So, for me, Friday's seem to fall into one of two categories.
- I'm extremely motivated to get as much done as humanly possible before the weekend starts.
- Or, I'm so lazy and unmotivated that I pretend it's already the weekend and don't do a thing.
Do you have this problem? There never seems to be a happy medium on Friday. It's always all or none for me. Right now I'm in limbo. My coffee hasn't really kicked in yet and I'm leaning toward the slacking type of Friday. However, I have a to-do list a mile long staring me in the face. Blah. On a bright note, one of my to-do items is to finalize the menu for my daughter's upcoming birthday party. She will be three and we are celebrating princess-style. It should be fun. Time to get motivated ..... Although I struggle at times, time management is an important component of running your business. We all always need more time than we have. So, make what time you do have productive. Focus on one to-do item at a time and before you know it you'll have several crossed off! Enjoy your weekend! Oh and by the way, February's newsletter will be published latter today. If you're not already on the list, sign up! We share some great insider-only info with our subscribers ;)
Have you read the 61 marketing tips for entrepreneurs yet over at TPE? If not, here is me telling you again that you should. As I was reading through them, again, this morning, I noticed a very evident recurring theme. Communication!
In everyday life communication is obviously very important. But, it’s also critical when it comes to marketing yourself and your business. How you present yourself and your company can and should leave a lasting impression on potential business partners and customers. A lasting, good impression that is.
Let’s look at some of the tips given::
- Tip #9 – Talk to everyone! Aileen McDonough of
3am Writers says to talk to everyone, not just at networking events. How true! You might meet your next customer at the post office for instance. Effective communication, in this case just simply talking to them, might land you your next sale! Sarah Shaw of Entreprenette gave tip #19 – Get others to spread the word! If you can get others to talk about your business and your great products you are earning some great, free advertising!#22 – Show up. Colleen Taylor of Siretona Creative said that the old-fashioned face to face communication is still effective and sometimes overlooked! So, why not pay some previous customers a visit? You just might generate you a reorder!Wendy Weiss of Weiss Communications left tip #47 – The neglected marketing tool. Who picks up the phone these days? Most people send an e-mail, an instant message or a tweet. Why not pick up the telephone and have an actual conversation?Over and over, in these tips and many others, the tippers suggest speaking with people. Getting to know your potential customers, building that relationship is so important. There are obviously hundreds of ways to do that. Incorporate some variety! Don’t always use e-mail. Don’t always use the phone. Don’t always visit in person. Use technology, but use it sparingly. COMMUNICATE with your customers on all levels! 
I am a lover of unique things. That's why Funky Finds is one of my favorite places on the web. It's a great place to discover unique items, but it's also a great place to advertise! Currently, Jessica and the folks at Funky Finds, are running a 25% off special on advertising! You can find their typical rates here.
This means there are banner prices as low as $7.50/month {150x50} or $15/month {150x150}. There are many other sizes and options available. And, the more you purchase, the more you save! Discounts will be refunded via PayPal once payment has cleared.
The options at Funky Finds are endless. They have a funky newsletter, offer recipricol links, giveaways, daily finds at their blog and much more! In fact, this is the perfect time to consider selling your products through http://funkyfinds.us/theshops/. Their current promotion offers users SIX FREE MONTHS with the purchase of one month (31 days). This means you can sell your products for seven months for as low as $1.99! There is no fee per sale or per upload. How great is that?!?
Be sure to visit Funky Finds and let them know that Market Mommy sent you :)
Who can't use more marketing tips? The Toliet Paper Entrepreneur has put together a fantastic list of 61 tips on their blog today. You can check it out here. And, of course I'm sending you there for a reason! Market Mommy is lucky enough to be one of the featured contributors! There really is some fantastic advice given by some great entrepreneurs, so be sure to bookmark it!
 Kathleen Cuneo, Ph.D., is a psychologist and parent coach. She also operates Dinner Together, LLC, which focuses on helping families have more frequent, successful family meals and deal with the challenges of picky eaters. Dinner Together was launched in 2008.
Cuneo has been working as a psychologist with children and families for over two decades and last year began offering parent coaching services. She offers her services to parents of young children to help them gain greater self-understanding and to understand and effectively communicate with their children. “My goal is to empower parents to find confidence in their parenting and to develop strong connections with their children,” she said.
A mother herself, Cuneo has three children ages 8-12. As most mom entrepreneurs would say, she said that the amount of energy and time she’s’ devoted to her work over the years has varied according to her family’s development. “I recently came across a Zen quote that really resonated with me: “The center is not always the point of balance.” For me, finding balance is a constantly evolving and shifting enterprise,” she said.
