Inevitable Small Business Challenges {link up challenge #2}

Welcome to 

LINK UP CHALLENGE #2

of SMALL BUSINESS MONTH!

{If you're a new reader, HERE is what all the commotion is all about!}

In owning a small business, it is inevitable that you are going to come across a few bumps in the road.

GOING TO being the operative words there.

There's just no way around it.

But guess what?

When Small Business Owner A gets together with Small Business Owner B, and spills about her particular small business challenges, Small Business Owner A can save Small Business Owner B a heap of headaches, and since Small Business Owner A scratched Small Business Owner B's back, Small Business Owner B may have a few tricks up her sleeve for Small Business Owner A in the future.

So you see?

There's no need to suffer through some challenges when you have people to network with who can tell you how to AVOID those challenges.

{Either way though, you're going to run into a few problems}

Today's prompt is this:

tell about one challenge you've come across since you decided to start selling your merchandise, whether it be through an online retailer {Etsy}, during craft shows, or just from friend-to-friend. Could it be book keeping? Balancing the family? Creative block? Marketing challenges?

I have two fairly typical challenges that I'm facing at the moment:

1. Figuring out how to work SMARTER AND NOT HARDER {thanks, Ashley from The Shine Project!}. This is really difficult! What is the best way to ship my products? What should I charge people for shipping, because I'm pretty positive it's more than $2, including what you purchased in packaging. So mainly my problem has to do with figuring out the SMARTER way to handle FINANCES.

2. Time. So here's how it goes: as soon as Carter goes down for his nap, I'm bangin' out the business stuff, but two hours is just not enough! So what does that mean? It means I'm working on things at night, which would be fine, except that that was when my man and I would hang and be fools together. Chad is rooting for me, so it's all good, but I miss our time together! What to do, what to do?

Does anyone have any suggestions for me when it comes to figuring out the finances and time management? {not that I can foresee any great resolve in the time management sector, considering there's no way Carter would allow me to just cozy up to my sewing machine while he is tearing through the house.}

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Here are the rules:


1. You MUST sport the Small Business Month button
{as made beautiful by her}


2. You MUST check out at least three different partiers, because really, the bottom line is, we are here to NETWORK and PROMOTE like ANIMALS!


3. If you have any words of wisdom for any partiers, help a sister out and come forth with that advice! Again, we are here to support, network, promote, and to downright celebrate the awesomeness that is small business ownership!



Woohooo!


Grab a button and link up!

<center><a href="http://threesforme.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicole22.png"/></a></center>

Awkward and Awesome

It's THURSDAY

so you know what that means.....

IT'S TIME FOR AWKWARD AND AWESOME!

Oh, how I love it!

It's all just so awkward

and so awesome, all at the same time!

OB.SESSED.

Let's get goin', eh?

{Even though this is a precious picture now, it took us the entire photo shoot to perfect. I have tons of the same picture, just botched versions of it} 

AWKWARD

* Feeling like your stomach could literally pop. As in, my lower region feels like if I were to brush up against some sharp edge on accident, it's sayonara smooth skin forever. Forgive me for the blatantly obvious nature of this one, but seriously. This is nuts. I just passed the 26 week mark! What is it going to be like a measly ten weeks from this day? At that point, I will still have four weeks to go! What is going to happen?? What sort of abyss should I prepare myself for?? For heavens sakes!

* My eyebrows spiraling out of control. Okay, here's a cool fact: I have such tame eyebrows, I RARELY need to service those babies, and combined with their extremely light color {Hello, bitter}, I could really go a good six months without touching them. Honestly! But, if I stretch it that far, they get crazy. I'm talking bushman. They make my entire face look different, and it drives me nuts. That's what's going on right now.

* Me almost dropping Carter in the grocery store parking lot. I know. This is one of those things that EXTREMELY new parents fear, but alas, it's something to worry about even 21 months into the whole parenting gig. I was trying to swing him from the cart into his seat and somehow my left arm slid from it's secure, arm pit position, and the little guy almost fell. I was embarrassed, even though I'm sure no one was watching. Horrendous.

* Forgetting my golden rule of pregnancy: No, Nicole, that McCafe did not actually fill you up with good, nutritious food, but rather is playing with your mind to make you think you're full. Seriously, this is the compromise I made with myself at the beginning of my McCafe journey {well, the pregnancy portion of it, anyway}. You know how coffee can curb your appetite? Well, that's not okay with me while pregnant. All it does is produce some hideous monster that used to be Nicole. The other day I was so entrenched in whatever the heck I was doing that I forgot to eat. FORGOT! ME! Before I realized it, it had been four hours since my last meal. Four hours = death. I went nuts. I ripped apart my kitchen in a feeble attempt to make up for lost time. It didn't matter though; the damage had been done and Babe #2 was mad at me. The rest of my day was awful. Awful.

