Dear Friends and Inventors,
The time has come for me to move on from writing my Product X Blog and invest my time and energy into SassaB. After all, SassaB IS Product X!!
I have enjoyed connecting with all of you over the last three + years and hope you will stay in touch with me via info@SassaB.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SassaBLLC.
Very Truly Yours,
Tracy
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
I can not view my blog and Blogger is not helping me!!
Can you see this? Because I can't. Once I publish this blog post, I am unable to log on to my .com. The SAME one I have been using for THREE years. And you know what?! I am REALLY....really irritated!!
SO, while I am trying to run a business and household, let ME figure out WHY my blog is MIA!!!
If you have any suggestions, help or something funny to tell me to distract me from this REALLY annoying problem, email me at info@SassaB.com.
If I lose THREE years of writing, I am going to strangle someone!
Time to breathe...
SO, while I am trying to run a business and household, let ME figure out WHY my blog is MIA!!!
If you have any suggestions, help or something funny to tell me to distract me from this REALLY annoying problem, email me at info@SassaB.com.
If I lose THREE years of writing, I am going to strangle someone!
Time to breathe...
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Americas Mart - here we come!!
Peanut butter and jelly.
Milk and cookies.
SassaB and The Coffs.
We have partnered up with The Coffs - a family-owned business that has showrooms in Americas Mart in Atlanta and the Dallas Market. The Coffs represent several different lines of children's apparel and accessories and now they will be representing SassaB!
This is a beautiful thing...The Coffs will be able to introduce SassaB to tons of retailers all over the country!
One of the many questions you ask yourself as an Inventor is, "How am I going to get the word out about my product?" I promise you, it's not an easy task. And it doesn't happen overnight.
That is why partnering up with a Rep is a great idea. Especially well known Reps with great reputations and connections. They can take you from 0 to 60 in a matter of weeks!
If you are a buyer and are going to be at the Mart, stop by and say "Hello!" We'd love to meet you!
Milk and cookies.
SassaB and The Coffs.
We have partnered up with The Coffs - a family-owned business that has showrooms in Americas Mart in Atlanta and the Dallas Market. The Coffs represent several different lines of children's apparel and accessories and now they will be representing SassaB!
This is a beautiful thing...The Coffs will be able to introduce SassaB to tons of retailers all over the country!
One of the many questions you ask yourself as an Inventor is, "How am I going to get the word out about my product?" I promise you, it's not an easy task. And it doesn't happen overnight.
That is why partnering up with a Rep is a great idea. Especially well known Reps with great reputations and connections. They can take you from 0 to 60 in a matter of weeks!
If you are a buyer and are going to be at the Mart, stop by and say "Hello!" We'd love to meet you!
Monday, January 2, 2012
h² fashion: SassaB Linkable Charms
h² fashion: SassaB Linkable Charms: Looking for a fun new accessory? Check out these brand new SassaB Linkable Charms ! From peace signs, to panda bears and rainbows, you can...
Friday, December 23, 2011
Three men and SassaB
I never go anywhere without tons of SassaB in my car. I figure if I have SassaB plastered on the back window, I should at least have some to sell on the spur of the moment.
*If you haven't see the back of my car, go to our FB page and check it out: www.facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Last night I met my Cousin at a restaurant where I ran into three men that had not finished their Christmas shopping. And wouldn't you know, they all had daughters?! They saw SassaB on the back of my car, asked me about it and ended up buying all 30 packs that I had in my car. Just like that!
It is pretty cool to think of all of the kids that will be receiving SassaB, MY invention, for Christmas! I feel so blessed!!
BUT...it's not all about me...I saw this on The Today Show this morning: If you don't have much time but want to spread some holiday cheer, go to K-Mart (or a store like it) and anonymously pay off someone's layaway. Or pay what you can towards it. When that person show's up to pay off their bill so they can take their Christmas presents home, they will be surprised to see that someone special had already paid it for them. Imagine their delight!!
There are so many ways we can think beyond ourselves and I have to say, doing so is a welcome break!
*If you haven't see the back of my car, go to our FB page and check it out: www.facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Last night I met my Cousin at a restaurant where I ran into three men that had not finished their Christmas shopping. And wouldn't you know, they all had daughters?! They saw SassaB on the back of my car, asked me about it and ended up buying all 30 packs that I had in my car. Just like that!