According to Cuneo, structure is important, but so is being flexible and adaptable. “Life goes best for me when I can really be present and attentive to the moment, whether that is with work or with family,” she added.
Cuneo is offering a free teleseminar this week with MomsEmpoweringMoms.org, on Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. EST. “The 3 Keys of Empowered Parenting: How to Raise Self-Confident, Compassionate Children” is the topic. For more information,  click here.
Mommy Monday is a regular feature on Market Mommy:: The Blog. Do you know a mom entrepreneur who should be featured here? E-mail Dawn and put Mommy Monday in the subject line!
Thanks to everyone who participated, attended, donated and promoted the Etsy Blog Party!! It was great to see some new faces! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did! We had some really great moms featured, some very awesome prizes, and some extremely thoughtful comments, so thanks again! Stay tuned for our next party!
Here are the winners from last week. Congratulations ladies!!
An Emma style hat in deep blue with a cream flower from Oodles of Yarn:: KatyShops
If you haven't already, you all will be receiving e-mail notifications with details about your prizes shortly! 
Business Established:: Second Star Designs began in February 2008 as a means to an income after the closure of the company for which I worked. With the success of my first fashion show, Second Star Designs became my passion and the drive to see its fruition into a success.
What she does:: Using a variety of colors and textures, each item is carefully hand-crafted with attention to quality and detail; creating collections that are timeless and without a specific season. How she finds balance:: Wow. I ask that myself at least once a week. I am a mother to 3 children aged 7, 6 and 5 - two of whom are in school. I work a full time job. I attend art school 3/4 time in pursuit of a bachelor's degree. And I own two businesses: one that is primarily dotcom and the other one which is dotcom half the time and participating in fairs/shows/festivals the other half of the time. And I have a significant other who appreciates the time we are able to share with each other.
What I have found is that if you are passionate about your business and are building it in the event that your safety net disappears, everything else has a way of fitting in around it. My days start at 6 a.m. and go until 11 or 12 at night. I get up, go to work, come home, spend a few hours with the kids [homework, playing, reading, etc] before bedtime at 9, spend a couple hours on either homework or building inventory, then bed - only to do it all over the next day. Weekends not spent at shows are used for family time or building inventory. Two nights a week, there is no homework, so I share that evening time with my SO. And, I am blessed with an affordable babysitter for Friday nights - this allows uninterrupted time to get important stuff done.
Her best advice:: Always make sure to reward yourself [or your family] in some small fashion for the sacrifices that are made - even it's something as average as a bubble bath at 10 p.m. with nothing but you and the bubbles. Having a limited income and investing every spare dime into the growth of the business, I often overlook treating myself to such things as new clothes, shoes, etc. After a successful show last week, I treated myself to the clearance rack at a local department store. You cannot imagine what level of happiness a $7 sweater can bring!!!
Also remember that familial support goes both ways. I am fortunate that my SO supports my passion unconditionally. He is there for the triumphs and the defeats. Involving your immediate family allows them to be a part of your dream and helps them to feel as if they matter during those times when the bulk of your concentration is elsewhere.
Get it now:: 20% discount off of entire purchase from our Artfire store. Enter MOM2010 at checkout to receive discount. Good thru 5/09/2010.
What they are giving away:: Candy-Tuft Tutu in winner's choice of 2 colors. Available in two sizes: small [nb-2T], large [3-6]. Amazing for photos, dress up, or pretend play.
Play and win:: What is your favorite product from the site?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
Business Established:: Fall of 2007
What she does:: I make needle felted wool soft sculptures created with Swiss cheese (lots of holes!) fingers. Foxglove Studios is my creative outlet. I am a primarily self-taught artist, crafter and closet geek. My incredibly supportive husband, Jason, helps out behind the scenes.
How she finds balance:: My family won't allow me to neglect them. :) After everyone else is taken care of, out comes the wool and needles.
Her best advice:: Take care of yourself! If you fall apart, who's going to look after everyone else? Hmmm?
Get it now:: 20% off your entire order - just enter "marketmommy" during checkout (note to seller) on Etsy or as the coupon code on Artfire. Offer is good through March 31, 2010.
What they are giving away:: A single piece of fruit, winners choice. Valued at $22.
Play and win:: Name one product, besides fruit, found at Foxglove Studios.
