I had to go on a bit of a hiatus during the last weeks of 2009 – holidays, move, sick relatives to care for, preparing house for sale, searching for work, planning a wedding…. it’s a wonder I’m not in a straightjacket!!!!!!

But getting back to normal (as I can be) in 2010, I am developing the beauteous design and stimulating text for 2 new blogs:

• The Sun Never Stops – We have such a wealth of talent and spirit in southeastern Arizona! Unfortunately, many local business owners just don’t know how to make the sun shine on their business. My wish is to let in the worldwide rays of public awareness and give light to the hard-working, friendly, and unique business owners and artisans of this region. Stay tuned!
• C2S2 – This one is my baby about common sense customer service. Despite some expert warnings to the contrary, EXCELLENT SERVICE is the “new black”.  Thus, I am extrapolating from my years of training and service to tell it like it is – customers are your most precious asset as a business owner! Yeah, you heard me. It’s not your location, not your marketing, not your price points, not even your product. Customer. Is. King. Too many businesses have recently disappeared into the abyss, not because of poor economy, but rather poor customer satisfaction. Excellent customer service WILL save your company!!

Looking forward to new beginnings (yeah I know, horribly cliché but true), new writings and new connections.

Hope you are all happy, safe and following your dreams!

Thanks for reading,

K

10 OF SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA’S BEST KEPT SECRETS

There’s a wealth of Old West history throughout Cochise County.  But if a visitor takes the time to take the roads less traveled, there are several less obvious gems just waiting to be discovered. In no particular order, these are 10 places/businesses that I have personally visited (some several times), so I’m not just regurgitating someone else’s web content. Unfortunately, some of these destinations do not have websites; those that do have links are included, but they don’t do the places justice. You’ll just have to come down and see them for yourself.

1.      Lollipops and Polka Dots in Benson

Opened as a storefront for Accessory to Design Interiors, this new little gem is like taking a stroll in grandma’s attic, having coffee with a friend, and visiting a local art fair all in one. Owner and Interior Designer Sarah Retherford not only promotes her successful design business, but also provides a local venue to showcase local artists and crafters. It is a community business in its truest sense.

2.      Empire Ranch

Developed in the 1860’s, this breathtaking, 160-acre property is a must-see for nature and history lovers alike. Thanks to the concerted efforts of local citizen groups, visitors can experience an active cattle ranch embedded in beautifully preserved original buildings and equipment. The Empire Ranch is a history tour and a little piece of ranching heaven. http://www.empireranchfoundation.org/

3.      Dragoon, AZ

Take a magical mystery tour on Highway 80 through Texas Canyon, home of the mind-bending “Flinstone Rocks”, to the quaintest of quaint desert communities. Dragoon is more than a gateway to the Cochise Stronghold or the town next to “The Thing”: it is home to many talented artists, an eclectic Apache Gift Shop, Butterfield Stage ruins, and just downright friendly folks.

4.      Old Benson Ice Cream Shop

This was home of the local Dairy Queen for 50 years until 2003. The shop reopened in 2008 under the ownership of a local rancher who also served as one of the Dairy Queen’s first employees. OBICS offers 44 (yes you read that right) flavor options for soft serve and espresso drinks using the best beans from local roaster Bisbee Coffee Company. The OBICS is what an ice cream (and soft serve) shop should be: yummy treats, great service and some local tasty extras like a strong latte.

5.      The Grasslands Cafe in Sonoita

This little slice of German heaven is off the beaten path, a couple blocks south of Highway 82/83 junction in Sonoita. The Cafe offers not just traditional and authentic German goodies but succulent, beautiful, artistic muffins and breads and cakes and torts; God, the torts! Plus, they have a — yes it’s true — tasty selection of gluten-free items such as their peanut butter and honey enhanced energy bars. You will never go back to processed energy supplement bars again. And don’t get me started on the iced German coffee… http://www.grasslandscafe.com/

6.      Carter’s Drive-In in Willcox

It’s quite fashionable to advertise “old-fashioned hamburgers”, but this place has the real thing! Greasy, juicy, better-have-lots-of-extra-napkins kind of burgers. And there are sides galore and fries that actually taste like potatoes. This IS your momma’s burger joint and our taste buds are the better for it. Proof that sometimes, fancy ain’t better, just fancy. Oh and it’s the home of the original A&W Family.

