike Buchanan at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday

This is an image of Susan McKnight, C. Allen McKnight,, MD, Marilyn Conner, and Donald McKnight at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Blake, Mike and Paige Buchanan at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

This is an image of Susan McKnight and Marilyn Conner at the brunch at Pleasant Valley Country Club, Little Rock, AR, C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

Above this the slide show of additional images.

Altered Couture-Stampington & Co. submissions

2012-01-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

This is an image of an artist print shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of an artist print shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. AFTER.

This is an image of a solid coral cardigan that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of an artist print shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of a lavender ruffled shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of a completed design, that I , Carla Buchanan, designed for Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. AFTER.

This is an image of an artist textured shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of a completed design, that I , Carla Buchanan, designed for Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. AFTER.

This is an image of an artist print shirt that I, Carla Buchanan, altered and submitted to Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. BEFORE.

This is an image of a completed design, that I , Carla Buchanan, designed for Altered Couture Magazine, Stampington & Company. AFTER.

A New Altered Couture Design by Carla Buchanan

2011-12-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

For many years, I have enjoyed getting published in Altered Couture. Altered Couture is a 160 page publication that is filled with gorgeous photographs of garments that have been given a second chance by the artists that created them. Here is a link to the publication Altered Couture. You can click on the link to find out more information about Altered Couture. Are you interested in submitting something that you made? Here is a link to find out how to do it: Altered Couture Challenges.

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, Fashion designer and Altered Couture Artist, and Beth Livesay, Managing Editor Altered Couture, Stampington & Company.

Over the years, I have really enjoyed getting to know Beth Livesay, Managing Editor. Beth is so great at her job. She makes me feel like a true artist and she is delightful to work for. She constantly encourages me, and supports me. You will love her blog, Couture Over Coffee.

This week, I created an art piece for Altered Couture to consider. As usually, I began with apparel pieces that I already had, and designed something spectacular! Today, I am sending this piece to Beth Livesay, Altered Couture, for consideration for a future issue. Stay tuned!

This image is a before picture of a t-shirt that I used to an art piece submission to Altered Couture Publication.

This image is a before picture of a shirt that I used to an art piece submission to Altered Couture Publication.

This image is a before picture of a new fashion art piece that I submitted to Altered Couture Publication.

How to Throw a Gingerbread House Fun Day! See the Original Gingerbread House Fun Day Apron Created By Carla Buchanan, Business Brandings.

2011-12-18T15:44:00.000-08:00

Step One: Invite several friend over for your Gingerbread House Fun Day. Ask each friend to bring a gingerbread house kit, like the one above. Click here to go to Create a Treat to get some ideas! This is the kit that I used and recommend.

Step Two: Prepare a few special treats for the party.

Step 3: You can provide cute party favors, such as the Gingerbread House Fun Day Apron. This is an image of my friend, Sue Knight, and me. We are holding our gingerbread house kits and wearing the Gingerbread Fun Day aprons that I created as party favors for the Gingerbread House Fun Day.

This is an image of my three friends with their Gingerbread House Fun Day kits and Gingerbread House Fun Day aprons that I created as favors for the party (from left to right): June Begley, Leslie Nowakowski, and Sue Knight.

Step 4: The guests get to decorate the Gingerbread House Fun Day kits! This is an image of Sue Knight (front) and Leslie Nowakowski decorating their Gingerbread House Fun Day kits.

This is an image of June Begley decorating her Gingerbread House Fun Day kit.

This is an image of the Gingerbread House Fun Day kits as the guests were decorating them. I added a few more decorations for the guests to choose from.

This is an image of Sue Knight with her Gingerbread Fun Day Kit completed.

This is an image of me, Carla Buchanan, with my Gingerbread Fun Day Kit completed.

This is an image of Leslie Nowakowski with her Gingerbread Fun Day Kit completed.

This is an image of June Begley with her Gingerbread Fun Day Kit completed.

This is an image of our Gingerbread House Fun Day kits completed.

This is a video of us (left to right): June Begley, Sue Knight, Carla Buchanan and Leslie Nowakowski, showing off our completed Gingerbread House Fun Day kits.

This is an image of my Gingerbread House Fun Day kit completed, and an image of the Gingerbread House Fun Day, 2011, apron that I created for the guests.

This is a close up image of the Gingerbread House Fun Day, 2011, apron that I, Carla Buchanan, Business Brandings, created for the Gingerbread House Fun Day 2011.

Ghost images I took in St. Augustine, FL

2011-11-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

This is an image of a ghost orbs, in a tree, St. Augustine, FL.

This is an image of ghost orbs, at the old school house, in St. Augustine, FL.

This is an image of us, and two ghost orbs, in St. Augustine, FL.

What to do in Asheville, NC

2011-11-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

This is an image of a map of Asheville, NC.

Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States.^[5] It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The U.S. Census Bureau determined that Asheville's population in 2010 was 83,393.^[2] Asheville is a part of the four-county Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area, the population of which was estimated by the Census Bureau in 2010 to be 417,012.

This is an image of the beautiful trees in Asheville, NC.

This is an image of the famous Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. We visited the estate and were surprised to find that there were so many people visiting. We were asked to get a timed start time. We were so happy that we decided to add the audio option, as it helped us to enjoy our visit.
Click here to to go to the Biltmore Estate web site.

Biltmore House is a Châteauesque-styled mansion near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at 135,000 square feet (12,500 m²) (although publications claim 175,000 square feet (16,300 m²))^[2] and featuring 250 rooms. Still owned by one of Vanderbilt's descendants, it stands today as one of the most prominent remaining examples of theGilded Age, and of significant gardens in the Garden à la française and English Landscape garden styles in the United States. In 2007, it was ranked eighth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects.