{So awesome: Chad with six-week-old Carter}

Awesome

* Small Business Month being so successful!

* Having Tuesday be a COMPLETELY DOMESTICATED day. Oh my gosh, the domestication! Chad and I woke up at 7:30 to rain {rain!}, and before Carter even woke up, I made cheesy croissants with bacon while my man got ready for work. THEN, after staying inside ALL DAY LONG with my Babe, playing, vacuuming, and continuing our counting adventure, I made some sort of beer chicken from an Oktoberfest Sam Adams which made the house smell heavenly {my goal was to not have to leave the house for the store, so options were limited}, with a salad and sweet potato fries. Afterwards, when the man left for class, I was going to start baking cookies, but sadly, I realized I couldn't because we had run out of eggs. Sheesh!

* Our shows coming back in full swing. Hello, NBC Thursday night line up. Hello, 19 Kids and Counting. Hello, The Little Couple. How I've missed you all.

* Approaching the 27th week of Babe #2's life! So amazing. This one is a feisty little one! He/she moves around constantly, and it makes me smile all day long.

* The Milk Duds waiting for me in my fridge. 

* Everyone's support for Small Business Month, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, or just on this here blog. Thank you so much! I.Love.It.

* Chad missing Carter like crazy. I know this isn't exactly awesome, per say, but there's just something so sweet about it. The poor guy has work all day then goes to class three nights per week until 10:00, so there will be stretches of days where sometimes he only sees Carter for a total of 15 minutes. He always begs for me to keep him up just a few more minutes so they can have man play time, and I love it. It kind of makes me want to cry just thinking about it. Tear.

* The three of us watching Dumbo together and me bursting out in tears when the mama elephant was torn away from her baby. Does anyone remember that movie?? Chad bought it because it was out of the vault, and MAN, IT.IS.SAD. The reason this is in the "awesome" category is because part of those tears was me picturing us sitting on the couch while it was raining outside under a big huge blanket. Heavenly.

* Me pulling out this crazy portfolio I had to complete for my capstone class in college. Who says you never use your major! More on that to come.

And in SMALL BUSINESS MONTH news,

are you plannin' on linking up today,

because you should!

{Just go "home" and you will find the prompt and LINK UP PARTY!}
{Or go HERE to find the prompt at the very bottom of the post!}
{Grab a button and get going on that fabulous, business savvy awesomeness of yours!}

<center><a href="http://threesforme.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicole22.png"/></a></center>{see you there!}

Hobby to Business {link up challenge #1}

So here we are at our first 

LINK UP PARTY!

This is the crux of the whole operation:

link up party = exposure

exposure = interest

interest = networking

networking = relationships

relationships = brand loyalty

brand loyalty = success!

{The first complete creation to come from my sewing machine}
{Messy, but loved}

Here's the deal, people.

- These link up parties are meant to be a sort of twice-a-week challenge -

a place to get those wheels turning,

a chance to view your business in a whole new light.

But since today is the first of a great many link ups,

let's celebrate by welcoming EVERYBODY!

{Even if your post is not exactly business related, that blog can be considered a small business within itself}

But since I'm a gal who likes a little structure, here is today's theme:

tell about the moment you decided to turn your hobby into your business, and if you haven't opened your "doors" yet, what is holding you back?

{Time? Finances? Fear?}

When I decided that I wanted to turn my hobby into a business, I really hadn't been "hobbying" for too long. In fact, I had only been sewing for a good few weeks {am I allowed to say that?}. Basically I was in dire need of some sort of challenge for my brain. Sometimes I get in these ruts where the only way out is for me to pick up some new sort of project. 

So one day I said to myself, "Hey, you know what? I'm just going to drive on down to mom and dad's house, pick up the ole' sewing machine, and teach myself how to use the darn thing."

And that's what I did as soon as my little guy woke up from his nap that same day. It was a great feeling, even though I literally had no clue as to what the heck I was doing. After much research {well, a few youtube videos}, I learned! After I had sewn a few hundred trial-and-error Little Man Neckties, it occurred to me that there was absolutely no way Carter would be able to sport all these things all on his own. I guess you could say it was my "Ah-Ha!" moment.
 A couple days later, I told my husband that I was going to open a shop and market myself through my blog.

