Bliss

Joseph Campbell said "Follow Your Bliss".

If you know what your Bliss IS, that's not so outlandish a suggestion.
But if you have no idea how that applies to you, it may seem like 'pie in the sky' advice. Especially from a business perspective.

Thing is, there are a great many people in search of and following their Bliss in life. The smart ones have figured out how to turn doing what they love into a business.

I met quite a few women in that category at one of my former favorite places, a web site that offered some great info for fledgling entrepreneurs of Bliss Businesses - and those who are still learning about this concept. Hosting a private membership-only online community for women pursuing their Bliss as a business was where it all started. From artisans to writers to shop owners to designers, members discuss and share in order to succeed. Originally, this community was the Victoria magazine Business of Bliss online forum. When the magazine stopped pulication, the community moved to a new location. Many of the original members were involved, and new ones joined in. Through the years, the community was a haven for women who owned or were researching their own businesses born from their passion. It was about connections, relationships, support for and from women who are as passionate about meaning and value in their lives as they are about their chosen work - their Bliss. I spent eight years as a member of the community, serving for a time as a moderator and as a director, and I am proud of the work I did and the assistance I was able to give to women there.

Recently, I parted ways with that community, moving on to a new phase in my life, business, and development of new ideas from women in business. It wasn't an easy thing, but life is change, and it was all for the best. I wish those who are still members much success and fulfilment in their lives and businesses. I am still in touch with many of them thru emails, and also with other women who chose to leave the community as well. These are friendships and associations that owe so much to the concept of Bliss, and thrive now due to our shared concept of growth.

Peek-A-Boo!

I took that photo a year ago, in downtown San Francisco. I don't even remember the name of the store (might have been Old Navy), but this was just too fun to pass up. I had to peek around the back of the banner, of course, to see what they were putting into the window, and found the silly scene that they had set up:

It looked like a bizarre nude mannequin cocktail party, everyone milling around!

I'm always preaching at people to change their main shop displays every two weeks. Yes, I actually SAY that in my seminars! And it is ALWAYS met with looks of utter shock, horror, and disbelief from 90% of the attendees, never fails. I know you are all busy, I know there is so much involved in running your own business..but really, displaying products is JUST as important as ordering them. While a bi-weekly re-set is best, a monthly change is absolutely necessary.Going longer than that is just retail suicide.You need to look fresh, new, vibrant, and appeal to the curiosity of your customers. They just don't respond to the 'same old, same old' approach, and if they don't see anything new, they'll pass you by to head for a shop that looks interesting.

There are many ways to make this easy on yourself - try a few of these tips:
1. To create intrigue, cover your windows with paper - white butcher paper, brown kraft paper, colored paper, even newspaper...coordinate it with your store image. Block the goings-on from view for the day or two it may take you to re-set the window. It will drive people crazy - they won't be able to wait to see what's new! Make a big sign that says something like "Coming Soon...NEW STUFF!".

2. Create a setting in your window - a front porch, a dining room, a backyard picnic scene.
Think about three ways you can change it to fit the current season - set up a picnic table, for example, in June, and keep 'tweaking' it to show off new incoming product each month. June is a garden theme, July is patriotic bbq, and August is a lovely Tuscan sunflower dinner party outdoors. This way, you are changing the products and a few of the props - but the basic fixtures (table, chairs, a picket fence, maybe a bbq and a fake tree) stay the same. That saves you time when you re-set it each month. Heading into fall now, I suggest you try a porch scene - use an old door, some shutters beside it, a rustic bench and chair, and even a picket fence beside it. In September, highlight your back-to-school stuff (backpacks, stationery, etc. ) in harvest baskets - make it feel a bit like a farmer's market. In October, it's a no-brainer - either go with Halloween goodies or the full harvest festival, with pumpkins, gourds, and whatever product fits.In November, break out the Thanksgiving theme and express the concepts of gratitude and bounty. Many people have great success adding a patriotic theme into this, believe it or not - Thanksgiving IS, after all, an American original holiday. For the Winter season, set up a dining room scene or living room mantel.