This is the best place to eat in town!
Click here to to to Bouchon French Comfort Food web site.
Bouchon is owned by my cousins, Vonciel Michel Baudouin!

michel baudouin owner/chef
Michel Baudouin, Chef-Owner of Bouchon, started life in a 200-year-old farmhouse in France’s Rhône Valley. His affinity for fine food and wine comes naturally-his father, Emile, was the village’s premier amateur winemaker. Mother Antonia’s way with a roast duck had neighbors and friends “coincidentally” dropping by at dinner time every Sunday.
Michel’s successes in the restaurant business began over twenty years ago in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His previous ventures include Michel Restaurant (cited by Esquire magazine as one of the nation’s top 50 restaurants), Le Chardonnay, (recognized by Gourmet and Wine Spectator magazines, in addition to many local honors) and Encore, named a “Best New” restaurant by D magazine.
Michel, wife Vonciel and their youngest, daughter Fuller, moved to Asheville from Fort Worth, Texas after falling in love with the place on a visit. Fuller graduated from Asheville High in 2009. She occasionally helps out at Bouchon. After spending her freshman year at AB Tech, Fuller enrolled at UNCA this fall.
In this picture: Obi, Paul, Fuller & Ben
The Baudouins are still represented in Texas with older sons, Paul and Benjamin, who live in Austin and Lubbock, respectively. They come to the western North Carolina mountains as often as they can. Paul graduated from TCU in 2007 and Benjamin is a senior at Texas Tech.
The Baudouin family also includes Dinah, the ninja assassin cat, who was adopted from the Asheville Humane Society in December of 2009.
The Baudouins’ first cocker, Kappy, is the dog painted on the wall leading to the patio at Bouchon. He was a very good boy.
Our beloved Obi recently passed away after an accident. Obi was featured in the 2010 Halloween Dog Fest poster and we miss his funny eccentricity.
More members of the Baudouin menagerie include six hens, a dozen goldfish and a pilot snake who has forced himself on them.

This is an image of the French Onion Soup at Bouchon, French Comfort Food, Asheville, NC.

This is an image of Bouchon, French Comfort Food, Asheville, NC. They are located downtown Asheville, 62 N. Lexington.

This is an image of The Grove Park Inn. We had a lovely Sunday brunch here. Try the gravy and the turkey!

The Grove Park Inn was conceptualized by Edwin Wiley Grove (1850–1927) with the help of his son-in-law Fred Loring Seely (1871–1942). Seely was married to Evelyn Grove. She was from Grove's first marriage to Mary Louisa (Lou) Moore Grove. Grove owned Paris Medicine Company. Originally based in Paris, Tennessee., the firm was moved to St. Louis. Its primary money making product was Grove's Chill Tonic which was a tasty syrup elixir containing quinine. This formula would help tame the raging chills brought on by malaria. At one time the number of bottles of Chill Tonic outsold bottles of a famous brand of Cola. He believed the climate of Asheville, North Carolina would have health benefits and be the ideal location for a resort. His doctors sent him there to determine if the climate would help reduce or cure his bouts with extreme hiccups. The hiccups would last several weeks at a time.

E.W. Grove began to accumulate the land for the Inn and his Grove Park-Kimberely Avenue developments in 1910. He bought several farms and sloped areas all the way to the top of Sunset Mountain. Construction began in 1912 and was completed in an amazing 11 months and 27 days. This was accomplished by paying high wages to the dedicated workers. Circus tents were erected on the job site to house the workers. The Inn opened July 12, 1913. The hotel was outfitted with furnishings from the Roycrofters of East Aurora, New York, one of the most important designers and manufacturers of Arts and Crafts furniture, metal work and other accessories. The hotel was built of rough granite stones and the expansive lobby is noted for its enormous granite fireplaces and expansive porch with its scenic overlook.

Sketch of the exterior of the Grove Park Inn by Fred Seely, 1912

During World War II, the Inn was used first as an internment center for Axis diplomats. The diplomats and their staff were allowed guarded trips to town where they would purchase goods from the local merchants. This was a boon to the strapped local economy. The Inn was then used by the Navy as a rest and rehabilitation center for returning sailors. In 1944-45, the hotel was an Army Redistribution Station where soldiers rested and relaxed before being assigned to other duties. The Philippine Government functioned in exile from the Presidential Cottage on the grounds during the war.

The Grove Park Inn became part of Sammons Enterprises in 1955. The resort has been expanded over the years under the direction of the owners Mr. and Mrs. Sammons and continues to be a popular tourist attraction. Though pets are prohibited at the Inn, Mrs. Sammons would bring her dog in under cover in a baby carriage. Mrs. Sammons died in 2008.

The Grove Park Inn has accumulated a significant collection of Arts and Crafts decorative items and hosts an important Arts and Crafts conference once a year.^[1]

What to do in Nashville, Tennesse

2011-11-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Nashville, TN, during our grand adventure tour across the USA, November 2011.

Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County.^[6] It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home to a large number of colleges and universities. It is most notably known as a center of the music industry, earning it the nickname "Music City".

This is an image of a map of Nashville TN.

The Factory at Franklin is a 12-building dining, retail and entertainment complex listed in the National Register of Historic Places. We provide a welcome break from large chain stores and malls, while still offering a variety of restaurants and activities for everyone in the family, along with offices, meeting rooms and special event facilities. As you spend your day at The Factory, take some time out to notice the historical factors of this building. It was carefully renovated to preserve many of The Factory's original features and architectural details. We are located just 6 blocks from Historic Downtown Franklin, TN and only 15 miles from Nashville! Download a full color map of The Factory HERE.

This is an image of downtown Franklin, TN.
Visitors to Historic Downtown Franklin experience an award-winning Great American Main Street town and 200 years of history. The Victorian commercial district, with its commemorative brick sidewalks and beautifully renovated historic buildings housing elegant shops, is the heart of Franklin and Williamson County. Downtown Franklin offers an eclectic mix of antique shops, gift and book stores, art galleries, clothiers, and an array of personal and professional services.

Downtown Nashville is the top regional choice for live music, special occasions, fine dining, sports and entertainment. From country to classical, Irish to blues, jazz to bluegrass, downtown Music City USA has over 35 live music venues! Great performance venues include the historic Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Over 1.5 million people visit downtown Nashville each year for sporting events-featuring home teams Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. Major annual downtown happenings include the Music City Bowl, the Country Music Marathon, the CMA Music Festival and the Fourth of July annual celebration.
There are over 160 restaurants to choose from - casual to fine dining, pasta to sushi, steaks to fondue. There are 12 downtown hotels with over 3,000 rooms. Downtown's historic Hermitage Hotel is Tennessee's first AAA Five Diamond Award winner.
Other attractions include the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Arcade (for over 100 years, the daytime downtown street where people meet), Printers Alley, historic Second Avenue, the Main Branch of the Nashville Public Library, the Nashville Convention Center, the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, the Tennessee State Capitol, Fort Nashboro and Riverfront Park, the Lower Broadway entertainment district, art galleries and the Tennessee State Museum.
For regional residents and tourists, downtown residents and employees—downtown Nashville is the place to PLAY!

Because you're watching a live radio broadcast, audience members get to be a part of the action. Those listening to the broadcast on WSM 650-AM will be hearing your applause and cheers. In addition, you'll even get to see the radio commercials performed on the stage before you, and see the broadcast "disc jockey" live! There is no editing, no voice enhancements, and no falsities at the Opry ... just wholesome, old-fashioned entertainment!