7.      The Mole at Santiago’s Restaurant in Bisbee

Chef Karina Batty took weeks to create the perfect combination of peppers and spices and a “mysterious amount of chocolate” for her Oaxacan inspired mole sauce. And inspired it is – unbelievably rich and light without losing any traditional flavors. If you have yet to experience Mole sauce, run to Santiago’s! And their margarita’s are rumored to be legendary. http://thebisbeegrille.blogspot.com/

8.      Tombstone Ghost Tour

Tombstone is a western Mecca for ghost hunters worldwide. Unfortunately, much of the focus is on fabricating ghosts to lure tourists to well-known sites. Fortunately, the Tombstone Ghost Tour team provides a REAL haunted tour complete with well-documented stories and locations pertinent to the demise of lesser known characters  like “Justice Jim” Burnett and John Heath. http://www.spiritsoftombstone.com/

9.      Gallery of Dreams in St. David

I have actually talked to people who have traveled through St. David and MISSED the big, periwinkle blue building! Driving with blinders on I guess. Sculpted literally out of the talent and dreams of bronze artist Timothy Trask, it is one of the most inviting galleries around. Both renowned, national artists and local creators (shameless plug here for my mom’s crosses on display) are expertly displayed in a way to complement and showcase each other. And if you’re lucky, you can sneak a peek at the latest Trask creation in the back studio. http://agalleryofdreams.com/index.html

10.  Cochise County Tourism Council Website

I hope this isn’t an actual secret, because it is a fabulous, informative, site showcasing the sights and sounds of our little corner of the world. Before you come visit any of the communities in Cochise County for a day or a week or a lifetime (as many visitors do), check it out. www.explorecochise.com.

Do you have any secret places or businesses in SE Arizona that need to get out? Let me know.

Thanks for reading.

Karla

Never one to follow convention, I am making some New Year’s Resolutions a bit early. The list is simple and straightforward, because complexity is overrated.

1. Leave my personal pity party for my journal and off my blog.
2. Create a real, marketable brand that speaks more to customers than to my psyche (look for a new blog/site).
3. Finish my online portfolio so I’m not haphazardly picking and choosing appropriate clips for freelance opportunities.
4. Register my LLC.
5. Build my webpage – yeah I will probably hire someone to really make it shine, but I am taking classes starting next week to learn the basics.
6. Actively utilize the social media tools that I have been given.
7. Build my online network of friends and colleagues.
8. Ensure that my fiance makes it to the altar April 10! =)
9. Stop worrying, stop worrying, stop worrying, stop worrying. If you build it…
10. Have fun (see #7). Rule #62!

Have you made your list for 2010 yet? From personal experience, keep the long-term list to 15 or less items and your short-term list to, hmm, about 5. Seem too few? Once you cross them off, you can add 5 more, but no more than that.

Here’s to the new year and a new you!

Thanks for reading.

Karla

“I am NOT in the habit of talking to myself. Even though it’s the only way I can get a decent conversation around here.” Queen of Hearts, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

How do you approach Potential Clients (P.C.s)? Do you talk to them, actually have a conversation with them? Or do you pounce on them right away like a hungry lion?

 ”How long have you been doing ______?” is a great conversation starter when networking with P.C.s.

 ENTERING THE RING

I attended a community/business expo with the sole intent of networking. I wholeheartedly admit that I am not comfortable with this kind of promotion. This expo was intimidating. I naively thought their might be 20-30 vendors as it was a first-time event, held in a high school parking lot (yes I live in Arizona), in a relatively small bedroom community. Whoa, was I shocked when I pulled up just 10 minutes after it started and couldn’t find a place to park ! I discovered there were nearly 2oo vendors parked in this lot. I almost turned my car around (damn that initial fear). But I parked, grabbed my business cards and a small notebook, put a smile on my face, a boost of confidence in my step and entered.

I had a blast!

