Nature's Nook

Women in Politics

2008-10-03T09:36:00.003-04:00

I wasn't going to write about politics in this blog. As the saying goes "never mix politics and business". However, being a woman in business, I fully support women in politics. We have entered an age where it's finally acceptable for women to hold the same position as men. To be paid the same. And, get this, even raise a family.

However, I have one stipulation. The woman must also be qualified for the job. Don't just pick a woman, because, well she's a woman. Maybe even a good looking woman.

Yes, you know where this is going. I give Govenor Palin tons of credit. She's climbed the Republican ladder farther then any other woman. But she's a prop. She's a calculated risk taken by John McCain. Why was she chosen? Because she's hot (sure, she's a good looking woman). She's a mother (hello hockey moms). And because she's.....a she.

If anyone has seen her Katie Couric interview, you'll love this sketch from Saturday Night Live

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/couric-palin-open/704042

Good luck with that on-the-job training, Governor.

My first BIG festival

2008-09-23T11:46:00.005-04:00

In a recent post I wrote about how I was invited to vend at the Rochester Pagan Pride Day festival. I was so excited that some one thought my stuff was good enough to be sold at their festival. It was going to be my first big one, expecting almost 500 people.

Needless to say I was in a panic. How will it go? Can I handle 500 people? Will they like my stuff? Do I have enough product? I spent the previous weeks in a mad flurry making sure I was ready.

In the end, it was not what I expected. There was nowhere near 500 people. I learned that it wasn't advertised very well. And I don't know why. But it wasn't. I would guess maybe 200-300 people max. I was a little disappointed. However, for the amount of people that were there, I did pretty well on my sales.

But I do want to point out that the people I met were fantastic. The organizers worked very hard at putting together workshops and activities for the day. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, even to us non-pagans.

But I'm sure I share their same sentiments, I wish there were more people.

It's true, you get what you pay for

2008-09-23T11:39:00.002-04:00

On my recent business trip to Atlanta, I needed to rent a car. Of course, trying to save money I booked my rental with EZ-rent-a-car. A very no name, low budget operation. Well, it didn't take me too long to find out why. The service I recieved was horrible. The girl behind the counter couldn't be bothered. She was in a hurry to leave. She nearly charged me for the wrong reservation. And didn't even get the words "have a nice day" out of her mouth before she was packing up her stuff and heading out the door.

The car she gave me was filled with stains. Now, I rent cars often and the occasional splotch is expected. But we are talking full out stains all over the upholstry. I was mortified. I walked back in, cancelled my reservation and walked next door to Enterprise.

Normally, I would never book with Enterprise because I find them to be the most expensive. But in this case, I was getting what I was paying for. They were so friendly. I explained my situation and they were very eager to help. The gentlemen I was working with not only gave me a 10% discount, but walked me out to the car and carried my luggage. He was proffessional and courteous.

A lesson learned. Saving money is not always the best option.

Making my own stuff

2008-08-31T22:33:00.002-04:00

As my business starts to take off, I've started looking for ways to maximize my profit, limit my overhead and just get involved. I first decided I would start to make my own bath salts. Knowing that fewer people these days take baths, I still figured it was an easy avenue to travel down. And although, there were little bumps in this road, it still turned out a little trickier then imagined. What scent shall I make? What ratio of epsom salts to sea salts should it be? How should I package it? I'm still working on all this, but so far two out of three of my scents have been well recieved.

The next venture....making my own soy wax candles. Stay tuned for this one.

I've been invited.....

2008-08-15T09:29:00.007-04:00

I wish I could say to the white house. But not just yet. Give me at least a year for that.

It was a Sunday. My booth was set up at the Public Market downtown. My mother sat there for me selling my stuff while I had to work. Don't you hate it when work gets in the way of play? And then it happened.

My first invitation to a festival. They saw, they liked, they invited. Even though I wasn't there. Way to go mom!

So without further ado, I introduce my first ever invitation: The Rochester Pagan Pride Day Festival, Ellison Park, Sept 20, 2008 9:30 am - 6:30 pm. It's their 10th annual, so I'm hoping for a great turnout!

For more info on the festival check out: Rochester Pagan Pride 2008
For more info on my stuff and other upcoming events, chek out: Nature's Nook, New York

THE website

2008-08-05T09:37:00.003-04:00

Can I have a drum roll please? Here it is. My first. My only. My website. Just click on the link below.

www.naturesnooknewyork.com

Check it out. Let me know what you think. Pass it around. I'm still making changes to it, so check back often!