On September 12 of this year, I opened that bad boy.

On the 18th, I made my first sale.

On the 19th, I bought my first set of packaging materials, and on the 20th I took an exhilarating trip to the post office. 

I.Was.Hooked.

Now it's your turn!

Grab a button and link up below!

{Gotta do it people! Or else you will get deleted, which means no networking, and no fun}


Here are the rules:
1. As mentioned, you MUST sport the Small Business Month button
{as made beautiful by her}

2. You MUST check out at least three different partiers, because really, the bottom line is, we are here to NETWORK and PROMOTE like ANIMALS!

3. If you have any words of wisdom for any partiers, help a sister out and come forth with that advice! Again, we are here to support, network, promote, and to downright celebrate the awesomeness that is small business ownership!

Woohooo!

<center><a href="http://threesforme.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicole22.png"/></a></center>
---------------------------------------
{And while you're being fabulous}Head on over to The Shine Project for a fabulous beyond fabulous GIVEAWAY!

Q&A with a Small Business Heavy-Hitter: Ashley from The Shine Project

Here's a cool fact:

Ashley from

The Shine Project

is a big believer in Small Business.

In fact, she loves it so much, she has offered us lucky readers her words of wisdom,

her knowledge,

her know-how,

her advice,

her overall AWESOMENESS!

Girlfriend is the founder of The Shine Project, is in the throes of writing her first book, recently opened an online vintage shop, has her first major benefit scheduled in two weeks, might as well place on her resume "interior decorator," and is an incredible wife.

WHAT? HOW?!

{I know, girlfriend is nuts}

{in a brilliant sort of way}

In reading over her responses, I myself practically executed a back flip in the name of excitement.

{belly and all}

She is just so ON!

Anyway, enjoy Ashley's words, and really take to heart what she is saying in regards to growing your small business.

At what point did you realize that you wanted to take the “activist” route in your business journey? In other words, when did you have your “Ah-Ha!” moment?

My Ah-ha moment happened really unexpectedly. I guess they always happen like that. I chose a word for the year to motivate me, and that word was SHINE. I made my first shine necklace to give to a widow, and her face lit up as she opened the package. When I was leaving she said, "You know, you really should sell these, you'd do a lot of good." And then my journey began...

In what ways have you incorporated “Ashley the Business Woman” into “Ashley the Activist?” Between operating The Shine Project blog, coordinating the extremely ambitious benefit coming up in the name of The Shine Project, writing your book, documenting your life, etc. etc. etc., there has to be some element of straight “business.” In what ways have you found that business woman within you?

I have always been self motivated. Even when I was in college, I would go to school full time during the day, and work 50+ hours a week. During my first year of school, I was a manager of a really large gym chain. I repeatedly set the record for the highest amount of sales each month, and my club was always #1. I realized then that I love motivating people that work for me, and that I have an ability to connect with people. My "business woman" side and "activist" side are all messed into who I am. I don't put on different faces with different groups of people, I am who I am. I always have my end goal in the forefront of my mind, and that is to send many high school students to college. That sole goal influences everything that I do.

You have written extensively about the importance of utilizing social networking sites such as Stumble Upon and Twitter. How would you say these sites have helped to promote your cause, or in the case of small business owners, their vision?

If you want to reach a large audience, you have to use resources that gives you the ability to do so. No one becomes successful sitting in their office, not meeting anyone. Business is all about networking, and introducing your product to as many people as you can. And after you introduce it to them once, you bring it back to them again, and again, and again. Stumble Upon and Twitter are two of the largest social media tools that you have to literally reach millions of people. Don't let them go to waste. 

How important would you say networking is to the promotion of a campaign such as yours, or to a small business? In what ways has networking allowed your cause to grow and flourish?

Networking is vital in any business. Without networking, I'd be nowhere. It's what gets you sales, sponsors, and audience, etc, etc, etc. From networking I've been able to plan a huge event (ah 2 weeks away!) and take an idea and turn it into a reality. Let people know who you are! If you're shy, put on a game face because you have to get out of your comfort zone. There's no growing in a comfort zone, and no comfort in a growing zone :)


In terms of product/image/marketing development (since The Shine Project can be considered a "product"), what were some of the ways you were able to mold and sculpt that intangible thing called a "brand?" Was it mainly through your blog? Networking? What would you tell someone trying to create their own brand?


