The saying, "It's business, it's not personal" has been around for years but I remember it best from one of my favorite movies You've got Mail. Just thinking of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in this adorable romantic comedy puts a smile on my face. But this post isn't about romance or movies. It's about getting a thick skin and putting on your "business hat."
I've had a recent experience with a very young, inexperienced graphic artist whom I had hired in February that has not ended favorably. After a few months working together I realized that this business relationship was not going to work out so I explained that SassaB was going in another direction and to please send me an invoice for the remaining balance of our contract. That was April. I never received an invoice.
Ten days ago I ran into this young, inexperienced graphic artist and when I cheerfully approached her to say "Hello" she curtly said, "We are still under contract." Because I had not received an invoice four months ago when I requested one and had not heard from her, I assumed we were all square with payment. Apparently not.
Long story short, I have requested an invoice three times now (via email) and still have not received one. I'm not sure why she is not billing me but I can only chalk it up to her lack of experience working with clients and hopefully this can be a learning experience for her.
What I have learned is that you get what you pay for and...It's business, it's not personal.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Setting our sights on October
I woke up this morning with an email telling me that 3,000 units of SassaB™ are on their way. I am waiting for 6,000 more and I have 1,000 here already so once I get all 10,000 pieces, I can launch!
But here is what I have to do in the meantime: Get Product Liability Insurance, Have photos/video taken (can not do this until I have all 10,000 units), order die cuts (need pics for die cuts), order floor and counter displays (need photos), have website designed (need photos/videos for this), purchase/decide on a mailer to send out samples.
As you can see, most of what I have to do can not be done until I get photos and I can not get photos until I receive all of the product. So what we are looking at is launching one month from the time all of the product is in our office. Let's check the calender...if we go by past orders/timeline, I am looking at the first week of September for receiving the finial products.
That puts us in October. That is one month before the year anniversary of the idea of SassaB™. One year. Wow...that year went fast!!!
If you remember, I was planning on launching in March (so naive!), then in June which turned into August and now I am setting my sights on October. Let's hope October it is!
But here is what I have to do in the meantime: Get Product Liability Insurance, Have photos/video taken (can not do this until I have all 10,000 units), order die cuts (need pics for die cuts), order floor and counter displays (need photos), have website designed (need photos/videos for this), purchase/decide on a mailer to send out samples.
As you can see, most of what I have to do can not be done until I get photos and I can not get photos until I receive all of the product. So what we are looking at is launching one month from the time all of the product is in our office. Let's check the calender...if we go by past orders/timeline, I am looking at the first week of September for receiving the finial products.
That puts us in October. That is one month before the year anniversary of the idea of SassaB™. One year. Wow...that year went fast!!!
If you remember, I was planning on launching in March (so naive!), then in June which turned into August and now I am setting my sights on October. Let's hope October it is!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Work vs. Love - why not have both?
While my Husband and I were talking business on date night, he kindly pointed out that I do not like to work. Thanks Babe. Let me ask you this, who DOES like to work? Work is called "work" for a reason.
But the beautiful part is, SassaB™ is not "work." Yes, I will be really, really busy...no more catching up on Bravo in the middle of the day but I couldn't be happier. I am following my dream and I am blessed to be able to say so.
If you knew my Husband, you'd know that he is quite the skeptic. It takes a lot to get Jason excited about something. Some would say he's a pessimist. I prefer "realist" but either way, when Jason is on board with something, you know that "something" is pretty darn good. And...yep, he's on board with SassaB. Phew.
Last night he told me, "You have me totally convinced that you can sell 5,000 units of SassaB like that" (insert snap here). It doesn't hurt that every retailer we have shown SassaB to wants to place an order. That's 100%. Our friends and family love it to and rave to Jason what a genius I am. Ha! I love that part!
So I will work, work, work the day away and love, love every minute of it!
I hope you are out there doing what you love as well!
But the beautiful part is, SassaB™ is not "work." Yes, I will be really, really busy...no more catching up on Bravo in the middle of the day but I couldn't be happier. I am following my dream and I am blessed to be able to say so.