NOT STALKING – SIZING UP

Acting like a seasoned networker who enters the room, I walked up and down the aisles getting a lay of the land. My target audience was businesses that projected an air of “small business”. I talked to a life coach, a teacher, an interior designer, a magic shop, an acupuncturist, a physician, a gourd artist and a home handyman to name a few. Let me tell you, I don’t need to teach the magic shop any tricks (pun intended). He pulled out his business card from his “wallet” and it burst into flames! Now THAT”S promotion folks!!

IT’S LIKE A FIRST DATE

After the intial once-over of the vendor’s products and exchange of pleasantries, I asked them: “So, how long have you been doing ______?” That showed immediate interest in not only their product but also the person. Conversations rolled pretty easy after that. I find the ice breaker not unlike the recommended starter when networking at a party and asking the other person how they know the host.

The idea here is just start a friendly conversation. Nearly every person I spoke to, asked me what I do or what brought me to the event. This is where I inserted my “elevator speech” about My product and that I was there wanting to learn more about marketing opportunities in that community.

So when networking, think FRIENDLY CONVERSATION. Don’t jump on some unsuspecting P.C. by immediately tooting your horn, they will be turned off. And don’t just give them your business card and walk away: no face time, no memory of you.

How do you start your business networking conversations? Are they conversations or assaults?

Thanks for reading.

Karla

“I wonder if I’ve been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great puzzle!” — Alice Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

So much has happened since my last post! I made great headway in my networking efforts. Yet for some reason, I was haunted the other night by the question above: “Who in the world am I?”.

I had the epiphany that maybe I was approaching this business of mine a bit assbackwards. Why? Well after attending a local community and business fair, I realized that I didn’t feel very confident in the product that I am selling (my marketing and promotional services). I’m focusing on clients and tactics and ways to reach out to THEIR P.C.’s but it all felt discombobulated. That’s how I felt – Discombobulated.

EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE

I realized as I was talking to an acupuncturist at the community fair that all my ideas for tactics, minus direction, will not help me or him. He was so excited and passionate about his business and the direction he wanted to go including marketing his website, articles, marketing an upcoming book. SSSSOOOO many possibilities I was salivating. But I went home that night and I thought, how do I focus my efforts to get him to sign on as a client?

So many businesses in their infancy stage want to be everything to all customers. They want attention, to be held, to be loved. I will not lie: so do I. But I am not superwoman and not everyone is going to love me, let alone want to buy my wares. That’s the hard but smart truth about marketing your business. TARGET your customer, determine who will most likely purchase your product and let them know you have what they need.

TO PLAN OR NOT TO, WELL YOU KNOW…

So how do I “get right”? With a plan.

Pretty fundamental mistake on my part. But I am so excited to help people that I just start spurting out ideas without plotting and planning the best tactics based on the business and its customer base. So I had to channel my enthusiasm but put my EGO on the top shelf for safekeeping. I had to go back to the basics of marketing and look at what MY marketing plan is.

So I am putting together my plan today. More on what that entails in my next post.

Thanks for reading.

Karla

“Don’t just do something, stand there!… Go get my gloves, I’m late!” – White Rabbit, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

I didn’t mention that while I’m trying to launch this project, I’m also in the process of selling my house and moving in with my future husband – oh and planning a wedding for the spring of next year! Ahhhhh!

One of the problems that I suffer from is that I can get muy, muy overwhelmed by the enormity of all the tasks that have to be completed. Like a cat lying on the ground and the great hand of time is taunting me with a gazillion balls of string above me head. Sometimes my mind moves in one hundred different directions while my feet are planted firmly in one spot: standing as fast as I can. What do I do next?

Great minds have often counceled me to do what’s in front of me or do the next right thing.

So this post is short because I have a room in front of me that needs sorting into the keep vs. sell piles and packed away.

TODAY’S MOVEMENT–

On the business side, I have emailed two P.C.s (potential clients see 11/11 post) to check on status. One is developing quotes for me for a pro bono project and I hope to land her as a paying client. The other is the P.C. mentioned yesterday. Just wanted to let her know that I am thinking of her and will seek her out at networking event over weekend and touch base with her personally next week.

That’s it for now, the room awaits. Ugh, but has to be done.

Thanks for letting me share.