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
Who:: Leilani @ Heavenly Flower Business Established:: Heavenly Flower, the jewelry company was founded in 2002. I opened the Etsy shop to test the waters of online selling full time in 2008; but didn't really actively promote it until January of 2009.
What she does:: My "thing" is custom jewelry. Most of the pieces I list on Etsy are often made up of left over materials (beads, mostly gemstone beads) from custom projects. These pieces are priced significantly lower than what I would normally charge for custom work.
How she finds balance:: By bein g flexible and realizing that some days I just am not going to get done everything I want to accomplish. With two small children who are age two and under, it is impossible to follow a set schedule. I prefer to follow a daily "rhythm" and tackle work and chores as we as a family are inspired to do them. I have found setting weekly or even monthly goals make the most sense for me right now.
Her best advice:: Regardless of how busy you become, don't forget to take care of yourself. Even if there are orders to fill or new products to develop, I almost always have a nap in the afternoon with my children. Not being sleep deprived It makes me think clearer and be less cranky with my children! I am more efficient and organized to get things done, and also have much more energy to keep up with my work, household and children. I find if I allow myself to be tired my creativity and mood suffers. I think we all need to be creative in order to juggle the many hats we have as mothers and business owners. Not to mention proper rest and low stress means less illness. Once we become sick everything grinds to a halt!
Get it now:: 20% off all orders simply type "MARKETMOMMY" in the "note to seller" at Etsy checkout.
What they are giving away:: $30 gift certificate for my Etsy shop; and 3 $10 gift certificates for my Etsy Shop. Play and win:: Which Heavenly Flower bracelet is your favorite? Why?
To register for THESE prizes, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
Who:: Kathy Kilgallon @ Dusty Stepper Business Established:: Although I joined Etsy back in September 2009 , I just started listing pocket mirrors and such in January of this year.
What she does:: I offer 2 1/4" pocket mirrors made with fabric coverings or fun craft paper coverings. I also have 1" pins and just recently added bookmarks! My PageSavers are origami corner bookmarks decorated with 1" buttons! All of the above make great inexpensive gifts or any occasion! I can also do bulk orders for party favors!
How she finds balance:: I work full time and have 2 children but still am able to fit in some craft time! My children are older now, so at night while they finish homework I create one or two items to post. I check orders in the morning while making breakfast and stop at the post office on the wa y into my "day" job.
Her best advice:: Do what you love! I really enjoy shopping for craft paper and stickers! It is fun for me to pick out a cute pattern and see it come together as a pocket mirror, pin or bookmark!
Get it now:: My pocket mirrors are on sale right now for $3.00 each! These are great for Easter or Mother's Day gifts!
What they are giving away:: 3 pocket mirrors! Three readers will be chosen by you at random for this giveaway and can pick whichever pocket mirror they would like to receive from my shop!
Play and win:: Which pocket mirror from the Dusty Stepper shops collection is your favorite?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
 Who:: June @ I Sew Cute and she has a blog!
Business Established:: April 2008
What she does:: I make kawaii (cute) resin jewelry and unique hand embroidery patterns! The things I create are very personal...I make what I like...and hope you love it too!
How she finds balance:: I do resin crafting when the kiddos are sleeping because kids and resin don’t mix…and embroider or draw whenever possible.
Her best advice:: Do what you love…because if you’re ever stuck with your own inventory …it’s a joy and not disappointing to keep the things that don’t sell! I love my jewelry and wear it all the time!
Get it now:: I’ll take 10% off your order until the end of Feb  2010… just mention you’re a reader in ‘notes to seller’ at checkout…and will refund you the difference through paypal.
What they are giving away:: Custom necklace, see it here. Play and win:: Is there anything specific you would like to see in isewcute’s shop that she isn’t making right now? No, then what item is your favorite?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit::You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
 Who:: Oodles of YarnBusiness Established:: Oodles of Yarn just launched in February 2010! What she does:: We are two ladies that enjoy crocheting and knitting. We specialize in a variety of products including baby blankets and afghans, scarves, hats, and toys. We customize colors and sizes so you get exactly what you want. How she finds balance:: Both of us are very business with  multiple children, working at home, sports activities, church activities, so this is our hobby that we enjoy at the end of the day when we're relaxing with our husbands.Her best advice:: Make sure you have a great logo!
