A blog about my daily candle making ideas, blunders, tips, and promoting my candle business.
Depending on how I feel you might get anything!
Enjoy!
Contents:
Happy Holidays and Enjoy your Time
I haven't been here in a while. Things have been moving so fast, I can hardly keep up. I started coaching basketball at my job. That has taken time away from Betty's Only. To be honest, I haven't even checked my mail. Some things that are still in the working: brochure, pictures, magazine, online candle sells.
Candles have been sold, overall about $250.00 worth for the Holiday Season. About $750.00 short of my goal. Something is better than nothing right?
I am off unil January 5. I need to sort out my to do list for my break!
I was told that I am afraid of success. Maybe I am, I know I need to work hard for the things I want out of life. Why do I always sobatauge myself. Betty's Only has made many advances, I can't stop now. Keep watching, my growth wil be great!
Slowly Moving Forward, Even if it is Slow Forward Movement is Always Good
I have been trying to send Tucan the information for the brochure and order form, but I keep running into problems. When I tried the first time she couldn't open up the information. The next few times the files where too large. I sent some information today, I just sent 3 pictures per email, this way the files wouldn't be too large and hopefully she will be able to open them. I need to look over what she emailed me in reference to what I need to send her. It is moving along and I am glad.
Overall, I think to build anything takes time and effort. I have the time and I am putting forth the effort.
There really hasn't been much going on with Betty's Only. My personal life has been on a go, that's probably why I haven't done much with the company. One thing I have accomplished is the labels for the candles. The fragrance is on the label now and I have my business cards. I have already reformatted the card to use front and back. Other than that it has been the same old thing. I am still working with Tucan to design my brochure and order form. I just paid for it last week, I haven't sent the necessary pictures to complete them. I apologize for the delay. I think that is what I will work on now. Life happens and then what?
I will send the pictures now via email and not as an attachment so this can get done. It will work itself out. I know it will. I am my biggest problem.
Encouragement Comes from Where You Least Expect It
Today was somewhat a dramatic day. A car got stolen from my drive way with keys to the house on the key ring. Johnathan came over to change the locks for me. We hung out all day. He came into my candle room and started talking about how I have money just waiting to be made. That was crazy to me. I begin explaining that I have been making candles, but am not doing too well selling them. He said that the time now is to make candles and build inventory. I should have at least 1000 candles. At that point, the packaging should be right, and the process complete. Meaning, the website up and running (making sells), brochure, order form, professional photos, price list, and have done a couple of craft shows.
That entire conversation put much in perspective for me. I felt all warm and cozy inside. He also said that a beneficial part of my making candles is that I enjoy making them. I make them not to receive a profit. The profit will come later once the entire process is complete. I look forward to the growth and seeing how the company matures.
Thanks Johnathan, I really needed this encouragement and motivation. I am maturing and I am proud to be the owner and Creator of Betty's Only.
Thinking of My Process to Build Betty's Only Betty's Only must have a professional image consisting of coordinating gift bags, labels, business cards, tissue paper, price list, order form, match books, packaging, and there are some other things too. Reorganizing and growth is a great process that takes time and precision.
As of today, Betty's Only has sold $27 + $10 + $5 + $10 + $55 is $107. $893 to go until $1000 before January 1, 2008. I can do it. It's just a matter of getting them out to the public.
I will have more information on how my process will actually go.
Things need to get done:
Brochure Order Form Gift Bags Labels with type of candle Professional pictures Secured website
Today, I have a meeting with someone pertaining to the overall development of Betty's Only. I look forward to what she may have to tell me to better my business. Currently, I have match books, business cards (ordered via Office Max 7-10 turn around), and a price list. In the works, a brochure and order form. Slowly, planting seeds for future growth.
This weekend there is a craft fair, due to me having candles on consignment I can participate for free. That is good, I have never done anything like that and I always wanted too. I have to contact the lady for this endeavor.
I am positive about what Betty's Only has to offer. I give myself 1 year to have things up and going. Believe and achieve is what I feel today. Planting seeds sometimes takes a long time to see the growth. There has been and will be growth for my company. I will not promise that I will stay positive because that is human. I am human, but I feel the company has much to offer. The candles are different, fragrant, long lasting, and made with love from me. What seems to be funny is that people purchase them and don't use them. Use them because that is what they are for.
I am ok now, how long it will last I don't know. Looking forward to my business meeting and building my company. Blood, sweat and tears will bring Betty's Only to the forefront of this industry. Professionalism is what I am to achieve. Stick with me and watch the growth.
As for the brochure and order form, having serious computer issues at home. I will tried to resend the information, but it failed to send. Problems, if that doesn't work again, I will put more photos here so they can be copied and pasted on my information. I may seem scattered and I know that about myself, but overall, I am making moves in a positive way and supporting myself and my business.
I have My Ups and Downs :( I should be happy, no, but not me. I did sell $37.00 worth of candles. A friend came yesterday and wants to incorporate the candles in with her bath salts. A great idea. I gave her $55.00 worth, so all in all, I have sold $92.00 worth of candles. I am very proud of Betty's Only for this accomplishment. I also have to make a V-Lite Sampler for someone.
The reason I say I have ups and downs is I feel I could be doing so much better, but that depends on the outside influences. I see others using the Internet to promote and I have even fallen for the antics, but no support. I am learning right now and there is still more to learn, but what am I doing wrong? What can I do to better the situation? I know, continue to move forward and keep my head up. Betty's Only needs to have a web presence and I really honestly don't know what it takes to get that done. I interact in Twitter, I leave comments on other blogs, I push the website. Still no online purchases, no comments, except from people that I told to do it.