Nathaniel Frances Cheairs IV, a French Huguenot descent, was born on the property on December 6, 1818. As he matured, he began courting a girl from Spring Hill. The object of his affection was Miss Susan Peters McKissack, daughter of Master William McKissack II. When Nathaniel IV announced to his father of his intentions of marrying Susan, his father had only one objection. All of the “Nathaniels” prior to Nathaniel IV had married girls by the name of “Sarah.” His father wanted him to carry on that tradition and find someone else to wed. Nathaniel IV wanted his father’s blessing on the marriage and persisted about marrying Susan. His father even offered his son a sum of gold worth $5,000 to find another bride, but Nathaniel IV would not accept. Then, Susan’s father made an offer that Nathaniel IV could not refuse. Being the owner of the brickyard in Spring Hill, Master McKissack offered to supply all of the free bricks and free slave labor needed to construct a house once Nathaniel and Susan were married. Being the wise businessman that he was, Nathaniel III saw that offer and gave his blessing upon his son’s marriage. Nathaniel Frances Cheairs IV and Susan Peters McKissack were wed on September 2, 1841. As a wedding gift, Nathaniel III gave his son the $5,000 in gold that he had previously offered his son.
For ten years, Nathaniel and Susan made their home in a two-story log cabin located at the back of the property. Susan gave birth to three of their four children while living in the cabin. In 1851, the smokehouse and kitchen house were completed. The Cheairs would reside in the upstairs of the kitchen before and during the construction of the mansion. Construction on the mansion commenced in 1852 and was completed in 1855. Completion of the mansion was delayed for three years because of Nathaniel’s own vision of the home. He stated that he wished the house to stand for over 100 years. Construction of the home was halted three separate times. The mansion was over 50% complete all three times that he had construction stopped, and each time the walls were torn down. The first occasion was when Nathaniel did not think that the walls were straight, the second occasion was when Nathaniel did not like how the mortar had bonded, and the third occasion was when a bit of cold weather had struck the area, and Nathaniel thought some of the mortar might have frozen. Fearing that it would lead to the downfall of the house, he once again had the walls torn down. Eventually, the mansion was completed, and Susan gave birth to their fourth, and last, child shortly after they moved in. The family resided happily in their new home for the several years that remained before the Civil War broke out.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville -- Come join us at the largest popular music museum in the world! Experience the history of America's music through exciting new exhibits, entertaining films, interactive displays and an incredible array of costumes and instruments.

Attend special concerts and programs. Shop at the Museum Store and savor a Southern-style meal at the SoBro Grill. Discover why this Nashville landmark is a number one hit for visitors!

Things to Do In Kansas City, MO

2011-10-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is an image of a MAX bus in Kansas City, MO. We got around town, almost all day, for $1.50. Wow, what a great deal in Kansas City, MO for transportation.

Wondering what to do in Kansas City, MO? Follow our path around town, and you will have a great time in Kansas City, MO.

This is an image of Hotel
Phillips.

A Boutique Hotel that's Both Historic and Hip

Can a hotel feel grand and yet intimate at the same time? Hip but never stuffy? That's the allure of Hotel Phillips, a historic gem in the heart of Kansas City's business, entertainment and arts district.
Your experience starts with our breathtaking Art Deco lobby that made us Kansas City's most celebrated hotel in 1931.

This is an image of Hotel Phillips. 106 W. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105. 816-221-7000.

This is an image of the WW1 Museum in Kansas City, MO>.

The National World War I Museum uses its comprehensive, world-class historical collections and exhibitions to inspire its strategic efforts in the areas of exhibition, education, research and interpretation.
The founders of the National World War I Museum, originally known as the Liberty Memorial Museum, began collecting in 1920 and established professional museum policies and procedures in the 1970s. In the twenty-first century the Museum directed its pro-active collecting to complement the facility’s massive facility expansion and new national stature. As a result of these decades of concentrated effort, the quantity and quality of our collections, as well as the state-of-the-art exhibitions that draw on these collections, are truly astounding.

This is an image, a map, of the state of Missouri, You can see that Kansas City is located in the northeastern part of Missouri.

This is an image of Costentino's Market, downtown Kansas City, MO.

The Cosentino family opened their first market in 1948, located on Blue Ridge Boulevard in Kansas City. Since that time the local family owned grocer has aspired to provide excellent customer service in an exceptionally clean environment. It was with immense pride that Cosentino's Market grew from a dream into a reality. The first Cosentino’s Market was opened in Brookside in 2004 followed by the location in the Kansas City Power & Light District in 2009. “We were so honored to be chosen as part of this historical project and to have the chance to develop such an innovative store.” John Cosentino says of the Downtown project.

Cosentino's Food Stores currently operates 25 stores in the Kansas City area. The first generation is proud to watch the third generation of Cosentino's Family members now taking part in the day to day operations and management of the company.

Kansas City~Thank you for helping to grow our organization. We take great pleasure in serving you!

This is an image of a cowboy, Kansas City, MO. Go to the rodeo at the Sprint Center, WE did!

This image is of a sign outside of Gates Bar-B-Q in Kansas City, MO..

With the tantalizing hickory barbecue smell drawing the customer through the ranch-style doors, he is immediately greeted.
From that moment of entry until the lick of a barbecue rib, the customer is attended by genuinely concerned employees.
Sound unusual? It's standard procedure at all six Gates and Sons Bar-B-Q units in Kansas City. The friendly, helpful attitude is born at the Gates College of Bar-B-Que Knowledge, better known as Rib Tech.
Managers and cooks as well as block persons (sandwich makers and rib cutters), counter personnel, and dinning room attendants attend the training classes while they learn with on-the-job training at one of the Gates location.

This is an image of Lynyrd Skynyrd. We saw him in Kansas City, MO.

Looking for Ideas for a Hair Stylist T-shirt!

2011-10-06T07:12:00.000-07:00

This is an image that could go on a hairdresser's t-shirt.

This is an image of a t-shirt: Wings with scissors for a hairdresser.

Hi friends! I am looking for ideas for a hair stylist t-shirt. I need something trendy, stylish, and oh, so cool. Can YOU help me? What do you think of these ideas?

This is an image of a t-shirt, Hair Dressers Rock.

This is an image of slogan that could go on a hairdresser t-shirt, I fix $7 Haircuts.

Look What I Found at the NBM Show in Long Beach!