Get it now:: Order anything in their shop by March 20 and you'll receive a free Eggy Bunny just in time for Easter! What they are giving away:: An Emma-style hat in deep blue with a cream flower. Play and win:: What type of products would you like Oodles of Yarn to create?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
 Who:: Tyrika Williams @ MainElement:Love
Business Established:: November 2008
What she does:: mainelement: love is a spa boutique specializing in creating spa treats for the ultimate spa at home experience. We use elements that are nourishing to the body, mind, and spirit, allowing you the relaxation and rejuvenation that every busy woman deserves. Our line of skin and hair products are designed with pampering you in mind. We incorporate high quality natural products without the use of harsh chemicals and preservatives. Spa treats are made and packaged by hand ensuring that the element of Love goes into each and every product. How she finds balance:: It’s a challenge definitely. I have this business because I want to be able to be there for my family, but there are times I have to remind myself of that when I am throwing myself head first into a project instead of sitting down for a little reading time with my son. Her best advice:: Be conscious, be aware, set certain hours for work and certain hours for family…and then stick to them. Make sure your family knows when their time is and they will certainly remind you when their time comes around.
Get it now:: Market Mommy readers can get a free gift with your purchase if you include “it’s a party” in the note to seller at checkout! What they are giving away:: Two bath bombs in Seductive Play and win:: What is your favorite mainelement:love scent?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit::You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
Business Established:: She’s been making invitations since 2003, but her Etsy shops were opened last year. What she does:: Kellie designs invitations that customers can print themselves, on their own time. And, she loves making little dollys. How she finds balance:: Family first, if the family is healthy and happy, then life can find balance. Her best advice:: Go for it, you can do more than you realize.
Get it now:: Market Mommy readers get 10% off any printed sets. What they are giving away:: Custom printable set, winners choice. Play and win:: What new invitation would you like to see on ThePaperista?
To register for THIS prize, comment on THIS post with the answer to the play and win question above.
Extra Credit:: You can earn an extra entry each day by doing any of the following and then leaving a comment {with link} about it. Follow us on twitter, tweet about the blog party, blog about the party, follow this blog, grab our blog’s button, or sign up for the Market Mommy newsletter {there's a sign-up box to the right}. All comments on this post close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 19.
 Welcome to the Etsy Blog Party at Market Mommy:: The Blog! We are so happy that you have stopped by! I hope you visit each day because every day this week we will be featuring more great moms and their Etsy shops! Each day there will be prizes to win and moms to meet!
In order to simplify my life, and yours, we’ve changed the blog party rules just a bit. Do not comment on this post to register and qualify for prizes. Rather, comment on each individual party post to register for the prize being given away by that particular mom. Prizes will be drawn from the comments left on those posts only. There will still be ample opportunity for extra credit each day!
Tell us a little bit about yourself when you comment! Feel free to leave your name and a link to your blog or business, if applicable. Remember, anyone and everyone is eligible to enter for prizes! A comment is all it takes. You can register for each prize and complete extra credit for each as well. It’s easy!
Glad to have you along! Stay tuned for some great stuff. The Party will officially end on Friday, Feb. 19 at 11:59 p.m. EST and ALL comments will close at that time! Winners will be announced and posted on the blog on Monday, Feb. 22.
OFFICIAL PRIZE LIST::
Custom printable set from The Paperista
Two bath bombs in Seductive from Main Element:Love
An Emma style hat in deep blue with a cream flower from Oodles of Yarn
Custom necklace from I Sew Cute
$30 gift certificate from Heavenly Flower
3 $10 gift certificates from Heavenly Flower
Candy Tuft Tutu in winner’s choice of 2 colors from Second Star Designs
A piece of fruit, winners choice, from Foxglove Studio
3 pocket mirrors from Dusty Stepper
BONUS PRIZE:: Everyone that registers for a prize this week will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to Market Mommy!
 Here at Market Mommy we are anxiously gearing up for our Etsy blog party next week! I hope you all will be able to join us because it is going to be a fantastic week! There will be several moms featured Monday-Friday who sell handmade products in shops on Etsy.com.
Not only are these moms extremely creative, they are also hardworking, dedicated business owners. We will be telling their stories and giving away their fantastic prizes. So, hopefully you will learn a little something from them and win some free stuff at the same time! Everyone is invited to attend this free party, so spread the word! Check back Monday for all the details, a list of prizes and your chance to win! I can't wait!!
Have a romantic Valentine's Day!
Happy Tuesday from snowy Ohio!
Today's tip relates to exclusive deals. They are a great way to build customer loyalty! You can offer them several different ways. Here are a few of my favorites::
- Newsletter:: If you are already connecting with your customer base on a regular basis, offer them a coupon code or special promotion. They will be more likely to open your e-mails and more likely to tell their friends that they need to be on your mailing list.