It is pretty cool to think of all of the kids that will be receiving SassaB, MY invention, for Christmas! I feel so blessed!!
BUT...it's not all about me...I saw this on The Today Show this morning: If you don't have much time but want to spread some holiday cheer, go to K-Mart (or a store like it) and anonymously pay off someone's layaway. Or pay what you can towards it. When that person show's up to pay off their bill so they can take their Christmas presents home, they will be surprised to see that someone special had already paid it for them. Imagine their delight!!
There are so many ways we can think beyond ourselves and I have to say, doing so is a welcome break!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Ticket to Ride
What a rush! How frustrating! So exciting! How disappointing!
Selling your own invention is quite the mix of emotions. You never know what the day will bring...but that's the fun of it...and I'm hooked!
Example: Walking into Walgreens and leaving with contact info to start selling in January 2012 - What a rush!
Sending out emails and waiting and waiting to hear back on some big deals - How frustrating!
Setting out our SassaB Spinner and within 5 minutes, selling all 30 packs - So exciting!
Being turned down by a big online store that I know would successfully sell SassaB - How disappointing!
When I go on a sales call, I hope I'll walk out with a check but you never know. I've been fortunate enough with SassaB that 70% of the time, it's a "yes!" However, when they "pass," it's a let down.
See what I'm saying? The highs and lows are a daily occurrence...if you don't mentally prepare for this mix of emotions, it can totally exhaust you!
The bottom line: The roller-coaster ride of being an entrepreneur is a fun one! I'm thrilled to have a ticket!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Walgreens rocks!
It's not often that I post two entries but it's been a red letter day for SassaB!
First, SassaB got a stellar review on Well Adjusted, Or So They Say (see the post below). Looks like SassaB Style is taking hold and making it's way to the East Coast.
Secondly, we have some very big news at SassaB Headquarters...SassaB is kicking off 2012 with a bang! Walgreens has just picked us up and starting January 2012, SassaB Linkable Charms will be for sale in several Walgreens in Pinellas County.
As you can imagine, we are all on cloud 9!
Shortly I will post more info but for now, we wanted to share our good news with all of you!
Thanks for reading and (in my very best saleswoman voice) don't forget to tell your friends! :)
First, SassaB got a stellar review on Well Adjusted, Or So They Say (see the post below). Looks like SassaB Style is taking hold and making it's way to the East Coast.
Secondly, we have some very big news at SassaB Headquarters...SassaB is kicking off 2012 with a bang! Walgreens has just picked us up and starting January 2012, SassaB Linkable Charms will be for sale in several Walgreens in Pinellas County.
As you can imagine, we are all on cloud 9!
Shortly I will post more info but for now, we wanted to share our good news with all of you!
Thanks for reading and (in my very best saleswoman voice) don't forget to tell your friends! :)
Well Adjusted, Or So They Say...: SassaB ~ Fun Fab Stocking Swag!
Well Adjusted, Or So They Say...: SassaB ~ Fun Fab Stocking Swag!: Christmas is around the corner and I'm always trying to find fun stocking stuffers at the last moment. It's a double bonus when I can suppo...
Sunday, December 4, 2011
First SassaB Facebook Contest/Giveaway!!
We are doing wonderfully with sales locally but we want our friends all over the country to know about SassaB Linkable Charms! Let's spread the word on Facebook!
Tell your FB friends about SassaB, like our page (if you haven't already), share our link (or all 3) for a chance to win some SassaB Style!!
One lucky winner will be chosen at Sunset tonight - December 4th, 2011.
Good luck and see you on Facebook!!
facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Tell your FB friends about SassaB, like our page (if you haven't already), share our link (or all 3) for a chance to win some SassaB Style!!
One lucky winner will be chosen at Sunset tonight - December 4th, 2011.
Good luck and see you on Facebook!!
facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Top Ten Things to expect once you have launched your business
Top Ten Things to expect once you have launched your business:
1. The first day that your product is officially for sale, you will feel like you are on cloud 9! Everyone will be congratulating you, you will be smiling from ear to ear and you will want to celebrate the fact that all of your hard work has paid off!
2. The next day will be like the day after Christmas. You will be totally bummed that your "official" launch date has passed.