3. Ask your employees if they would like to take part in creating store displays.
You may be amazed to find that there is latent talent within your staff - an art student who works for you part-time, someone who is a hobbist photographer or dressmaker. Creativity is something we ALL have - give people an opportunity to show it off! Make sure they realize that you have final veto rights, however - talk with them about your current advertising and marketing to spur theme ideas, show them the product you want to highlight, and tell them when you want them to do it. Ask them to show you a sketch of what their idea is before they begin, so you can approve it. It respresents YOU and your business, remember. It needs to do so professionally!

Think of window displays as a chance for you to make a BIG statement about who you are, what you offer your customers, and how you can make their lives easier, more meaningful, more fun, and special. It's not a chore - it's an opportunity for creative selling!!!

Our Top Story....

I wanted to share some fun things that Karen and I did at the gift show last week.
Each show, we create a display of exhibitor products, kind of a showcase thing (See one of the posts below). This time, we got wacky and used plain old newspaper to form a theme...

We covered some of the pedestals and bases, then cut out banner headlines and such, and then got really wacky by making hats, scarves, and even tshirts out of paper to fill in the display. Most of it remained after the products arrived, and it garnered a lot of attention by creating a 'current events' theme for the new & featured products in the display.

It's easy to make a display stand out without spending a wad of cash...just be inventive!
'Fast, Cheap, & Easy' (TM) all the way!
(And that is SO me!)

Setting the Stage...

The 2006 AWW Winemaker Dinner at Columbia Winery was a raging success!
One of the many events held for the Auction of Washington Wines, raising funds for Children's Hospital ($1.9 million total this year!), this second annual fete was met with gasps of surprise that a working wine cellar could be transformed beyond recognition! Starting with the theme of 'Cabaret', I turned the cellar into a theatre...

A red carpet led guests thru a red-curtained entrance to a 'Lobby' area, graced with a custom theatre-style poster, painted by yours truly. While not an exact replica of our chanteuse for the evening, the caricature captured her long brown hair, red dress, and saucy attitude. (Janet, you were divine!) If you look closely, you'll see that the shape of her head & neck is that of a wineglass, and the shape of her legs is that of a bordeaux-shape wine bottle! Columbia Exec Holly Leuning won the poster in a bidding war...

Another red-curtained portal opened onto the 'Lounge', with a gleaming black baby grand piano centered in the intimate space. Our chanteuse crooned tunes from the 30's & 40's, and the wine was poured proliferously! Glowing candles were visible behind a sheer black fabric wall across the back of the Lounge - the only hint of the next 'act' in the dramatic evening. The mingling crowd of fifty was seen peeking thru folds of fabric!


An announcement that the dinner hour had arrived by Columbia winemaker Erik Hoins coincided with a sweeping open of the black curtain wall, and the table was revealed in all of it's sparkling glory. Silver champagne stands held glass vases with red wine and pillar candles, silver champagne buckets and smaller silver bowls held red roses. Votives sparkled the length of the table, and were reflected in tall mirrors behind the tables as well. Shimmering crystals danced, wine glasses reflected the gleam, and the main event began as the guests became the entertainment in our 'Theatre'. The pianist continued to play throughout dinner.

The meal, prepared by chef Michael Hillyer of Daniels' Broiler (Bellevue) was perfection, as usual, and the wines by Columbia, Covey Run, Pepperbridge, and Buty ('beauty') Wineries were perfectly paired with each delectable dish. All of the winemakers were in attendance. The night was a smooth, perfect unfolding of events as planned...except for one snafu. Just as the dessert was being served, the fire alarms sounded, necessitating a complete evacuation of the facility. (Including the wedding party of 150 upstairs....) Many guests departed the cellar with wine glasses in hand!!! Half an hour later, the fire department ruled the call an alarm malfunction (most likely set off by the flash of a photographers' camera up at the wedding event) and allowed everyone to return to the cellar. Dessert was served, more wine was poured, and guests enjoyed a few more hours of laughter and conversation, with a few even playing the piano after the official entertainment ended! (Thank you, Neil and Amy!)