I created my brand by staying consistent with things that I was blogging about and doing. When people think of The Shine Project, they think of motivation and service. This is because from day one I was showing service projects, writing stories that encouraged my readers success, and I have continued to do this. To create your own brand, you have to be consistent. You also need to create something that is different from everything else. You can do this in the little details, and through your unique personality. People love brands that they can trust and relate to. To me, those are the most important factors. 

Do you have any words of wisdom when it comes to balancing your small business (or in your case, your campaign), home life and social obligations, as so many of us do?

Let's be honest, this is something that's very hard to do. I am SO busy with The Shine Project that I am unable to sleep at night because my mind is on overload. Just this week I started a new rule. When my husband is gone for 11 hours of the day working, that's my time to work as hard as I can. When he gets home, my work is over as well. I realized I was literally working at least 70 hours a week. Allow yourself to unwind. Set limits, reach your goals, and run your business. Don't let it run you.

What are your thoughts on “burning yourself out” in regards to a fledgling small business owner? Some say that’s the only way to build a business, others think that’s the one way to drive your business into the ground. What is your take on placing boundaries on your work time, especially to someone who runs their business/campaign from home?

You have to make sacrifices to be successful, especially when you're first starting out. Be smart about your decisions, and like I said before, don't let your business over run you. Set clear and reachable goals. One of my philosophies is to work smarter, not harder. There's a huge difference between working smart and working hard. Make smart choices.

If you could look back and tell “Beginner Ashley” a piece of advice, what would it be?

You know what, I still am beginner Ashley! I just started The Shine Project in January. My first huge event is coming up in 2 weeks, and it's stressful, fun, and so crazy I can't even begin to tell you. After that, many new things will be introduced to the shine project, and it makes me excited and nervous all at once. Ask me this question in a couple of years, I'm still trying to figure things out :)

Well, thank you so much, Ashley, for giving us some insight into your world as a successful small business owner/campaign founder/book writer/everything amazing! We truly appreciate it, and are so lucky to have your support! 

Don't forget about tomorrow's Link Up Party where we will be discussing

the moment you decided to turn your hobby into your business, and if you haven't done so yet, what is holding you back?

{I'll see you tomorrow with those networking posts!}

Grab a button!

And thanks for making Small Business Month such a success!All the support, be it through Facebook, Twitter, or just your interest in this little month, is much appreciated!

-------------------------------------

Winner of Small Business Month kick off giveaway: BRIANNA RICHARDSON{Congratulations!}nicole.cisneros1223@gmail.com
Linking up 





And here

And here

Pregnancy.

Saturday was the first day in a long time where I felt completely out of whack.

My back hurt,

my shoulders were tense,

the hunger was relentless,

I could barely lean over to put on my shoes.

So I think I may be rounding the bend into the body rebellion portion of pregnancy.

And you know what's weird?

I never felt like this during Carter's pregnancy.

Not one bit.

I was chipper as all chip.

I probably could have done a back flip, had I wanted to.

Which, you know, I just didn't feel like doing....

{ahem}

I really miss wearing heels.

I really miss not feeling like a balloon that's about to pop.

I really miss not having to worry about a stupid migraine coming along and ruining my day.

I really miss not wanting to hit the hay as SOON as 11:00 strikes.

{I really wish I wasn't having extremely superficial thoughts like this}

All of which sort of scare me, because I'm not even into the REALLY crazy balloon-popping, non-heel-wearing, keep-the-migraines-at-bay stage which is, of course,

post 30 weeks.

But man....

There's no better feeling in the world.

{And maybe that Babe #2 is a girl?!}

{LOVE}

Just a few facts and figures

{Oh, you know, just relishing in the delight of Small Business Month}

Okay, so far Small Business Month has been a great success,

and guess what?

IT'S ONLY DAY 2!

Sheesh kapeesh!

Already I have come into contact with some of the most amazing small business owners, and have chatted about their visions, thoughts, and basically,

their dreams.

Cheers to Small Business Month!

{TINY baby}

A few announcements

* Today I am guest posting over at Royal Daughter Designs, so hurry, hurry over there!

{Did I mention that she's the genius behind my blog revamp? Yeah. She's amazing.}

* Ashley from The Shine Project will be sharing her words of wisdom with us TOMORROW! 
ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh.

Trust me, you will be obsessed with her Q&A session, and will learn a thing or two!

* This Tuesday, October 4th marks our first Link Up Party! Get those business-related posts set to go!

{Honestly, is there any better networking tool than a link up party? I think not!}

Here is the theme/challenge:

Tell about the moment you decided to turn your hobby into your business, and if you have not opened your "doors" yet, what is stopping you?