2011-10-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

A Salt Shaker Visits a BNI Meeting: A Carla and Allen Buchanan video production

2011-09-11T21:00:00.001-07:00

Fortune Teller Tells BNI Chapter Fortune (ok, it is me, really)

2011-09-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is a video that I made for my BNI Chapter, Platinum Coast.

Laughing Sally, Fair Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas

2011-08-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

This one takes you back, this is an image of Laughing Sally, Fair Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Click here to read more.

NAWBO news, 4 women to WATCH, Hall of Fame

2011-08-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

I am a proud new member of NAWBO, National Association of Women Business Owner, (Orange County Chapter. )Take a look at 4 very inspiring members!

NAWBO® Inducts Four Women Entrepreneurs Into Its Inaugural Hall of Fame at the Women’s Business Conference 2011, August 31-September 1 in San Diego, California

(August 3, 2011, San Diego, CA)—The National Association of Women Business Owners® (NAWBO®) is proud to present the inaugural Hall of Fame Award to four of the most dynamic and significant women business owners in California. Each honoree is a trailblazer in her own right and they collectively reflect the legacy of power and success of the women’s business community at large.

As the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries with more than 6,000 members and 65 chapters, NAWBO®’s reach includes tens of thousands of accomplished businesswomen with incredible success stories. That makes the four women business owners who will be recognized at the Women’s Business Conference—August 31-September 1 at San Diego’s Manchester Grand Hyatt—truly exceptional. The 2011 NAWBO® Hall of Fame honorees include:

Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder and CEO, ACT-1 Group: A company that provides staffing solutions for corporations across the U.S. Founded in 1978 with an initial investment of $1,500, a telephone and a small lease space, her company is now the largest certified woman minority-owned staffing company in the United States and is worth more than $500 million. act-1.com

Koni Kim, President and CEO, Koni Corporation: A leading woman-owned supplier of soft goods to the hospitality industry headed by a design legend. Women Presidents’ Organization and Entrepreneur Magazine named Koni Corporation No. 2 of the Top 50 fastest-growing women-owned/women-led, privately owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada. konicorp.com

Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, Founder & CEO, Lulu’s Dessert Corporation: A native of Mexico City, de Lourdes Sobrino revolutionized the food industry by creating the first-ever ready-to-eat gelatin category based on her mother’s recipe. Lulu’s Dessert is now ranked among the top 500 Hispanic Businesses in the United States. lulusdessert.com

Lynda Weinman, Co-Founder, lynda.com: A leading online instructional video service that teaches technology and design skills to hundreds of thousands of people through individual memberships or site licenses to businesses and universities. The company was listed as the No. 12 fastest growing education company in America in Inc. magazine’s 5,000 List.lynda.com

“With this year’s conference being held in California, we selected top California-based women entrepreneurs who not only reflect the rich diversity of the No. 1 entrepreneurial state in our nation, but each one of them is a quintessential woman entrepreneur who strives for excellence in everything she does and is committed to giving back to her community,” says NAWBO® President and CEO Helen Han. “Through continuing to induct extraordinary women into the NAWBO® Hall of Fame, we hope to celebrate the rising power of women business owners and the growing impact of their leadership in the economic blueprint of our country.”

The NAWBO® Hall of Fame Awards will be formally presented on Thursday, September 1 at the Women’s Business Conference. Honorees will accept their awards at the Closing Dinner & Awards Ceremony and will share their individual success stories in a moderated panel discussion. A pre-dinner wine tasting reception sponsored by women wineries of Napa Valley and a special tribute by poet performer Azure Antoinettewill be some of the evening’s highlights.

Carla Buchanan, Here is My Resume!

2011-07-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

Teaching Sewing for 14 Spanish Speaking Women at Garden Grove United Methodist Church is Orange

2011-07-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Pastor Carrie , Garden Grove United Methodist Church, with a student in my sewing class, for 14 Spanish speaking women. Pastor Carrie was my assistant and translator!

Networking Speech ASI Chicago, Carla Buchanan

2011-07-16T20:50:00.001-07:00

Determine Your Net Worth

How to Grow Your Business Connections

Carla Buchanan

FIDM

Owner Business Brandings

100% referrals

Notable Networker

Networking

Do you love cold calling?

Do you agree that word of mouth is the best form of advertising?

Why?

People like to do business with those who they know like and trust. Therefore, if you are referred by a networking partner, or a customer, the new prospect already knows, likes,and trusts the referrer, therefore, they are more likely to know like and trust YOU.

Consumer Behavior has changed/more likely to refer you to a friend. Companies that are referred to you are more likely to buy and less concerned about price. Four of my new referral clients have paid me MORE than I have asked for this year!

Think beyond customers, as referral partners can be other businesses, and people, who have never used your service. For example, last month I was referred to the owner of a property management company, named Mohammed. Mohammed referred me to a roofing company, a landscaper, and a carpet cleaner. Because I asked him to, Mohammed actually went with me to meet the owner of the roofing. The owner of the roofing company is usually very price conscience, but this time she was open to new apparel ideas, without asking about pricing. She ordered apparel for her workers, her staff, her husband, and herself.

Mohammed also introduced me to the owner of a carpet cleaning company. I was able to find him the perfect apparel for his business and help him redesign his logo.

Mohammed introduced me to owner of a landscaping company. The owner is in the process of selecting apparel for his workers and himself.

Another business that Mohammed introduced me to, said that he has always purchased apparel from the same company for 15 years, but he would now buy from Business Brandings from now on.

Mohammed has never experienced my services, although, right before I left for Chicago, I called him, again to thank him for the referrals, and Mohammed asked me to source a product for him.

You have many roads that you want to walk down, and people you want to meet. There are people in your network, there are people in this room, who have already walked down those roads, and met the very people that you wish to meet.

How to Make Word of Mouth Networking Work for you

‎"The richest people in the world look for and build Networks, Everyone else looks for work." Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

Today’s Agenda

How to Create Word of Mouth Advertising

Network Moment

Networking Groups to Join

3 Stages of Networking

Action Items

Networking Moment

Name

Elevator Pitch

What is an elevator pitch? It is a 30 second answer, that could be delivered in a closed elevator, that answers the question, what do you do? It is a short, concise message, with benefits, that makes the listener want to know more when the elevator stops.

To give you an example, my young friend, Bryce Hill, just got a job with a major clothing manufacture. The manufacturer did not have Charlotte Ruse store as a client. Bryce was in an elevator with the Charlotte Ruse buyer, and by the time the door opened she was ready to look at what Bryce had to offer. Charlotte Ruse is now his biggest client. This is what an elevator pitch should do, it should be strong enough, and have enough benefits, to draw the listener in.