3. Full speed ahead! You will be a selling machine!
4. Shockingly, you will hear your first "no." And believe me, it's a shock! After all, this is YOUR perfect invention and you were SURE everyone would absolutely LOVE it and HAVE to have it! But nope...not everything is for everyone.
5. After hearing that "no," this is where you will find out what you are made of. Will you go home and pout or will you shake it off and try, try again?
6. If you can not find someone to talk to about your product/business, you rather not talk at all. The only thing interesting to you in the first couple of weeks is your product, how it's selling, how BIG you are going to be, how you are marketing your product, etc. It's all about your Product X.
7. You get sick of yourself. You start to look at Product X like work and not just "your dream come true." After all, it's sales and sales IS hard work.
8. You become more realistic about what to expect out of your product and business. You now realize that launching your website did not equal instant sales and you are able to carry on conversations with family/friends about topics other than yourself.
9. The product you launch with will not be the product you sell in the end. Believe it or not (I did not), there will be something wrong with your product that you will have to spend money to fix. An over site or a glitch that you will have to correct but don't worry, if you took the advice of almost everyone that has created a product, you have launched in "your own backyard" and are able to quickly fix the problem. Happened to me. I promise, it will happen to you...if it hasn't already.
10. You are SO grateful that you "did your homework!" You read your books, did your research and paid attention to the valuable tips you've received along the way because NOW is when that all pays off. You are armed with a slew of information and that's a very powerful thing. You are in the trenches and working hard at selling your brilliant idea and you will not take "no" for an answer. You are a true Inventor and very proud of yourself because you are following your dream. Good for you!!!
1. The first day that your product is officially for sale, you will feel like you are on cloud 9! Everyone will be congratulating you, you will be smiling from ear to ear and you will want to celebrate the fact that all of your hard work has paid off!
2. The next day will be like the day after Christmas. You will be totally bummed that your "official" launch date has passed.
3. Full speed ahead! You will be a selling machine!
4. Shockingly, you will hear your first "no." And believe me, it's a shock! After all, this is YOUR perfect invention and you were SURE everyone would absolutely LOVE it and HAVE to have it! But nope...not everything is for everyone.
5. After hearing that "no," this is where you will find out what you are made of. Will you go home and pout or will you shake it off and try, try again?
6. If you can not find someone to talk to about your product/business, you rather not talk at all. The only thing interesting to you in the first couple of weeks is your product, how it's selling, how BIG you are going to be, how you are marketing your product, etc. It's all about your Product X.
7. You get sick of yourself. You start to look at Product X like work and not just "your dream come true." After all, it's sales and sales IS hard work.
8. You become more realistic about what to expect out of your product and business. You now realize that launching your website did not equal instant sales and you are able to carry on conversations with family/friends about topics other than yourself.
9. The product you launch with will not be the product you sell in the end. Believe it or not (I did not), there will be something wrong with your product that you will have to spend money to fix. An over site or a glitch that you will have to correct but don't worry, if you took the advice of almost everyone that has created a product, you have launched in "your own backyard" and are able to quickly fix the problem. Happened to me. I promise, it will happen to you...if it hasn't already.
10. You are SO grateful that you "did your homework!" You read your books, did your research and paid attention to the valuable tips you've received along the way because NOW is when that all pays off. You are armed with a slew of information and that's a very powerful thing. You are in the trenches and working hard at selling your brilliant idea and you will not take "no" for an answer. You are a true Inventor and very proud of yourself because you are following your dream. Good for you!!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wow! She was SO rude!
You're in Sales?
Put your "big girl pants" on and strap on that "tough skin" because you are going to need it. While you're at it, practice smiling through all of those "clever comebacks" you WISH you could say as you bite your tongue.
Case in point...I was in Tampa, hitting up a very popular Girls Boutique... I met one of the boutique owners...she loved SassaB. She asked me to come back tomorrow to meet with the other owner. She asked me to leave my samples. And I was "dismissed."
I left feeling pretty good and got my SassaB spinner ready for delivery the next day.
Here is how the next day turned out:
Me: Hi! I'm Tracy with SassaB! (I am walking towards the other boutique owner who is sitting down).
BO: (Boutique Owner) Not standing up, she said in a very "dead pan" voice, "Yes, I just saw your samples in the back."