All in all, it turned out as wonderfully as I expected it would...with a few last-minute revisions along the way, as usual!
A few of the photos I have used here are from Team Photogenic, the official photographers for the AWW events. Check them out here for more!

On Display

Seattle Gift Show North Hall Exhibitor Display
(ummm...NOT located in the North Hall, but the South Hall - and YES, that is confusing!)

On Thursday, I'll be at the convention center, working with my design assistant Karen to set up a display filled with products from exhibitors who are located in the North Hall. If you've never been to the Seattle Gift Show, the North Hall is located across a fab glass 'skybridge'...and is oft referred to as 'Never Never Land'. This display is meant to heighten awareness of what is offered way over there...basically, we attract attention at the entrance to the main show floor. Buyers see these products, and then make the effort to go to the booths to talk to the exhibitors. It's a great way for exhibitors in the North Hall to increase their visibility - and it's FREE!

It is fascinating to see the wide variety of products that exhibitors bring to me...we get everything from huge cabinets & swings to tiny earrings and rings. Every gift show I have been to has some sort of display area like this, so I thought I would offer a few tips to those of you who might participate in them...

When you choose an item, or items, to have placed in the display, remember a few important points:

*You have to sign up to participate in these displays ahead of time - so PLAN ahead! Choose items before you pack up for the show, so that you can take two of each item you want to use - one for your booth display, and one for this other display area. Check the rules on size, dropoff location, and deadlines. (Please don't arrive at the end of the last setup day with a huge item. It ain't gonna' happen!!!!)

*Bright colors are more visible and will attract attention. If you choose multiple items, color-coordinate them so that when they are displayed together, they will look their best and present your business professionally.

*The size of your product should be as big as you possibly can get it - tiny jewelry just disappears in a huge space.
(There are usually size restrictions - our guideline is 18" square. Don't ask about the furniture.....)

*Bring props for items like jewelry - a neck form or even a large rock to drape the necklace over will give it prominence. A ceramic hand that can hold necklaces and wear bracelets is excellent. Make it match your style...

*Focus on items that express what you are known for, what your style is, and use what you are featuring in your print ads & brochures at the time of the show.

*The biggest tip: Don't repeat yourself! If you always take part in these displays, then provide fresh, new product every time. There is nothing sadder than hearing comments like "OH, it's that same old wood carving again...seen that for five years in a row." Show your new products every time!

In our display area at the SGS, business cards & brochures are not allowed. This keeps our displays clean, crisp, and all about the product. Every product is accompanied by a tent card, printed with the exhibitor name, show division, and booth number. We get them to your booth, then you sell your products!

Best of luck to all exhibitors... and if you are setting up at the SGS on Thursday,
come by the 4th floor lobby and say hello! And check out my other blog for photos of what we did with the display this year...

This Week, By the Numbers...

Just a peek at the busiest week of my summer:
1. Saturday:Finish shopping, review lists, file receipts, create custom artwork poster, organize decor elements & stage to load Friday AM for Friday's Auction of Washington Wines Winemaker Dinner at Columbia Winery.
2. Sunday:Gather & prep all props needed for re-set of main retail shop displays at Columbia Winery on Monday; load Sunday PM.
3. Monday: All day - Reset main retail shop displays & install new fall merchandise at Columbia Winery.
4. Tuesday:Prep Seattle Gift Show North Hall Exhibitor Display props & supplies for Thursday install.
5. Wednesday:Review Seattle Gift Show seminar notes/outline. Gather & prep all props needed for on-stage setup for seminar. Load these plus Exhibitor display props PM tonight.
6. Thursday:AM -Seattle to SGS; unload seminar props into storage room; unload Exhibitor display props to Lobby. All-day setup of Exhibitor Display area. PM - DD & I stay at Paramount Hotel.
7. Friday:AM - DD & I travel home, load AWW decor, back to winery. All-day setup of dinner event decor. Assistant is at SGS finishing exhibitor display. Friday: PM - @ midnight (after event ends), pack up event decor & store at winery until Sunday. Take DD home and head to Paramount Hotel.
8. Saturday: AM - set up stage display for seminar and walk show to find props, etc. to use & promote. PM - seminar 2:30 to 4:0 pm, plus half an hour to answer questions after. Return any props to exhibitors, pack up my props and load. Sleep at Paramount Hotel.
9. Sunday: Drive home, unload seminar props; drive back to winery & load all event decor. Take home, unload.
10. Monday: AM - Shopping at Seattle Gift Center for new holiday decor for winery. PM - Meeting with event staff at Vinado in Seattle to plan facility remodel.