During a recent networking meeting, I brought a polo shirt with me to the meeting. My elevator pitch was this, “I can help contractors make more money and get more bids, by sharpening up their image with this polo shirt. One of my new lady contractor clients told me that she just landed a $30,000 job because the new customer liked her and loved her uniform.” After the networking meeting was over, the contractor in my group literally followed me out to the parking lot. He said,”Hey Carla, can I see that shirt?”

What is your elevator pitch? Make sure your pitch has a benefit. Leave out the words anybody and everybody. Be specific with the benefit, the ideal client, and tell a short story if you can. Take one minute, and then turn to the person next to you and introduce yourself and give your elevator pitch.

6. Networking Groups to Join

Organized Business Network

Organized Social Network

Organized Specialized Network

Organized Industry Network

see {me} three, The Three Stages of Successful Networking

attendance

leadership

This is the see stage, where people see and notice you, and you see and notice them.

stand up! You are visible

Be a visitor host, visitors give energy to the meetings and are eager to make new connections

Do not sell! Who wants to sell something today? Who wants to buy something?

Go further, look to sell through, not too. Better still, try to identify who YOU can help and who you can refer to? Does the banker look like someone you can send your best client to? Does the chiropractor seem friendly? Could you refer someone to the graphic artist?

Look for referral partners both ways!

You are looking for people who you can know like and trust, and you are starting the three step process to help people to know like and trust you.

By going to more than one group, you will very likely see some of the same people in different groups. I met a visitor at my networking group, she mentioned that she was

interested in shirts. I called her but she did not call me back. The next day, I saw her again at another networking group. We were both visitors this time, so we had something in common.We started to work as a team to find more networking groups that we liked. She began to know, like and trust me. She purchased a new summer wardrobe of shirts for her landscaping company. She was also the lady contractor, that I told you about, that got the $30,000 job because the owner liked her uniforms. It all started, because I was visible at both networking events, and she got to know, like and trust me.

In the see stage, join the leadership team. This is a great way to be seen over and over again. Being on the leadership team, like being president, helps toward the next stage: {me}.

{me}

reliability

dependability

credibility

This stage is called {me} because it is all up to you. This is the stag where people determine if they can rely and depend on you, and if they feel comfortable referring you to their best clients. At this stage, you treat your fellow networkers BETTER than your best clients, and treat your networking obligations better than your work obligations. In other words, give it your all.

Schedule meetings with your networkers individually. Get to know them, their business, and let them know about yours. Ask them about their ideal client and let them know what yours is too. Think about this for a long time. Who do you REALLY want to meet? If you tell your referral partner that you want to meet someone, and then you really don’t, you lose a lot in the {me} stage. For example, a custom clothier asked me to meet a commission salesperson who would sell his ties. I have a classmate, that just graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchanding, that is interested in men’s ties. After I referred her to the clothier, he really hesitated and started asking me detailed questions about the job fit. Referrals can only go so far. At this point, he would need to contact my friend and work out the details with her. In other words, don’t expect your referral partner to do everything for you, there is still work to be done on your part. If you are unsure, you can just ask them for an introduction, like Mohammed did for me.

Be on time, show up to appointments, make your individual meetings exciting and schedule with gusto! Attend every meeting!

Do not sell your product!

Start giving referrals.

Three

Understand their business

Help grow their business

Understand Your business

Help them understand your business

Your referral partners give you three referrals. These are great power partners for you. You can begin to develop referral teams. You can create business for your partners. I created the business, introduced the members and business began with the book coach: Lisa Guentert Kimberly and Kimberly.

Develop an individual plan with each member of your networking group. Start a notebook with their materials and where they are on the see {me} three phases. Get a plan to move them along.

Write the plan on your calendar.

Give referrals.

see {me} three
Carla’s Sandbox

go to their events

children’s birthday parties

wedding crasher events

mother in law’s funeral

father’s day party

daughter’s graduation

sales training seminar

mixers

education meetings

lunch and learn

dinner

lunch

breakfast

picnic

rope course day

barbeques

graduation from beauty school daughter

pet their dogs

been to their house

put them on your blog

put their events

their businesses

their ideas

their images

encourage them on facebook

buy things from them

Mary Kay make up

carpets cleaned

landscape

blankets

hair styled

spray tanned

car fixed

book coach

personal counselor

plumber

painter

CPA

estate planner

party planner

always early for meetings

introduced them to people in my network, even though it had nothing to do with me: funeral planner, estate planner, estate sale manager-lunch at Mimis

visited their sisters when traveling

taken them on sales calls with me

made dreams come true, one member said he wanted to meet the head of the networking group, I did not know him, but I made it happen

Help people that they want to help: one member wanted to help a friend distribute a product, and I said I would help. He called me before I left for chicago, does anyone need a good deal on 500 chocolate cakes that you can mail and put your logo on?

Think out of the box, go above and beyond, be one time, have fun and support your networkers!

13 Handouts

14. Contact Carla

ASI Social Networking Boot Camp Speech, Carla Buchanan

2011-07-16T19:30:00.000-07:00

1.Social Media Marketing Boot Camp

2. Carla Buchanan

Owner Business Brandings (BNI story) 100% referrals

Notable networker

FIDM, a lot about social media and how to use it from my instructor Brian McKinney

3. Hello Chicago!

4. Social Media

5. What to do in Chicago?

Shop the Miracle Mile, Layne Livingston, Little Rock, AR

7. Take a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Homes, Greg Bryant, Little Rock, AR

Shop, Cubs game, bars around Wrigley, museum,

Deanna Abrahams, Orange County, CA

Second City and Greektown, Jessica Pivik, New Orleans, LA

Chicago Style Pizza, Taylor Hawley, Chicago, IL

11. Social Media for You

“have, should, need, absolute”

Make social media work for you, your life, your company, enjoyable, exciting, personal

We will have a plan, but there are so many new doors that will be opened, it is impossible to map out the exact outcome!

We can connect with each other, we all want to go down new roads, someone has already been down that road!

12. Consumer Behavior

Social media has changed consumer behavior. Companies used to have to guess, conduct paid surveys to find out what customers what, when they buy, how they buy, why they buy, and who they buy from, and now, customers are telling us, without us even asking, what they want, when they want it, what they like, what they dislike, who they buy from, and why. Don’t you agree this is valuable information? And to take it a step further, they want us to talk to them and interact with them. It is an exciting, and awesome time to be in business!