Me: Great! (I'm still making my way to her in the back of the store since she is not standing up to greet me)
BO: Umm, I don't think so. (please re-read that and insert the voice you'd use talking to dirt)
Me: Oh! (I was surprised she was not interested in SassaB after the positive feedback I received from the other owner but I was also taken aback by how rudely she was speaking to me. And that she is still sitting down. And that the two ladies that are shopping in the store are now staring at me)
Me: Ok...(she is just sitting there looking at me and it feels like time is standing still) Can I have my samples please?
BO: You want them back??? (snarl while reading this, and have a "shocked" tone in your voice like I had just told you to crash your car into a brick building)
Me: You want them? (this is where I wish I had more sales experience)
BO: We may change our mind. (Deadpan, snarl)
Me: Sure! Thanks! Have a great day!
Ugh! That was awful! However, the more experienced I get in Sales, this entire scenario could happen again with absolutely no effect on me. And those shoppers that watched all of that unfold...I would like to think that they put down their merchandise and walked out not wanting to support a business that speaks to people like poo.
I got in my car, ready to leave Tampa and this experience behind me when I noticed another boutique four doors down. I walked in, the store owner LOVED SassaB, sold the spinner I had ready for the other boutique and walked out with a check in less than 5 minutes! That felt GREAT!!!
No matter how rude someone is or how many "No's" you get, there is always someone else waiting with a smile and a "Yes" so don't give up and don't let the "yucky" people get you down!
In sales and in life...
Put your "big girl pants" on and strap on that "tough skin" because you are going to need it. While you're at it, practice smiling through all of those "clever comebacks" you WISH you could say as you bite your tongue.
Case in point...I was in Tampa, hitting up a very popular Girls Boutique... I met one of the boutique owners...she loved SassaB. She asked me to come back tomorrow to meet with the other owner. She asked me to leave my samples. And I was "dismissed."
I left feeling pretty good and got my SassaB spinner ready for delivery the next day.
Here is how the next day turned out:
Me: Hi! I'm Tracy with SassaB! (I am walking towards the other boutique owner who is sitting down).
BO: (Boutique Owner) Not standing up, she said in a very "dead pan" voice, "Yes, I just saw your samples in the back."
Me: Great! (I'm still making my way to her in the back of the store since she is not standing up to greet me)
BO: Umm, I don't think so. (please re-read that and insert the voice you'd use talking to dirt)
Me: Oh! (I was surprised she was not interested in SassaB after the positive feedback I received from the other owner but I was also taken aback by how rudely she was speaking to me. And that she is still sitting down. And that the two ladies that are shopping in the store are now staring at me)
Me: Ok...(she is just sitting there looking at me and it feels like time is standing still) Can I have my samples please?
BO: You want them back??? (snarl while reading this, and have a "shocked" tone in your voice like I had just told you to crash your car into a brick building)
Me: You want them? (this is where I wish I had more sales experience)
BO: We may change our mind. (Deadpan, snarl)
Me: Sure! Thanks! Have a great day!
Ugh! That was awful! However, the more experienced I get in Sales, this entire scenario could happen again with absolutely no effect on me. And those shoppers that watched all of that unfold...I would like to think that they put down their merchandise and walked out not wanting to support a business that speaks to people like poo.
I got in my car, ready to leave Tampa and this experience behind me when I noticed another boutique four doors down. I walked in, the store owner LOVED SassaB, sold the spinner I had ready for the other boutique and walked out with a check in less than 5 minutes! That felt GREAT!!!
No matter how rude someone is or how many "No's" you get, there is always someone else waiting with a smile and a "Yes" so don't give up and don't let the "yucky" people get you down!
In sales and in life...
Monday, November 14, 2011
Inventors Showcase-TAGIE NOMINEES 11/13 by SPEAK YOUR SUCCESS | Blog Talk Radio
I had a blast interviewing some great, young entrepreneurs that are nominated for the Tagie Awards. Remember Flipoutz from Shark Tank? Listen to where they are now and hear my story about SassaB!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
What I've learned in 1 week of launching SassaB
It's been a whirlwind of a week!
Once upon a time, if I did not sleep well, I could catch a cat nap on the sofa. I went to the grocery store and sometimes the gym. Ok, not the gym but I would wear gym clothes with good intentions.
But...not now my friends...now I am a selling machine! And this is what I have learned in just one short (but long) week of selling SassaB.