Karla

Alice: “But I don’t want to go among mad people.” Cheshire Cat: “Oh, you can’t help that. We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”

Well today is officially a holiday: Veteran’s Day. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Fort Hood, TX as they deal with the “uncommon sense” of the tragedy that occurred there last week. Thank you to all the men and women who have an abundance of courage that I do not possess.

Since my other half has the day off, I won’t be conducting any business today. So I will recap some of my recent activities to get this adventure on the road. And my posts won’t all be this long!

The idea for my “art chamber” project came to me while driving home (all good thoughts do) after a meeting with a Potential Client. (From here on out, Potential Client will be referred to as P.C., not to ever be confused with the fact that I, myself, am PC!) It is important to point out this P.C. came from none other than my MOTHER! Yes it’s true what the experts say about contacts.

P.C. is a shop owner who wants to better market her wares while at the same time providing space for local artists to display theirs. What a great idea to get involved in the community while building those essential business partnerships. She commented that many of these artists have nowhere else to display than the local flea market or traveling 70 miles to the “big city.”

I have heard that before from local artists. and I thought where can they go to get support, resources, and promotion of their soul’s work? We have chambers of commerce for businesses and local artists have found these chambers less than helpful at best. Many cannot afford the high membership fees for the low exposure. Thus the seed was planted.

DON’T YOU HAVE TO SEARCH BEFORE YOU RESEARCH?

I spent about two hours on Friday night Googling and Blinging chambers of commerce and took copious notes on the common features of these organizations and how to translate that to an “artists only” site. Now I have to take a second to clarify my objective: many effective artists associations out there are helpful to a limited audience – artists who work in oils, pastels, acrylics, chalk, ink, clay and photography. HOWEVER, there are a wealth of local artists including (to name a few);

•  writers,
• musicians,
•  interior designers,
• paper designers,
• glass blowers,
• wood turners,
• textile designers,
• beaders/jewelers,
• gem setters,
• silver and gold “smithers”,
• metal shapers, and
• mixed medium creators.

Many of these “other” artists get little to no exposure and they have no forum to talk to other artists in the area about their craft. That’s where this project comes in.

EVERY JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP AND SEVERAL FLATFACE FALLS

So my next steps will be (in no particular order)

• Network with a local well-connected businessman at a function this weekend
• Attend a regional community fair on Saturday with business cards in hand
• Sign up for a web design class at the local college beginning in December
• Follow up with P.C. shopowner. I was a little hard on her telling her that she needed to restructure her shop and possibly change the name to better reflect her business. We’ll see if she proceeded or decided I needed my head examined. Which may not be a crazy idea.
• Continue to harrass the hell out of my contacts for freelance and contract work to bring income in the interim.

So now I’m going to help my sweetheart enjoy his day off. More tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Karla

I am starting my own business. There, it seems more real in print.

I have been struggling to put together this blog as I have been struggling to figure out what to do in the last several months that I have been living in the land of employment make-believe (a.k.a. I have a shiny new no-interest credit card because it is funded from my state unemployment benefits account).

This whole unemployment deal has been a real test of my willingess to replace all my clothes with a fancy white jacket with extra long sleeves and buckles in the back. I am fortunate to have friends and loved ones who have stood by me on my emotional magical mystery tour. But I have, as previously written (not yet in stone) decided that I am going into business for myself. I am developing an online “chamber” for artists in my region complete with calendars, monthly mixers, community involvement and a Board of Directors.

And I have FB’d and tweeted and actually conversed face-to-face with others who have trudged the road of happy destiny known as the Entrepreneur Highway. HOWEVER, of all the well-intended fellow travelers, none have pointed me in the direction of their travel “diaries” or “how I got to where I am” in MORE than 140 characters. So I am producing this blog for three reasons:

• Therapy!
• Keep me accountable to keep up my startup
• Provide a means to say, “Yeah I’ve walked a mile in your shoes”.

So feel free to take a look at my triumphs and pitfalls along the way. If you want to cheer me on or stop me and ask me where the hell am I going: again feel free. At the end of the road, I might just end up with nothing more than a pair of shoes with holes in the soles, but here I go.

Karla