And after all THAT, Tuesday, August 22nd is our 26th wedding anniversary!
Hubby and I are staying at the luxurious Willows Lodge in Woodinville, having a marvelous dinner by Chef Bobby Moore at The Barking Frog Restaurant there, and a bottle of bubbly by the fireside in our room....
After which, I shall promptly fall asleep.....and even my Prince Charming may have trouble waking me! ;o)

Baby Baby Grand

Not just another piano...
It's only a foot and a half tall!

I just returned from San Francisco, and while I saw many wonderful products and people there, I have to say that the STAR of the show was this line of children's pianos from Schoenhut.
(And I LOVE the music on their website intro - it's the Charlie Brown theme!)

So, obviously, these are intended for use by children as both a toy and as a learning tool. The staff working the booth was plonking away on them, playing actual Chopin and Mendelssohn sonatas on the diminutive keyboards!

I used one (pink!) in my display onstage because I see endless possibilities in this product for merchandising. Sell bridal & formal gowns, jewelry, top hats, tuxedos? How about sheet music, or even classical or jazz music CD's? Black & white photographs of movie stars? Or maybe Ray-Ban sunglasses? Picture this as the stunning eyecatching centerpiece of a display of any of those. (I wouldn't recommend putting it in a window, tho - the sun will damage the finish). It's a no-brainer for childrens' clothing - all those dressy dressses and little suits would just be a darling accompaniment to the piano. (And yes, pun intended!!)

Here's a little story that had me nearly rolling in the show aisle with laughter...
The sales reps told me that one of the hottest new niches for this product is pet stores and boutiques that sell pet products.
????? WHY, you ask?????
People are buying them so they can give Fifi and Fido piano lessons.
Yes, I said piano lessons for dogs. Amazing.

Hey, Snoopy played Schroeder's baby grand......
(cue Charlie Brown theme music)

A Summer Break....

Looked at the calendar this morning and saw 'August 1'.
I nearly ran screaming from my office.
How did the summer fly by so FAST?

So, in the midst of my busy-ness (and I have a sneaking suspicion THAT is exactly how summer has flown by - I am too busy to notice), I decided to take a time out and do something completely and totally unrelated to anything I am currently working on. Call it recess, call it playtime, call it 'save my sanity' - I just needed a break!

Put on some Norah Jones & Madeline Peyroux music, poured a glass of iced jasmine tea, and created this new centerpiece on my dining room table. Well, truthfully, it's not all completely new - the white platter and clear vases filled with seashells have been there since June. I added the silky coral fabric because the coral roses outside my cottage door were in a riot of bloom, and it all just coordinated so well. It's hard to see in the photo, but the fabric exactly matches the color inside the conch shell. And those roses just POP! The bush they grow on isn't even a bush at all...it's one spindly little stem, sticking up out of the ivy right next to my front steps. It is pathetic looking all year, but for the few weeks when its blossoms are abundant and more gorgeous than any of the others in my yard! They deserve the royal treatment, don't you think?

Wouldn't this be a fabulous way to display jewelry in your store? Or stationery with seashell illustrations? Candles, maybe? Tuck them into the arrangement, then stack boxes up next to it.

I'll enjoy this for the next few days, and then hubby can completely ignore it while I am at the gift show. (Oh, don't laugh - he will! He's so used to me changing things around here all the time that he doesn't even notice them anymore!) Poor guy never knows what to expect next.

Remember to find a way to enjoy the summer season TODAY!