If you knew my Husband, you'd know that he is quite the skeptic. It takes a lot to get Jason excited about something. Some would say he's a pessimist. I prefer "realist" but either way, when Jason is on board with something, you know that "something" is pretty darn good. And...yep, he's on board with SassaB. Phew.
Last night he told me, "You have me totally convinced that you can sell 5,000 units of SassaB like that" (insert snap here). It doesn't hurt that every retailer we have shown SassaB to wants to place an order. That's 100%. Our friends and family love it to and rave to Jason what a genius I am. Ha! I love that part!
So I will work, work, work the day away and love, love every minute of it!
I hope you are out there doing what you love as well!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
If you would have said...
Update:
Yesterday was a good day!
We received a huge shipment of a key component for SassaB™ and they turned out beautifully!
If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would know what our Federal Guidelines are for SassaB and how to go about becoming compliant, I would have said, "No way could I understand that!" If you would have told me that I would learn how to be my own Sourcing Agent, I probably would have rolled my eyes. Um, yeah right. If you said, "Tracy, you are going to learn about Patent Laws, Trademarking, and Branding, I am sure I would have said, "That sounds way to complicated!"
See, I was naive. Here I had this wonderful idea for a totally unique product that the market has not seen yet and I thought it would just "happen" but noooooo, nothing is THAT easy, right?! However, I am so happy that I was basically forced to learn all of this myself because I have such a greater understanding of my company.
One thing I have been saying a lot, "I wish I had someone to hold my hand and walk me through this process of launching my product, it's so hard...confusing to understand." And yes, I wish some Entrepreneurial God would come down and show me the (easy!) way but until that happens, I am taking baby steps and learning what it takes to be a successful Entrepreneur all by myself. And that feels good.
Yesterday was a good day!
We received a huge shipment of a key component for SassaB™ and they turned out beautifully!
If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would know what our Federal Guidelines are for SassaB and how to go about becoming compliant, I would have said, "No way could I understand that!" If you would have told me that I would learn how to be my own Sourcing Agent, I probably would have rolled my eyes. Um, yeah right. If you said, "Tracy, you are going to learn about Patent Laws, Trademarking, and Branding, I am sure I would have said, "That sounds way to complicated!"
See, I was naive. Here I had this wonderful idea for a totally unique product that the market has not seen yet and I thought it would just "happen" but noooooo, nothing is THAT easy, right?! However, I am so happy that I was basically forced to learn all of this myself because I have such a greater understanding of my company.
One thing I have been saying a lot, "I wish I had someone to hold my hand and walk me through this process of launching my product, it's so hard...confusing to understand." And yes, I wish some Entrepreneurial God would come down and show me the (easy!) way but until that happens, I am taking baby steps and learning what it takes to be a successful Entrepreneur all by myself. And that feels good.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Dinner with Mr. Daymond John
What $1,000 will get me:
* 10,000 pieces for SassaB™
* Our website built
* A professional logo
* Half of the cost of a patent search
* A half hour skype consult with Daymond John
What do you think I would want to spend that $1,000 on? Yep, the consult with Daymond John. Better yet, I'd spend the $1,500 to have a 30 minute face to face. And if I was REALLY made of money, I'd take him out to dinner for $2,000. And you know I would drag that dinner on and on and on...
However...I am now a - ahem - serious Entrepreneur/Business Owner and instead of spending a big chunk of our company's budget on what I KNOW would be a life changing, product building, business advice gold mine, I have to be realistic and put that $1,000 elsewhere. Bummer.
My Husband (patiently) asked what I was hoping to gain from a meeting with Mr. John since we don't have sales. Heck, we don't even have the product yet!
Here is the dream scenario: After the containment of gushing on my part, I would show Mr. John SassaB™ and pitch what I believe to be the upcoming hottest new trend on the market. I would gladly explain that we have not even sold one unit yet but I am certain that we will sell millions and millions once we launch. Daymond (we are now on a first name basis) would say, "Tracy, this product is genius! I want to get in on the ground floor and partner with you. We are going to make SassaB™ the most sought after product the market has seen in years!"