* Be ready for change. Launch in your own backyard so that when you make changes, it won't be too late and you won't embarrass yourself (I embarrass easily).
* Do not undervalue your product. I did and I ended up getting "schooled" in the lesson of price points. Turns out I was selling SassaB TOO low and my margins were not right. Insert embarrassment here. Now SassaB is sold for a retail price of $8.99 and it has actually HELPED sales! One store ordered 60 units just because we were priced RIGHT for the market.
* Leave your ego in the car with your extra samples of product because sometimes, people are just not nice and it's going to sting. Example: There is a store in Dunedin that I thought would be a good fit for SassaB so when the store owner was rude to me and actually handed me my business card back, I wanted SO badly to give her a piece of my mind. Like, for example, "I don't NEED to sell SassaB in here, there are plenty of shops on Main Street and the fact that you are just basically a jerk, I not only will not sell you SassaB, I will no longer shop in here myself and I will tell all of my friends and family to never step foot in your store again." This lady was SO full of herself...I can't stand that. BUT...I simply smiled, took my card back and said "Thank You." And guess what? The next store took that EXACT same business card and placed and order for 30 units. SO THERE mean lady. Teeheeehee....
* Don't get discouraged. After the incident with the mean lady, I wanted to go home and just promote online but if I had done that, I would not had gone on to sell 90 units that day. So stay strong!
* Stick to your guns. A store owner in Belleair wanted to carry SassaB on consignment. We had decided right in the beginning not to sell consignment (we just felt that we didn't need to and so far, we were correct). She wasn't happy about it and did not place an order however, we sold SassaB in two local stores in her area so...stick to your guns.
* Have fun, get excited and get sleep, you'll need it!
Once upon a time, if I did not sleep well, I could catch a cat nap on the sofa. I went to the grocery store and sometimes the gym. Ok, not the gym but I would wear gym clothes with good intentions.
But...not now my friends...now I am a selling machine! And this is what I have learned in just one short (but long) week of selling SassaB.
* Be ready for change. Launch in your own backyard so that when you make changes, it won't be too late and you won't embarrass yourself (I embarrass easily).
* Do not undervalue your product. I did and I ended up getting "schooled" in the lesson of price points. Turns out I was selling SassaB TOO low and my margins were not right. Insert embarrassment here. Now SassaB is sold for a retail price of $8.99 and it has actually HELPED sales! One store ordered 60 units just because we were priced RIGHT for the market.
* Leave your ego in the car with your extra samples of product because sometimes, people are just not nice and it's going to sting. Example: There is a store in Dunedin that I thought would be a good fit for SassaB so when the store owner was rude to me and actually handed me my business card back, I wanted SO badly to give her a piece of my mind. Like, for example, "I don't NEED to sell SassaB in here, there are plenty of shops on Main Street and the fact that you are just basically a jerk, I not only will not sell you SassaB, I will no longer shop in here myself and I will tell all of my friends and family to never step foot in your store again." This lady was SO full of herself...I can't stand that. BUT...I simply smiled, took my card back and said "Thank You." And guess what? The next store took that EXACT same business card and placed and order for 30 units. SO THERE mean lady. Teeheeehee....
* Don't get discouraged. After the incident with the mean lady, I wanted to go home and just promote online but if I had done that, I would not had gone on to sell 90 units that day. So stay strong!
* Stick to your guns. A store owner in Belleair wanted to carry SassaB on consignment. We had decided right in the beginning not to sell consignment (we just felt that we didn't need to and so far, we were correct). She wasn't happy about it and did not place an order however, we sold SassaB in two local stores in her area so...stick to your guns.
* Have fun, get excited and get sleep, you'll need it!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time to shop ~ SassaB is now for sale online!
We are excited to announce that you can now purchase SassaB Linkable Charms at www.SassaB.com!
SassaB Linkable Charms are perfect for Birthdays and just in time for the Holidays!
When you purchase, you will receive two SassaB packs with a total of four random linkable charms, a SassaB hair tie with link and a bobby pin with link ~ perfect for Creating Your Own Style and trading with your friends!
If you haven't already, stop by and "like" our SassaBLLC Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Thank you for supporting your fellow Inventor and don't forget to tell your friends!
SassaB Linkable Charms are perfect for Birthdays and just in time for the Holidays!