- Tweet:: There are several benefits to tweeting on Twitter. Networking with potential business partners is important, but so is building a customer base. Tweeting exclusive coupons and deals to your followers is a sure way to get more followers and more customers!
- Facebook Fans:: They are your fans because they like your business, your products, and your services. Give them an exclusive deal and they'll be an even more loyal fan.
- Existing customers:: Establish a referral program and offering exclusive deals to existing customers who refer their friends. By doing this you gain new and repeat customers at the same time.
The key is to make your customers, fans, followers feel special. Giving them exclusive deals and promotions does that. Having loyal customers is invaluable. Not only do they continue to purchase from you, but they also spread the word about your great products and services! And, of course I am going to offer my loyal blog readers an exclusive offer today. :o) Use SAVE20 at checkout to save 20% on any service, listing, or advertisement from Market Mommy! {Expires Feb. 15} 
 Ros Guerrero is the owner and inventor of Ficklets. What are Ficklets? They are fashionable interchangeable charm huggers for eye glasses. They are designed to adorn eyeglasses with a fun, fresh twist to help make kids, especially girls, more comfortable wearing glasses.
The concept of Ficklets was conceived in early 2006. Later that year Guerrero developed a working prototype and then launched the website and filed for a patent in April of 2007. Guerrero said she’s been actively working on the business for two years after taking hiatus for a large part of 2008 to care for her sister who was ill with terminal cancer. Recently, in September 2009, the patent was granted.
 According to Guerrero, she makes a conscious effort to turn the business off for family time. “With a mentally handicapped child, it’s important that I don’t let the business overrun my time and energy, as she requires assistance for daily living needs,” she said. “To help create some semblance of balance, my husband and I work as a team in both home and business. We both share the responsibilities and pick up where the other leaves off. For me, its’ about effectively juggling responsibilities the best way I can with my family’s needs the top priority.”
Most Ficklets designs appeal to kids; however, they have recently expanded their collection to include more sophisticated styles, answering the pleas of moms wanting to add some distinct flair to their glasses. Market Mommy readers can save 20 percent on your entire purchase by using code MM at checkout!
When Guerrero speaks to other aspiring mom entrepreneurs, she tells them to dream and then take action! “Never stop growing and evolving as an individual, be a student of life with an open mind and can-do attitude, be a perpetual inspirational seeker, and always, always, be grateful for the blessings in your life,” she said.
 Mommy Monday is a regular feature on Market Mommy:: The Blog. Do you know a mom entrepreneur who should be featured here? E-mail Dawn and put Mommy Monday in the subject line!
You've heard me talk about networking a lot! I truly believe it is the best {and cheapest} marketing tool out there. Personal and local networking is definitely important, but so is online and virtual networking. It's 2010 and it's become easy and quick to connect with someone across the country or even the globe.
Wikipedia has quickly become one of my favorite online resources. And, they are not lacking when it comes to social media and online networking. Check out this comprehensive list of social networking sites! Now, of course all of these sites aren't going to be relevant to your business or your life. And, it would be exhausting and impossible to try to engage in each one. However, I highly recommend reviewing the list and seeing what some may have to offer. This list is also great because it gives the genre of the site as well as the number of registered users.
Here is a brief list of the more popular sites:: Happy networking! 
A few weeks ago I took a brief hiatus and visited Cozumel, Mexico. What a fabulous coastline the island has!
Early morning .....
Rocky ...
Afternoon... Blue water! Next Wednesday visit again for some photos of Cozumel signage :o)
 Today’s Mommy Monday segment features Monique from Lil’ Sugarplum. Monique operales her online business while being a stay at home mom. The site features handmade baby, toddler and girls hair clips and has been open since May 2006.
According to Monique, she finds balance by only operating her business part time. “I only let it grow so much because I don’t want it interfering with my family life,” she said. When her children are asleep or in school is when she carves out time to work.
Monique really enjoys what she does, and she said that is important. “If you’re looking to start your own business, make sure you find something that you are passionate about. If you find something that you are mildly interested in, you won’t want to stick with it. When you’re passionate, it doesn’t feel like work,” she added.
First time customers can get a free $8 hair clip of their choice when they spend $25. Just leave a note at checkout, do not add to the cart. This offer expires on March 15.
Mommy Monday is a regular feature on Market Mommy:: The Blog. Do you know a mom entrepreneur who should be featured here? E-mail Dawn and put Mommy Monday in the subject line!
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