My first 'show'

2008-08-03T21:04:00.003-04:00

Today was my first day of real business. And I think it was a success. I set up a table at the downtown "flea" market. Laid out all my product, made it look all nice and pretty. I had business cards. Flyers. And a smile.

My mother helped out as we sat and waited.

I won't say that I sold A LOT, but I did sell some. So that in itself was a success. But the really good part...I started to get my name out. People were interested. They took my business cards. They took flyers. And they wanted me to be back next week.

So, although it's not the fountain of fortune (yet) it was a great start! And I'm happy to say, I will be back next week.

Yippeeee

My first meeting

2008-07-08T23:45:00.003-04:00

Went...well ok.

I packed up a little bag with all I have to offer. Which, granted, isn't a lot right now. But it's a start. I typed up a price sheet with a nicely done cover letter.

Drove my happy butt over there and met with the owners. I showed them everything, told them a little bit about me and what I was hoping to accomplish.

It ended with "I think we're interested, but let us think about it and we'll email you".

Needless to say, I'm not super excited about this. I hope it comes through. But I won't be surprised if it doesn't.

Looking back I realize there are things I could have done better. As some one mentioned to me, I should of had an order form with me. So if they were interested, they could have placed the order right then and there.

I should have had all my product. I felt sort of empty.

If anything, it was a learning experience.

Things are in full swing!

2008-07-03T20:40:00.002-04:00

Oh my! Things are really getting on their way. I've got an EIN. I filed for my sales tax authority form. I've got product. I have the phone company coming on Monday to install my business phone line.

And...

I have my first business meeting on Tuesday. I'm so excited. I've found a cute little store that might be interested in carrying my baskets.

And..

I've got another place lined up that I need to call and make an appointment to meet with the owner. This is a pilates/yoga place that also might be interested.

And..

When the phone line is all set I can then order my business cards.

Moving right along.......

It's official!!

2008-06-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

I'm a business! That's right. The news came back from the county clerks office and Nature's Nook, New York has been accepted. Although I did get a nice personal note telling me that I could have trouble because of the previous registration. But with this letter I got a copy of the DBA filed in 1978.

So, I have the person's name, address and phone number. Maybe I'll drop this person a nice little note asking them to render the situation.

But..alas. I am good. I am official. I'm a business. Now what.....

Try and try again

2008-06-25T22:20:00.002-04:00

Needless to say I was quite put off by the whole name thing. Not being able to use the name I want because some Joe (or Jane) Shmo used it in 1978. Blah.

However, I am thankful to those who helped with trying to come up with some other names. I'm particularly partial to the one "nature's a bitch especially when you live in a flood plain". But, alas, I thought it would not help sell my products, or any product for that matter.

So I have settled on a new name. Introducing....

Nature's Nook, New York

Does it have the ring of some majestic Garden of Eden nestled somewhere in the state of New York? No? I didn't think so either, but I still liked it and it allows me to keep Nature's Nook. I've refilled my DBA and am awaiting the final answer.....

REJECTED!!!!

2008-06-18T20:33:00.002-04:00

That's what it said on the top of my DBA paperwork. A DBA, or "doing business as" is the form you file with the County Clerk's office to establish your business name. It makes you official. Today I got back in the mail with a big fat REJECTED stamped on top.

Why? Because in 1978 somebody started a business named Nature's Nook. The name is already taken. Of course it doesn't matter that this business no longer exists. There is no current business in this area with that name. Not that I can find. 30 years ago some one took my name and it's still on the books....I'm out of luck.

Back to the drawing board.

Home is where the business is...

2008-06-13T21:12:00.002-04:00

And the heart. I suppose. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, but I've decided to start my business out of the home. A necessary evil. Why? You might ask. Or you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyways.

One, it's cheaper. I don't have to pay to stock a store, pay a lease or spend money on design.

Two, I don't think anyone would lease to me anyways. I'm a start-up business. I have no major capitol backing. I'm young. I'm female. I'm...excuse, excuse, excuse. Anyways, if I start it home based and build some (hopefully) income, sales and customers then I might have an easier time finding a place to rent.

After some major brainstorming (thanks mom) I've decided to go in the gift basket route. I'll still be selling natural soap (thanks Kat) along with organic wash clothes, loofahs and pumice stones. I've found some biodegradable au-natural wrapping for the baskets.