When you purchase, you will receive two SassaB packs with a total of four random linkable charms, a SassaB hair tie with link and a bobby pin with link ~ perfect for Creating Your Own Style and trading with your friends!
If you haven't already, stop by and "like" our SassaBLLC Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/SassaBLLC
Thank you for supporting your fellow Inventor and don't forget to tell your friends!
Friday, October 28, 2011
SassaB™ has launched!
SassaB LLC, is the maker of the first-choice-in-fun, must-have accessory charms for kids of all ages to wear, trade, collect and share. Inspired by her daughter’s minor fashion emergency, Tracy Sanders founded SassaB to fill this popular marketplace niche. Our motto: Create Your Own Style!
Tracy Sanders, Founder/CEO of SassaB LLC, sits down for Q & A with Jennifer Cannon of JenCann Productions:
Q: Tell us how you came up with the idea for SassaB.
A: Like a lot of great ideas, it happened almost by accident. One day my daughter, Brooke, was looking for something to wear in her hair for picture day at school. She was tired of the same old bows, barrettes and pony tail holders she had in her drawer.
Knowing how much Brooke loves charms, I went into my room, picked out a cute charm from my own bracelet, slid it on a bobby pin and put it in her hair. She looked in the mirror and very excitedly said, “I love it! I’m going to wear it to school and start a trend and trade them with my friends!”
As soon as I heard the words, “start a trend”, I saw an opportunity to create a fashionable, fun hair accessory and immediately went to work. I have always wanted to start my own business and I knew this was “it”.
Q: What were the most important factors you had in mind when designing SassaB?
A: I wanted to create a unique hair accessory that would allow the charms to link together creating endless design possibilities for imaginative kids. I researched the highest quality charms, bobby pins and hair ties before creating the one of a kind SassaB charms.
Price point was also very important to me. In this economy, I’m proud to sell a high quality product that’s fashionable and affordable!
Q: What makes SassaB unique?
A: SassaB’s patent pending, custom molded link is what sets them apart from other charms on the market. Our design makes them easily interchangeable and versatile enough to be used in many different ways.
By the way, they’re not just for girls! …Or even, dare I say, kids… The possibilities are endless:
· In your hair
· As custom necklace, bracelet or anklet
· On backpack, book or sports bag
· On lunch box
· On shoelaces
· On doggy or kitty collar
Our motto: Create Your Own Style!
Q: Behind every name is a story, what’s yours?
A: Our kids call my mom “Sassy” instead of Grandma. Sassy and Brooke are always talking about one day opening a restaurant called “Sassy and the B”. So the name SassaB was born from there and it feels catchy, so it stuck!
Q: We are becoming more aware of young entrepreneurs today. Will Brooke have a role in the company?
Brooke is, and will continue to be an important part of SassaB LLC. She’s my “go to” girl when design questions come up. After all, if it wasn’t for her fashion dilemma and vision of “starting a trend”, SassaB…wouldn’t be!
My son Hudson also has some ideas of his own for a future line of charms. It feels really good to have the whole family involved on this exciting journey!
**So here it is, MY Product X! To see what SassaB looks like, go to www.SassaB.com. You can email me to purchase SassaB or just to say "Hi!" SassaB retails for $6.99 and comes with two linkable charms, a SassaB hair tie with link and a bobby pin with link. We have a minimum order of two packs.
I can't thank you enough for your support and I can't believe this day is FINALLY here! We have another exciting announcement of how SassaB will be sold in the marketplace so keep checking in.
Much love,
Tracy Sanders
Founder/CEO
SassaB LLC
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Oops, I messed up
On my desk, in my office, SassaB hanging on a counter top spinner. But I've made a huge mistake!
I forgot to order the poly prop bags that SassaB will be loaded into. Yep. Forgot. So while I have the insert cards that were delivered today(!), SassaB, and the spinners for the retailers, I do not have that last bit of packaging to get SassaB into stores.
There is something else I am waiting on...my website guy to put up a SassaB landing page. We have added a QR code to the back of the packaging so that when scanned with a smart phone, you will be directed to our website. Right now if you go to SassaB.com, all you will see is that the site is hosted by Doster. Not a good look for new customers.
So for now, we will work on assembling SassaB packs and paperwork.
Once our landing page is up, I will announce what SassaB is...it seems like forever! Thank you all so much for waiting and showing your support through this last year. I hope I have been able to shed some light (in real time) on what it takes to have an idea and bring it to market.