13. Agenda for Today

Connect

Secrets of Top Performers

Rookie Mistakes

Carla’s Sandbox

Connect

Who?

Who is going to deliver your social media message? Who would you pick to go into a crowded room and be YOU?

Would they look like you? Talk like YOU? Respond like YOU? Act like YOU? I hear of companies hiring an intern to manage their social media, understand hiring an intern to help with somethings, but not your social media. An intern is so far removed from you. Finally, this is the time when YOU can actually connect with your customers, potential customers, staff, friends and family. So many companies brag that they have great customer service, now is the time to let it shine!

Who is going to conduct your social media? Can I suggest this, YOU!

Connect

Profile

The first step is setting up your profile.

Remember this, people like to do business with people they know, like and trust. Your profile can help move this process along. Use profile images that help people know like and trust you. For example, I read once, and I think this is true, images with people drinking, even if it is non alcoholic, do not strengthen the image of the person in the picture. So, if you are at the gala at an ASI show, someone wants to snap your image, just move away from the water glass. You might want to post friendly, but not too friendly, images on your profile as well.

The profile information can help others know, like and trust you. Do you post personal things? I think it is better to post business experiences, successes, stories, philosophies, practices and business strengths.

Give your profile a little thought, but know that it is a work in progress and you can, and will, change it often.

Connect

Which room do you want to enter?

Comparing social networking to networking, what room would you walk into?

Blogger

I am a blogger. 17 blogs and I am always adding new ones. You can be too, in seconds. I like to blog on Blogspot, as it is owned by Google. Many people love word press. Blogging is fun, and easy. It gives you instant credibility in your field.

My blogs are my hub, the mother ship!

1. My number one tip: work out loud. Story: posting this speech on my ASI blog. This give your credibility.

working out loud: provide information on products: story: working out loud with a product for one client, why not document this. Work out loud once, the information is there for many more people, not just the client you did all the research for.

connect your groups story ASI Networking group blog story, I started a blog to connect with YOU and provide you with the information that we discussed today. Why? Because I want to make it easy for you to connect with me, get to know me, find the information that we discussed today, stand out among the other great speakers that we will hear at ASI Show Chicago. Help you to remember me and rise above the crowd.Lead by example and not just talk about social media, but to actually use it for our specific purposes: You can too! Blogging for a specific group can take you to a new level of credibility.

Separates you from the herd.

Connect with your project partners Lady Like story: saves time for you and other members, serves as permanent record, helps the group find the work at any time of day, helps the leader not have to repeat details over and over, helps when someone drops out of the group, you don’t have to keep looking for their work, and the new member can easily catch up and feel a part of the project.
provide help for others with forms, letters. story: Apparel Manufacturing Management blog Dick’s Sporting Goods buyer letter.

5. working out loud: provide information on products: story: working out loud with a product for one client, why not document this. Work out loud once, the information is there for many more people, not just the client you did all the research for.

18. Connect

Do you want to go into more of a business type setting? Try Linkedin. I love the business atmosphere Linkedin has to offer. I love the groups.

Ways to use Linkedin Groups:

1. Try your local group. story: Yesterday I joined ASI Chicago. Let’s all join this group so we can connect.

I joined a local group in my area, put an request for t-shirt screeners, connected with 10 screeners right off the bat. I had the name of the owners, location, and recommendations in less than 24 hours. Do you know much time it saved me?

Did you know that Linkedin has an ASI show group? I love that group. I have connected with many supplier and distributors, and I am looking forward to connecting with you in the Linkedin ASI show group.

2. Profiles: Check out the profiles.

19. Connect

YouTube

And there is Youtube. Did you know that Youtube is the second largest search engine next to google? You can increase your credibility with how to videos on just about anything. Why not start with Youtube?

1. Instant fun at this workshop, right now! Do you have a smart phone with a camera? You are in business now! You can make a YouTube video of this social media workshop, from your smart phone, and put it on you tube instantly. I did this at a social media workshop once, and emailed the link to the presenter before he was finished with the presentation. Do you think that this separated me from the crowd?

Instant fun at ASI shows: my husband Allen I did this at the ASI Show in San Diego, we found a product for one of our favorite clients, ACCI book keeping, it was a fold out calculator. Because the product was interactive, we knew we needed a video. We made a youtube video and emailed it to her. Not only could she see it, but other interested clients could see it too. My next step: email the link to the supplier too and let them know that we loved the product.

3. Credibility building: One way to gain credibility is to provide a how to video. Remember when I said that YouTube is the second largest search engine next to Google? One of the reasons is that people use Youtube for how to projects. You can too! Just think of the possibilities in the promotional product industry! How contractors can use promotional apparel to get more bids and make more money. How churches can raise funds by selling t-shirts, How sports teams can help their sponsors AND raise money for their teams.

Connect

Twitter

Twitter: twitter in and twitter out: I love using twitter to push my blog news and Linkedin news.

Reweet too!

21.Connect

Meet Up

Meet up is where you can post meetings that you want others to join. Some examples are Toastmasters, networking groups, Lunch and Learns, Church groups. Meet up is a wonderful place to help clients, as you can post their events and open houses. It is a great place for you to find new networking groups, and groups that you might enjoy professionally and personally.

Connect

Facebook

Pick your room, pick your spot, but just start somewhere. Remember, it is a work in progress, and you really can’t plan on what is going to happen in social media, any more than you can plan what will happen in a room full of people. It is up to you when you get there, but we just have to get dressed up and go!

Facebook is great, it is has 200 million users. If Facebook were a country, it would be the world's fifth-largest, after China, India, the U.S., and Indonesia. That is a big room!

Two of the ways that people use Facebook: Personal Page and a Fan Page.

Try to keep the personal page personal and the fan page business, but, every once and awhile, you can mix them up, as long as the message gives your business credibility.

Secrets of Top Performers

24. Listen

Top performers in any network arena start by listening.

One way to start listening, is to sign up for google alerts. Google the words “google alerts.” You will be prompted to list something that you want Google to alert you about if someone mentions them on the internet. Start by asking Google to alert you if someone talks about you, your company, or a product of service you provide. For example: Carla Buchanan, and then Business Brandings and then custom t-shirts, Orange, Ca. These are three different alerts

This way, if a customer posts a positive comment I can see it and respond, or, a negative comment, I can see it and respond. I once heard of a company that had a Google alert and heard that a customer was angry because the pizza was late. The owner personally delivered a pizza to the customer and was able to help the customer get what they wanted and save the face of his company.