I'll have a website. I'll target everyone and their mother, brother, rabbi, priest, monk, hairdresser, babysitter, mistress... and so on. I'll offer a la cart (meaning you don't have to buy an entire basket, just the item/s in it). I'll offer design your own (you pick it, I stick it....in a basket that is). I'll deliver (assuming it's in town).

Oh this is going to be more work then I imagined, but hopefully it will be worth it.

Update

2008-06-09T09:11:00.001-04:00

A lot of people have been asking me what's going on with the business. So here is an update. I had found a store front I liked. I really like it. Thought it would be perfect. I filled out an application, talked with the leasing manager and did all that stuff. Now he's not returning my calls. I'm frustrated. I feel like he wasted my time and strung me along for a few weeks.

Now I am back to the drawing board. Kicking around new ideas that might work.

But I have NOT given up. And that's what's important. right?

Tourist Season Begins

2008-05-23T08:13:00.004-04:00

And it's great for business. For years I have lived in tourist oriented cities. Without tourists, businesses in Charleston and Florida would fall and crumble. But I never thought of Fairport, NY as a tourist destination.

Guess what? I'm wrong. Fairport is a small village of about 6,000 people that sits right on the Erie Canal. During the annual Canal Days festival, over 400 people flock to this small village. Too bad my business won't be ready for this year's festival. However, all through the summer people travel the canal going from one "fair" port to another.

Recently I was told a great FREE way to advertise is with the Dock Master. Who is this mystery person? I don't know. But every boat that docks in Fairport is required to check in with the Dock Master. And when they do, they get a nice little packet telling them what's happening in town. You bet my ad will be in that nice little packet. After all, it's free and they are tourists. Tourists love to spend money.

Dressing the part

2008-05-22T23:32:00.006-04:00

Do you pay attention to the way people dress? I do. Not in that fashion snob kind of a way. I admire all kinds of styles. But I do believe what we wear on the outside is a small reflection of who we are on the inside. Even if it's work related.

As a biologist I wore jeans and flip flops. As a gardener, I wear jeans and sneakers. No doubt I'm an outdoors kind of person. And often I get tired of wearing jeans. So when I went hunting for outdoor durable pants I found these 5.11 tactical pants. I have to admit, these are pretty cool. The description says there's extra room to stow away my handcuffs! Left over from last year's Halloween costume, of course. But seriously, they're durable and they are tough.

I think that reflects who I am on the inside, don't you?

Building a website

2008-05-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

Many people ask me if I'm going to have a website with my store. My answer: yes.

What kind of website, they ask. My answer: I dunno

And that's the truth. I don't know the first thing about designing a website. Then I did some research and realized it's not as hard as I thought it would be. There are templates already out there. Some are a little more complicated, like here, but it does allow a little more freedom to design what you want.

For the more technically challenged, there's the WAHM shoppes estores. Full of pre-designed templates. No HTML programing required, unless it's something you want to do. Choose from over 80 themes, or do your own. It's flexible. And the best part, it's really cheap.

SCORE!!!

2008-05-13T21:38:00.010-04:00

Reading this post title reminds me of two summers ago sitting at the beach house on Folly Beach, SC and watching Italy win the World Cup. My Italian friends were on the edge of their seats as I heard "goooooooooooooooaaaal". Marco Materazzi, the Italian center back, rushes forward, scores and the match was over.

But this isn't that type of score, this is about business. SCORE is a core of entrepreneurs who essentially have been there and done that and now offer free, confidential advice to those who want to do what they did. They are basically counselors to America's next generation of small business owners.

I met with my SCORE representative today. We talked about what SCORE can do for me, including workshops. We talked about various marketing strategies, financial strategies, and business plan strategies. It's a great wealth of information for anyone striving to own their business and I learned a lot.

I feel ready to charge ahead....like an Italian soccer, I mean football, player.

Pay it Forward

2008-05-10T09:31:00.005-04:00

I spend a lot of time on the internet doing research. I look for new product, business help and what other people (or my competition) is doing. Every once in awhile I come across some one's blog that really interests me. Then I find myself sitting here, cup of coffee in hand, reading it instead of doing what I should be doing. But that's ok. I was reading this blog and the first thing that caught my eye was her Kiva page.