Much love,
Tracy
I forgot to order the poly prop bags that SassaB will be loaded into. Yep. Forgot. So while I have the insert cards that were delivered today(!), SassaB, and the spinners for the retailers, I do not have that last bit of packaging to get SassaB into stores.
There is something else I am waiting on...my website guy to put up a SassaB landing page. We have added a QR code to the back of the packaging so that when scanned with a smart phone, you will be directed to our website. Right now if you go to SassaB.com, all you will see is that the site is hosted by Doster. Not a good look for new customers.
So for now, we will work on assembling SassaB packs and paperwork.
Once our landing page is up, I will announce what SassaB is...it seems like forever! Thank you all so much for waiting and showing your support through this last year. I hope I have been able to shed some light (in real time) on what it takes to have an idea and bring it to market.
Much love,
Tracy
Monday, October 24, 2011
"Don't show effort" ~ Billy Mays
Let me share something with you...from the heart...
I'm having an "emotional roller coaster" kind of day. We are launching SassaB this week and all day I have been asking myself, "Why aren't you EXCITED?!" Well...I figured it out.
I'm terrified. Will SassaB™ be the huge success I think it will be? That I am planning it to be? That I am praying it will be?
And I really didn't want to let you all know that. I want to be super confident and not let you or anyone else know that I am nervous. Doubting when I should be confident. Questioning when I should be certain. But...I want fellow inventors to know that it's OK to be nervous before and during the process of making your dream a reality. And maybe I had to let myself know that as well.
Billy Mays used to say, "Don't show effort." And I think we can apply that to many aspects of our lives, not just when shooting a Mighty Putty infomercial.
So mostly you will not see me show "effort" and instead you will hear of all the fun, hard work that I am putting into SassaB but for now...just to let you know...it does take "effort" and not always the "make it look easy" kind.
I'm having an "emotional roller coaster" kind of day. We are launching SassaB this week and all day I have been asking myself, "Why aren't you EXCITED?!" Well...I figured it out.
I'm terrified. Will SassaB™ be the huge success I think it will be? That I am planning it to be? That I am praying it will be?
And I really didn't want to let you all know that. I want to be super confident and not let you or anyone else know that I am nervous. Doubting when I should be confident. Questioning when I should be certain. But...I want fellow inventors to know that it's OK to be nervous before and during the process of making your dream a reality. And maybe I had to let myself know that as well.
Billy Mays used to say, "Don't show effort." And I think we can apply that to many aspects of our lives, not just when shooting a Mighty Putty infomercial.
So mostly you will not see me show "effort" and instead you will hear of all the fun, hard work that I am putting into SassaB but for now...just to let you know...it does take "effort" and not always the "make it look easy" kind.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Welcome to the SassaB™ office!
A few exciting things have happened...I now have an official SassaB office, a SassaB bank account, a SassaB barcode, and a SassaB office phone number. It's the finial few things that needed completed before our launch!
The office is in much need of updating, cleaning and organizing but not to worry, I am so excited about it all that I have tons of energy. This is the fun part! Well, actually, I think it's all going to be fun...Yes, it'll be hard work but worth every minute. I just can't wait to start selling!
Speaking of selling...we are ALMOST there...we are just waiting for our graphic artist to put the pictures on the back of the insert card. Then it's off to the printers. According to our graphic guy, we should have SassaB all ready to go by the end of next week. END OF NEXT WEEK!!! But...I have gone through this enough times to know to expect a delay...either way, it's not much longer.
What would be super cool would be to have SassaB ready for purchase before November. November will mark the one year point of when the idea of SassaB was born. I would love to have completed everything the month before so I can say, "We launched in under one year."
Stay tuned to Product X...SassaB will be announced here first and then...Product X will actually have a face!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Crunch Time!
"Create Your Own Style!"
That's our tag line and really, that says it all! The beauty of SassaB™ is exactly that...no two designs will be the same and everyone can "create" their own personal look. Pretty exciting!
We had our photo shoot on Sunday and the pictures came out amazing. The photographer is a friend of mine and did a really fabulous job...he is very talented (shot the opening for Live With Regis and Kelly among many other big jobs) so I knew everything would be top notch.
We had seven models, all of whom had never seen SassaB™ so I was anxious to get their feed back.