We compared social media sites to rooms, and going into a social media room is just like going into a room of people, you start first by listening. What if you walked into a crowded networking room and shouted, buy my t-shirts! People not only would not buy your t-shirts, they would think you are weird. It is the same thing with social media. Walk into the room, smile, and listen.

One of the best ways to listen is to go to your groups on Linkedin. Find groups where and find groups where you want to meet people. For example, for a I wanted to meet truckers and understand their business better. I joined a trucker group on Linkedin and connected with truckers. Mostly, I listened to their concerns and needs. They were very helpful and provided the information that I needed.

Go where your customers go, we could really never do that until social media came along. We used to have to guess what our customer wanted, and pay for expensive surveys. Now, you can go the places they go with a click of a mouse. Lets say, for example, that stay at home moms are your target market. You can join a Mother’s of Preschoolers group and find out their concerns and needs. If coaches are your market, you can join a coaching group. This is something that businesses could never do before, you can go where your customers go, and listen!

25.Comment more than you post

Compare commenting to starting a new conversation. Remembering thinking of social networking to in person networking, you don’t want to interrupt someone so that you can speak. Posting all the time, and not commenting on others posts, is like interrupting an in person conversation. The definition of interrupt is to stop a person in the midst of doing something. Interrupt in computers signals a need for attention. Remember this, by keeping the attention on the other person, they will learn to know, like and trust you more.

26.Praise more than you criticize

In other words, think of your social media like your in person networking. Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Lift them up with your support. Make a hamburger.

27.Use lots of images, videos and tags. You have heard a lot of talk about search engine optimization. This means that people, and companies, want to be on the top, or the first page, when searched googled. Here are a couple of little secrets that I discovered at a all day Google Ad Words Seminar: Google loves images. More than that, Google really, really loves images with captions. Captions that are simple for Google to read. An image caption might read: This is an image of Carla Buchanan at the ASI Show in Chicago. In other words, in your blogs especially, use lots of images with easy to understand captions. Google also loves videos. And Google is not picky if the video is high quality, it just loves video with lots of tags, and descriptions. Consider posting videos on YouTube first, then pushing them out by copy and pasting the web address on the Youtube video on Twitter and Linkedin. As far as your bog: post the actual video on your blog.

28.Use lots of tags. Google is smart, and it looks and reads what your post on the internet, but it really loves when you make this job easier, by posting tags on your blog and YouTube. Tags are the words, that you guess, people would use to search for your video on Google. In other words, the video that Allen will post on this workshop, might contain tags like Carla Buchanan, ASI Show, Social Media Boot Camp, Chicago. He could even put in McCormick Place, or Chicago Hilton. The reason he would do that is, people may stumble upon this video because they are searching for different words!

29.Think about Flash, Think about white text: You can use Flash all you want, of course, but according the to all day Google seminar that I attended, Google does not read what Flash has created. It is constantly working to improve this, and it can index better than it used to, but why take the chance? Make it easy for Google to read what you have to say, and stay away from Flash. Of course, that is, if getting to the top of the first page of Google is for so many people and businesses.

Think about white text: Again, you can use white text all you want, of course, but think about this: white text is hard for Google to read. So if getting to the top of the first page of Google, search engine optimization, is important to you, why make it hard for Google?

30.Do Your Own Social Media: Or, at least a good part of it, especially at the beginning. Many times I can tell when someone has hired someone else to be them. One tip off is the grammar. For example, I read a post from a high level executive named Irv, that , John and me are are our way to a meeting in New York. I knew it wasn’t Irv at all, probably an stand in intern.

31. Follow up on conversations and promises. Because social media networking is different from in person networking, we may tend to

take our promises lighter. For example, I will often promise someone that I will send them a link to something, or that I will keep them informed about something, like an upcoming meeting. These are promises that need to be kept.

32.Promote others more than yourself: There are so many ways to promote others! In fact, it may be easier to promote others than it is to promote yourself. And they love it! One of the easiest ways, is to retweet what someone has posted on twitter, repost what someone has posted on Facebook. Also, I absolutely love blogging about my customers and networking partners. They love it too! Sometimes I post images and videos of them with products that I sold them. Recently Alps Air Conditioning and Heating bought a huge dream wheel, prize wheel, for the Orange County Fair. The Alps Heating and Air Conditioning Staff loved it when I had them pose for a picture with the dream wheel, and posted it on my blog. This accomplished several things, it improved their staff moral, created excitement about the product, helped promote their business on the internet. For me, it allowed me to create a blog post that demonstrated what type of products I sell, show happy customers, and helped with my credibility with my client, Alps Heating and Air Conditioning.

33.Frequent Activity: Just like in person networking, the more your show up, the more you will be seen. This increases the changes that people will know like and trust you. Also, just by posting and blogging often, you will increase your search engine optimization, and rise to the top of Google’s first page. Google loves recent activity. It is kind of like, what have you done for me lately? Recently, my friend and client, Lisa Guentert, Mary Kay Cosmetics, came over to our house. For kicks and giggles, we googled her name. We could not find anything for her on the internet. So we had a little fun and performed a little experiment: Recently, we asked Lisa to shoot impromptu testimonial about our company, Business Brandings. Allen used a lot of tags, and posted the video on YouTube. In about 5 minutes, we googled her name again, and, you guessed it, she was on top of the page. Frequent activity plays a huge part in Search Engine Optimization.

Rookie Mistakes

35. Please help me with my social media workshop, posted on FB by Carla

Bryce Hill, Los Angeles, CA: check ins on Facebook

Sharon Jones Evans, Chicago, IL: profanity, mundane stuff, games

Laura Nuebauer, Orange County, CA: What to eat

Lynne Humphrey, Orange County, CA: event promotions and selling products

Madolyn Dunn, Little Rock, AR: every little thing, like dog business

41.The real Janet Jackson, Orange County, CA, games

42.Heidi Hogan Denman, Little Rock, AR: too much to do

Paige Buchanan, Fayetteville, AR: TV shows

Carla’s Sandbox

The power of social media. Helping out for free,as an intern, for a clothing manufacturer. Blog story.

Play in my sandbox and make social media be your playmate and friend.

Be transparent.

I recently was very transparent. People love to help. I recently posted, on my blog, twitter, facebook and Linkedin, that I needed help choosing a logo for my company, Business Brandings. Wow, on one Linkedin group alone I got 108 comments. There was buzz all over town about the logo choice. Here is what happened, people in my networking group, some I knew well, others I did not, were coming up and asking me about my logos. They wanted to know all about Business Brandings, what the company does, what it offers, it’s strengths, it’s philosophies, our tag line, etc. What a great way to talk about my new company. I couldn’t have possibly have paid for such interaction.