I had no idea what it was until I read her blog. Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It's actually pretty fascinating. You lend money to people who are in serious need for some capital to better their lives, usually through starting a business. And being that I am somewhat in this same boat, I thought it fitting to me and my blog. Now, borrowing through Kiva is not for me, but should I become a successful business person, perhaps I can return the favor and help some one else out.

1st day on the job

2008-05-09T20:07:00.001-04:00

Was...boring, exhausting, and boring. But I'm sure it'll get better. After all, it's only the beginning of the season. And it beats sitting at a desk all day analyzing numbers or writing papers that won't get published. Then again, perhaps it's not. Ask me again in a week.

Do you have a business plan?

2008-05-09T10:08:00.003-04:00

I get that question a lot. So, enough already. I'll write the plan.

I have been spending the last two days working on a plan. I have a book I got from the library "Business plans made easy". LIARS! Big fat liars! A decent business plan is NOT easy. Ok, so the original guys behind Southwest Airlines wrote their plan on the back of a cocktail napkin, got thousands worth of venture capital and started one of the largest airline companies serving the west coast. Good for them. But I don't think that's going to work for me.

Essentially, a business plan describes what the business is and the plans for the next several years. It's important to be realistic and spell out all aspects of the business. Money, people, place, things....all of the above.

The internet is full of templates. Which does makes it easier. Just follow what some one else did and it should be a piece of cake, right?

That's what I thought. But there is research involved. You need to research the kind of market you will be it. Is it growing? You need to research the kind of money you'll need to start up. How much will it cost to get the doors open?

But in the end, I think it's a worth while exercise. I guess that's why so many people ask for the plan. So....here's your plan

I got a job

2008-05-08T18:16:00.002-04:00

Yes, I did. Some one out there in this world felt I was worthy of hiring. For a wonderful $8 an hour! Wow, I have come so far. But hey, it's money in the pocket and I can't complain.

So what crazy people decided to employ me? A nursery. No, not babies. Plants. I get to work outside all day. I get to be around nature's beauty. And I get paid an astounding $8/hour. Who could ask for more then that?

A place to lay my product

2008-05-07T17:21:00.001-04:00

Today I looked at a potential retail space. I used my imagination to turn it into the perfect store. It needs a paint job. It needs some homey touches. It needs some TLC. But it's a great location. Sandwiched between the library and a Curves, it also finds itself under a wellness studio, home to yoga and pilates. Hello ladies...come on in and buy something. Seriously, these places have already done the leg work for me, clients in every direction.

So, what's the problem with it? Money...money...money. That's the only thing stopping me. Some one suggested today that I need to start asking people for money. Here goes..want to give me money?

Doesn't hurt to ask, right?

My Crazy Eights

2008-05-05T23:44:00.006-04:00

My Crazy Eights

I was tagged by The Independent Mom to post eight crazy random things about myself. Well, why not find out a little bit about the person behind the business. So, here they are!

* I want to start a business with no money.

* I have no radio in my car. Instead I listen to my own thoughts.

* I don't like naked toes. My toe nails must be painted at all times. Any color will do.

* I play underwater hockey.

* I'm addicted to LOST.

* I can drink 5 cups of coffee and still take a nap afterwards.

* I don't kill bugs in my house. Instead I practice capture and release.

* I love oreo cookies for dinner.

TAGGING RULES:

Each player starts with 8 random things about themselves.

At the end of your post, tag 8 people and include their names & links.

Those who are tagged will post about their own 8 random things, including these rules as well.

Don’t forget to leave them a comment on their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to come back and read your blog for the whole story.

To join in the fun, I'm tagging (I don't know 8 people with blogs that haven't been tagged yet):

Sudstress

Front Porch Friendly

2008-05-05T19:08:00.005-04:00

Today I visited the Fairport Village Partnership. Their goal:

Keeping Fairport Front-Porch Friendly.

Isn't that cute? Sure, but what does it mean? Well, they basically work to improve quality of life and business climate in the village.

I walked in and introduced myself to the lone guy in the office. I told him who I was and what I was doing in Fairport. He then asked me "Do you have a business plan?" I managed to squeak out a measly "no" and thought to myself, I knew this was coming.

However, we must have talked for an hour. We talked about my business and business in Fairport. Life in Rochester and more specifically life in Fairport, which is really different. We talked about existing businesses. Ones that have made it and ones that haven't. By the end of the time, he had a better understanding of who I am and my goals. And he was very supportive.

I have already invited him to my grand opening.