{Time? Resources? Fear?}

{Male bonding time}

Some FACTS

{source}

* Women entrepreneurs are downright happier. That's right, all you Etsy shop owners! Often times women create their own businesses either as a means to escape previous career disappointments, or as "side projects." I don't know about you, but the majority of small business owner's I've come into contact who sell their merchandise through online retailers {Etsy}, are balancing families, households, pets etc., therefore qualifying their business venture a "side project." Well, guess what? You are happier than a man {and a better life juggler}!

* In the market right now, women show a greater fear of business-related challenges. Debt, financial management, lack of technical knowledge, family obligations, you name it. Women just so happen to fear these things more than men. Especially for indie-based entrepreneurs {again, Etsy}, start up costs seem scary and more of a "black hole" than a means to an end. Well, we just have to stop thinking that way. Period. End of story. 

You have to spend money to make money.

{More on this to come throughout the month}

* Taking yourself seriously. {source: me!}. Look, I get it. It's sort of scary and embarrassing to announce to your girlfriends that you've decided to open up your own little "shop" online. Of course they cheer you on and whatnot, but how are you presenting those facts to them? Are you saying something along the lines of, "Oh, you  know, I'm just going to see how it goes....." even though you'd rather say something like, "Look, ladies! I've figured out a new way to bring home the bacon, and I'm going to be darn successful at it!" For some odd reason, it's hard for people to admit that they're going out on a limb {especially, it seems, for moms}. But guess what? That's what this month is all about. It's about moving from the "Oh, this is just a fun side project for me {but it's secretly something I hope to become successful at}" category, to the "Hell yeah, I'm going to that craft fair this weekend, and I'm going to kick some major retail butt!" category.

It.Will.Be.Great.

{Mi Amore}

And some updates

* My small McCafe was glorious this morning

* I love the fact that I have to go to the Container Store this weekend and purchase packaging for Three's {4} Me Monday's post office outing 

{which, by the way, if anyone has some good packaging advice, send it my way, because although I get super excited to go to the Container store - who wouldn't? - it's mui expensivo}

* My man is going to the Charger's game today and he is ultra amped

* I saw I Don't Know How She Does It last night with my lady friend for a much needed girls night catch-up session

* And most importantly, on Saturday I hit the 26 week mark for Babe #2!

Yay!

And could you vote for a gal?

MUAH.

SMALL.BUSINESS.MONTH.IS.HERE + {giveaway}

Welcome to Small Business Month!

Today officially kicks off the beginning of 31 days filled with 

GUEST POSTS

LINK UP PARTIES

INDUSTRY HEAVY-HITTERS Q&A SESSIONS

ADVICE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

NOT ONE, BUT TWO MASSIVE GIVEAWAYS DESIGNED TO CELEBRATE SB

So here's the deal, people:

Every Monday during the month of October there will be either a guest post or Q&A session from industry know-how's, three of which being Casey Wiegand, Ashley from The Shine Project and Gussy from Gussy Sews.

More guest posts from indie business owners will be sprinkled throughout the month.

Every Tuesday and Thursday there will be a link up party with themes/challenges regarding small business designed to provide a forum for networking, support and exposure.

There will be two massive group giveaways, spanning three days each, also designed to promote, celebrate and expose the small business owners.
{First group giveaway: October 11-13}
{Second group giveaway: October 25-27}
Contact me if you would like to be included in one of these giveaways,
space is filling up!


This Tuesday's Link Up Party Theme/Challenge:
Tell about the moment you decided to turn your hobby into your business, and if you have not opened your "doors" yet, what is stopping you?

Be ready to link up on Tuesday, October 4th!

So what shall we do to kick this baby off?

A GIVEAWAY, eh?

That's exactly what I was thinking! 

One lucky reader has the opportunity to win 

one of the pouches from my shop

which includes

{but are not limited to}

Along with a Little Man Necktie for the BIG MAN in your life

{More options in shop}

And a free large ad spot on

Three's {4} Me!

To enter:

You must be a follower of Three's {4} Me - required

Like Three's {4} Me on Facebook

Follow Three's {4} Me on Twitter

Favorite Three's {4} Me on Etsy

Leave a comment for each - required

And just as a reminder -- if you are a small business owner and would like to be featured in one of the two massive group giveaways coming up this month, contact me

nicole.cisneros1223{at}gmail{dot}com

Also don't forget to head on over to Mrs. T to enter the giveaway if you haven't already!

And grab a button!