The interaction spread, literally, all over the world. People, who I had never met, started designing logos for Business Branidngs. I got two logo designs from India, one from Japan, two from Iraq, and one from a college buddy that I have not talked to in over 30 years. I ended up using the one my college buddy designed and now we have rekindled a relationship, and I have a cool logo.

Most companies, and people, think that they have to put out a perfect image. I think that it is the other way around. Your clients, customers, friends, family and staff all love to be involved with your company, and if they feel involved, they will be customers for life.

Don’t be afraid to be transparent.

The great thing about social media, is that it is instant. Make it work for you, now, today, and instantly. For example, I went to an ASI Roadshow in Las Vegas. I wanted to connect with the suppliers, more than just a supplier/distributor relationship. I used my iphone and had my associate take pictures of me with the supplier reps at each both. When I got home, and I wanted to get a quote, or sample, from the supplier I met, I sent them a copy of the image that I took of us. One supplier, said “Oh yes! I remember you! Thank you for the image of us, I printed it and it is on my wall in my office.” Do you think I got great service from then on? Do you think I helped her know, like and trust me?

Another recent example is this: I was asked to speak at the ASI Show in Chicago. I received a list of other new speakers. I used social networking to find out information about the other new speakers and I contacted them through social networking. Two of them responded and I was able to connect with them. About a month later, ASI asked me to facilitate a round table discussion after a speech in Chicago, given by, you guessed it, one of the new speakers, Kevin Knebl, that I had just connected with. See, you just don’t know where it is going to lead, and it is almost impossible to plan. But I can tell you, it is fun to connect through social media!

Another example is this: Many people these days love social media, and it seems like with all the reality shows everyone want to be a star. I have found that my customers, and the friends that I meet in my networking group, love it when I take a picture of them and feature them on my blog. It makes them feel important and it helps them to grow their business. It also helps them to know, like and trust me. Just the other day, I was in a training sessions and the facilitator said, in front of the group, “Carla made me feel so important, after our meeting, she posted my image and company information on her blog.” I posted that over a year ago, and I had almost forgotten about it. But she did not.

Action Items

Write the plan on your calendar

July 29, Set up profiles

August 1, start listening with Google alerts

August 8, start commenting

August 15, start posting

Handouts available
Contact Carla

Rice Krispie Wedding Cake, My favorite wedding cake of all time!

2011-07-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

My new company, Business Brandings, provides unique apparel, like really cute custom t-shirts. I can make you a custom shirt with THIS Rice Krispie Cake on the front! Or, how about a t-shirt that says I love Rice Krispie Cakes! Send me an email! carlabuchanan@businessbrandings.com.

A super-cute way for engaged couples to share their love of Rice Krispies Treats with their friends and family on their special day.

(Nutrition Information)

28 1/2 tablespoons (3 sticks + 1 1/2 tablespoons) butter or margarine, divided

9 1/2 packages (10 oz each, about 380 total) regular marshmallows, divided

- OR -

38 cups miniature marshmallows

57 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal

Canned frosting or decorating gel

Edible flowers, for decoration (optional)

Why use Kellogg's® Rice Krispies®?

1. In a large pot melt 9 tablespoons butter over low heat. Add 3 packages (30 ounces) marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add 18 cups KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using a buttered spatula or clean buttered hands, evenly press mixture into a 14 x 2-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray and lined with parchment paper. Unmold and let cool.

4. Meanwhile, in a large pot melt 7 1/2 tablespoons butter over low heat. Add 2 1/2 packages (25 ounces) marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

5. Add 15 cups KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

6. Using a buttered spatula or clean buttered hands, evenly press mixture into a 12 x 2-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray and lined with parchment paper. Unmold and let cool.

7. Meanwhile, in a large pot melt 6 tablespoons butter over low heat. Add 2 packages (20 ounces) marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

8. Add 12 cups KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

The wedding cake was made out of Rice Krispies. Here is a link if you want to make your own.
http://www.ricekrispies.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=rice%2Bkrispies&utm_campaign=Brand#/recipes/wedding-cake
Keala Newlon and Jared Allan Lang, wedding 7/10/2010, Rice Krispie Wedding Cake

What NOT to Tweet About

2011-05-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

Girl Scouts of Orange County Sew Simple Fashion Design Class

2011-05-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Which logo do you like better for Business Brandings?

2011-05-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Logo #1, twisted arrows

Logo #2, Reflecting Bs

Logo #3 a person

Logo #4, twists

As you may know, I launched Business Brandings, A Promotional Apparel Company, with a twist, January 2011. These logos are in the running for the official logo. Which one do you like?

Carla Buchanan Designs

KWIZ Radio Reunion, 2012

FIDM, The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, helps Business Brandings!

Label created by Carla Buchanan, for Haw Creek Honey

C. Allen McKnight, MD, Happy 75th Birthday!

Altered Couture-Stampington & Co. submissions

A New Altered Couture Design by Carla Buchanan

How to Throw a Gingerbread House Fun Day! See the Original Gingerbread House Fun Day Apron Created By Carla Buchanan, Business Brandings.

Ghost images I took in St. Augustine, FL

What to do in Asheville, NC

michel baudouin owner/chef

What to do in Nashville, Tennesse

Things to Do In Kansas City, MO

A Boutique Hotel that's Both Historic and Hip

Looking for Ideas for a Hair Stylist T-shirt!

Look What I Found at the NBM Show in Long Beach!

A Salt Shaker Visits a BNI Meeting: A Carla and Allen Buchanan video production

Fortune Teller Tells BNI Chapter Fortune (ok, it is me, really)

Laughing Sally, Fair Park, North Little Rock, Arkansas

NAWBO news, 4 women to WATCH, Hall of Fame

NAWBO® Inducts Four Women Entrepreneurs Into Its Inaugural Hall of Fame at the Women’s Business Conference 2011, August 31-September 1 in San Diego, California

Carla Buchanan, Here is My Resume!

Teaching Sewing for 14 Spanish Speaking Women at Garden Grove United Methodist Church is Orange

Networking Speech ASI Chicago, Carla Buchanan

ASI Social Networking Boot Camp Speech, Carla Buchanan

Rice Krispie Wedding Cake, My favorite wedding cake of all time!

What NOT to Tweet About

Girl Scouts of Orange County Sew Simple Fashion Design Class

Which logo do you like better for Business Brandings?