This is what I heard:
"These are SO awesome!" " I can't wait to start wearing them!" "ALL of my friends are going to want them!"
The Mom's loved them too and was especially impressed with our price point. "Very affordable!"
I spoke with my Graphic Artist and to quote him..."We should have everything ready for you by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week."
To quote me: "OH MY GOSH, IT'S ALMOST FINALLY HERE!!!"
Now...I'm somewhat panicked...but I knew that was to be expected. I still have tons to do before we start selling and now it's crunch time. I work best under pressure so I know it'll get done but holy cow...there's a lot to do!
So off to work I go...yay!
That's our tag line and really, that says it all! The beauty of SassaB™ is exactly that...no two designs will be the same and everyone can "create" their own personal look. Pretty exciting!
We had our photo shoot on Sunday and the pictures came out amazing. The photographer is a friend of mine and did a really fabulous job...he is very talented (shot the opening for Live With Regis and Kelly among many other big jobs) so I knew everything would be top notch.
We had seven models, all of whom had never seen SassaB™ so I was anxious to get their feed back.
This is what I heard:
"These are SO awesome!" " I can't wait to start wearing them!" "ALL of my friends are going to want them!"
The Mom's loved them too and was especially impressed with our price point. "Very affordable!"
I spoke with my Graphic Artist and to quote him..."We should have everything ready for you by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week."
To quote me: "OH MY GOSH, IT'S ALMOST FINALLY HERE!!!"
Now...I'm somewhat panicked...but I knew that was to be expected. I still have tons to do before we start selling and now it's crunch time. I work best under pressure so I know it'll get done but holy cow...there's a lot to do!
So off to work I go...yay!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
It's called a Roller Coaster for a reason
When I received the email saying the remaining pieces of SassaB had been shipped, I was counting the days until the shipment arrived at my door!
So when the 3-5 business days had passed, I called DHL and was told, "I'm sorry but it doesn't look like anything has been shipped to your address and we can not locate the tracking number you are providing."
UGH!!! REALLY?! COME ON!!!
I honestly thought, this is it, I can't do this anymore...this whole inventor thing stinks...SassaB will never get off the ground. I was having a full out pity party.
And then...the door bell rings...I can see the bright red and yellow uniform through the glass in our front door and I literately RAN to open it. The DHL guy must have thought I was nuts because I was jumping up and down (really, I was!) saying, "You're here! You're here! Yay! It's finally here!"
DHL guy looks at me and says, "Miss, these packages are really heavy, where could I put them down?"
I was so busy gushing that I had not even let him in yet. Ha!
Besides being thrilled that all the pieces of SassaB had arrived, the point to the story is this: Being an inventor/business owner is a mental roller coaster! Just when you think you're kaput and just can't take it a minute longer, something wonderful happens to remind you that this is YOUR dream, your vision, your hard work and DON'T GIVE UP!
*Note* I called DHL to ask them why they did not see my order in their system and their response: "I'm sorry, you spoke to someone who did not know what he was talking about."
Yes...emotional roller coaster...but one I am happy to be on!
So when the 3-5 business days had passed, I called DHL and was told, "I'm sorry but it doesn't look like anything has been shipped to your address and we can not locate the tracking number you are providing."
UGH!!! REALLY?! COME ON!!!
I honestly thought, this is it, I can't do this anymore...this whole inventor thing stinks...SassaB will never get off the ground. I was having a full out pity party.
And then...the door bell rings...I can see the bright red and yellow uniform through the glass in our front door and I literately RAN to open it. The DHL guy must have thought I was nuts because I was jumping up and down (really, I was!) saying, "You're here! You're here! Yay! It's finally here!"
DHL guy looks at me and says, "Miss, these packages are really heavy, where could I put them down?"
I was so busy gushing that I had not even let him in yet. Ha!
Besides being thrilled that all the pieces of SassaB had arrived, the point to the story is this: Being an inventor/business owner is a mental roller coaster! Just when you think you're kaput and just can't take it a minute longer, something wonderful happens to remind you that this is YOUR dream, your vision, your hard work and DON'T GIVE UP!
*Note* I called DHL to ask them why they did not see my order in their system and their response: "I'm sorry, you spoke to someone who did not know what he was talking about."
Yes...emotional roller coaster...but one I am happy to be on!
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