See, I believe in those rare but real fairy tale endings. I am convinced that the above scenario would become a reality if I could blow our budget on a dinner with Mr. John. But, sadly, I can not. So it's back to figuring this all out on my own...and one day, when SassaB™ IS the hottest new trend on the market, I will schedule that dinner with Mr. John...I'm thinking Pastis...
* 10,000 pieces for SassaB™
* Our website built
* A professional logo
* Half of the cost of a patent search
* A half hour skype consult with Daymond John
What do you think I would want to spend that $1,000 on? Yep, the consult with Daymond John. Better yet, I'd spend the $1,500 to have a 30 minute face to face. And if I was REALLY made of money, I'd take him out to dinner for $2,000. And you know I would drag that dinner on and on and on...
However...I am now a - ahem - serious Entrepreneur/Business Owner and instead of spending a big chunk of our company's budget on what I KNOW would be a life changing, product building, business advice gold mine, I have to be realistic and put that $1,000 elsewhere. Bummer.
My Husband (patiently) asked what I was hoping to gain from a meeting with Mr. John since we don't have sales. Heck, we don't even have the product yet!
Here is the dream scenario: After the containment of gushing on my part, I would show Mr. John SassaB™ and pitch what I believe to be the upcoming hottest new trend on the market. I would gladly explain that we have not even sold one unit yet but I am certain that we will sell millions and millions once we launch. Daymond (we are now on a first name basis) would say, "Tracy, this product is genius! I want to get in on the ground floor and partner with you. We are going to make SassaB™ the most sought after product the market has seen in years!"
See, I believe in those rare but real fairy tale endings. I am convinced that the above scenario would become a reality if I could blow our budget on a dinner with Mr. John. But, sadly, I can not. So it's back to figuring this all out on my own...and one day, when SassaB™ IS the hottest new trend on the market, I will schedule that dinner with Mr. John...I'm thinking Pastis...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
On the up-swing
After sitting on my hands, waiting for my manufacture to get back with me, SassaB™ is on an up-swing once again. That is what I have noticed...nothing happens for weeks and then all of sudden we are full steam ahead!
I have struggled for months with communicating with our manufacture in China so I am excited to report that we have hired a Sourcing Agent. This was suggested to me months ago but I wanted to give it a go myself and save money. Very quickly I found out that "doing it myself" was not an option. It's a relief that I can turn over the negotiations and order placing to someone whom understands the business and the language. It'll be worth the money, for sure!
We still do not have a logo...I'm almost in the frame of mind to type SassaB™ in bold black letters and slap it on the dye-cut. Of course I am kidding but some days I do feel like taking the easy way out. Here is where that word comes into play again...tenacity.
Unfortunately, we will be missing the "Back to School" launch but honestly, I'm just glad to be moving forward at all. I have learned that just because you have a great idea for an invention and the best intentions for making your invention a reality, does not mean there is any guarantee that it'll one day be for sale.
I have struggled for months with communicating with our manufacture in China so I am excited to report that we have hired a Sourcing Agent. This was suggested to me months ago but I wanted to give it a go myself and save money. Very quickly I found out that "doing it myself" was not an option. It's a relief that I can turn over the negotiations and order placing to someone whom understands the business and the language. It'll be worth the money, for sure!
We still do not have a logo...I'm almost in the frame of mind to type SassaB™ in bold black letters and slap it on the dye-cut. Of course I am kidding but some days I do feel like taking the easy way out. Here is where that word comes into play again...tenacity.
Unfortunately, we will be missing the "Back to School" launch but honestly, I'm just glad to be moving forward at all. I have learned that just because you have a great idea for an invention and the best intentions for making your invention a reality, does not mean there is any guarantee that it'll one day be for sale.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Shark Branding Product Search
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| http://www.submitmyinvention.com | |||||
| While I wait, wait, wait for the next steps needed for SassaB™ I wanted to let you know about this great opportunity. The process to make your invention a success is a long, challenging one. Product searches like this can be the answer you were looking for! Let me know if you submit yours! Good luck! | |||||
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