My bad, I know, I just needed to clear my chest, because this is too much. $908.00 before the end of the year. In the process of having a brochure designed and an order form. Those that get orders for me will get a gift. I think I have 3 people that will take out the forms for me. I know was bad today, but I really needed to get this off of my chest.
Building, Growing, Learning, Expanding
Betty's Only is doing big things. Sometimes there are spurts of people wanting to purchase candles. I have an order to fill. I said that $1000.00 before December 31 is what I am looking toward. Currently, I have sold $37.00 worth of Betty's Only candles. I have got to get with a wholesaler for candle handlers. That will another addition to the company. A friend called yesterday and asked about some candles for an event their doing at her church. I am making a price list. The meeting is later this evening. I will take some samples, price list, and and order form with me.
Charisma came down this weekend and we talked about the face of Betty's Only. Many good suggestions were given to enhance the business. New business cards, labels, and bags. Upgrade http://www.bettysonly.biz/ with new things that will be beneficial for a candle user. Put more candles on www.etsy.com/bettysonly. Learn from others that are doing well. Make solid colors. Things are getting better.
Gifts Bag are Needed
I contacted a company pertaining to gift bags for Betty's Only. I am also interested in packaging. Branding my company. This is a great beginning. The gift bags come in 250 per order. I may just start with the medium bags first. I think this will be a great addition to the company.
We are having our financial meeting Thursday. I am supposed to have candles for the group with labels and business cards. I have done that. So, I am ready for my presentation. The candles will be samples for them to use and give me feedback. I think I will do great.
Betty's Only will make $1000.00 before the end of 2008. The first 5 customers will receive a free gift. Help Betty's Only get out there to the public. Look for more to come. Little steps move to larger ones. I am up and going and will not stop. I may slow down a bit, but forever moving forward.
Betty's Only started back in Montgomery, AL while I was attending Alabama State University. I had a candle that I adored, but used up. I thought that I could remake the candle with the reminding wax and I was right. I went to a local craft store purchased a how to make candles book and materials and also some small jars. This is where is all began. I would make candles and take them to work with me, they would be all sold, or I would have orders to fill. The name comes in because I am Betty's only child. I have been doing this for more than 10 years, I believe. Slowly getting things in order and the time is now for things to get better.
www.bettysonly.blogspot.com started this summer. I thought that it would be interesting to have a blog about my candles and the road to promote and build. Etsy, I have been a member since December 07, but didn't start using it until April of this year. Having a web presence is interesting and rewarding all at the same time. I was just introduced to Twitter. I see many people interact and promote one another. Usint it I have learned much about this Internet thing.
I want to say thank you to all for reading and supporting me. I know sometimes I can be a bit much. I know I can get it done and learning is a major part of achieving success. I may be back later today. Thanks Twitter for introducing me to some wonderful people from different walks of life.
Here are some photos of some candles I will upload to Etsy. I need to have www.bettysonly.biz updated to represent the specific shapes and designs I offer. I have to brainstorm on how to get some candle lovers to purchase from the site. Follow me, I know I can learn from you and you may be able to learn from me too. :o)
Equilateral Upright
Frosted Jars
Mini Burning Heart
Swirling Tower
Things are Looking Up
I have a business card with http://www.bettysonly.biz/, http://www.bettysonly.blogspot.com/, and http://www.financialsuccessismine.blogspot.com/ on it. I have my logo, it really looks good. Of course there are many things that need to take place for Betty's Only. Brochure is a must, it needs to be slick, professional, quirky, and to the point. I also need to get a business account so that it can stand alone. I feel determined and can see the future of Betty's Only. I am looking forward to the growth of my company. I do have any Etsy account. I don't have anything on it now because I needed to do some updates, but things are looking up.
Today when I get home I am going to do some updates if my computer is working right. I am still in the process of getting someone to design me a business card for the company. I actually gave out some business cards today. Maybe they will leave me a comment. I need all the support I can get.
Check out this video on how to make candles. I know I should make my own, I will when I get to that point. You know I am somewhat embarrassed.
I have been using Twitter. Check me out at www.twitter.com/bettysonly. For those of you that don't know it is a social networking site that only allows you to give short posts. You can make friends and they follow you. I have learned much. The internet is vast and I am willing to learn all it has to offer.
As for Betty's Only, www.knuckleheader.com created my logo for me. I used her when she was on Etsy. I love my header and she created two of them for a reasonable price. Now that Betty's Only is up and running I need a brochure to corlate with my logo. Everything needs to relate and Betty's Only needs a face. So, I went to www.etsy.com/knuckleheader and she was not active, but had the knuckleheader.com link on Etsy so I have sent an email to ask about creating a brochure that coincides with the logo. I have created my own business card. I may ask for her to design that too. There will be no problem getting them printed, I just need them designed. My plate is full during the day and sometimes I can not think straight. I need to focus and organize my daily life. I feel like I may need to take a break and just get my thoughts together. Slow down. I am looking forward to hearing from her. Hopefully she can assist me with this, because the time is now for Betty's Only to get out there.
Moving On Up
Betty's Only is official. Can you believe it? I can't! I knew I wanted to have the website, but things kept getting in the way of Betty's Only getting up and running. I have many things that need to be taking care of, but they will get done. I can't feel bad about the things I am not able to do at the moment, but what I can do, I will do with the utmost authority. Ok, I have lables for Betty's Only and they make the candles look professional. I will print my own business cards because money is tight right now.
I am looking forward to the success of Betty's Only. Check it out, I may have something that you can use.
http://www.bettysonly.biz/ is working. Now, there are some changes that need to be made, but overall the site is operable. I am proud this has been long awaited for really. Thanks to The Freelance Squad for building Betty's Only.
Slowly things are coming together. Somethings that need to be handled: Lables, packaging, and business cards. We will be a success!
