Resurrection

Well, it's been way too long since I have been on here. I have spent the last 1 1/2 years on hiatus from Sugar Lamb. Mainly due to being burned out, being discouraged (more on this later) and being a full time mom to two sweet little girls. About a year ago, my husband lost his job so it was back to work for me. I currently now work for a cell phone company answering questions about bills all day. Yeah for me, but at least it is a steady paycheck. My husband did find another job but it really took a hit on us.

Now, I am trying to resurrect my business. It's been a very long time since I have done anything, and I am trying to reinvent my company as well. It's hard starting over though. My previous business garnered a lot of great press, but I ended up being charged with trademark infringement and in conjunction with this, a cease and desist order. It literally crushed me and ruined my business. I had to come up a new company name get rid of any inventory with my old logo, basically burn my stash of labels, marketing into, business cards etc... After I switched names I lost all of my old press which I worked so hard to get. So I just stopped everything. I gave up but nonetheless that is what I did.

So flash forward to today. As I mentioned I am working full time, 2nd shift to be exact. I'm training for the swimming portion of a triathalon and running my kids to school, and trying desparatly not to feel overwhelmed. I need to be creative, it's built into who I am and I also want a business too. I once read you can have everything, just not all at once. From my experience with my last company, it is so true. Even though my business was doing well, my family needed more of my attention. So that is why I have decided to redirect my efforts into patterns. This will allow me to still be creative and will give me more time with my family which at the end of the day is more important.

In order to maintain my balance between work and family, I will be blogging once a week and will be offering a free project/pattern once a month. My patterns will be on my etsy shop - www.sugarlambpatterns.etsy.com

So stay tuned for some great ideas and innovative patterns.

Rock On!

Deborah Nolan

Knitting 101

I just finished my first real knitting project in about 5 years. Yikes! I know. made a pair of darling little mittens out a yummy pink yarn. Here's some pictures.

The cute one modeling them is my daughter. I joined a knitting group in my little town and last night was my week to host. Now I am starting my new project - another pair of mittens. I have started a matching hat to go with the pink mittens about 6 times. No seriously, it has been about 1/2 dozen times. I didn't count correctly. On top of that, either my cats would drag it all over the house, I would loose count or made mistakes so I would just start over. Last night, one of the women showed me how to increase the correct way, so maybe I will attempt the hat one more time.
Speaking of knitting - Vickie Howell - is airing a brand new podcast. You should totally check it out (I know I am). It airs weekly and features different guests.

Rock on!

Oh, I am working on my brand new top secret product. I just made the pattern today. So I should have a finished product by next week.

First Day of School

Today was my daughter's first day of preschool. I know, why did she start so late. Well, we signed her up in June, but the school never gave the list to YMCA. So, I called the day before school only to find out that she was not on the list. To make a long story short, I complained to a lot of people with some pull. In the end, they ended up opening up a new session and split up the initial class. So back to today. She only went for 2 1/2 hours (typical for 3 year olds). But when we were about to leave I got all teary eyed. I always envisioned this day as being a sob fest - maybe that 's the meladramatic part of me - but it was ok. Of course, she ran off as soon as we got in the room and made herself right at home. I had to beg for a kiss goodbye.

I picked her up at 2:15 and I got my very own ziti painted necklace that I adore. She loved the class and is looking forward to going again.

I'm so proud of my little honey bunny.

-Rock On!

Deborah

New Company Name

Hey Out there!

Just a little tidbit of info - well, alright some HUGE info. Baby Starlet is now officially Sugar Lamb. We are still just as fabulous as before but we have a fabulous new name to boot.

Check back soon to see our new logo. New website coming soon! www.sugarlamb.com

Rock On,

Deborah

Revenge of the Business Plan

I finished my initial business plan about a year ago, and decided to revisit it. I had very high expectations for my little company but needless to say, I didn't even come close to hitting my mark. Part of it was unrealistic sales goals, and a low budget for advertising. I tried a number of advertising ways when I first launched from google adwords to submissions to mom focused shopping blogs - did not get any sales. I have however gotten a bunch recently due to an editorial in a magazine. This is by far the best way to get your name out. It's hard as hell to get into one - unless you are paying for advertising in the magazine - but the payoff is huge.

I digress... I have signed up for a free business training course offered through a local bank and inconjunction with the Women's Business Center. I have high hopes that someone can help resurrect my business plan. I have also found a free online course too that will walk you through writing your business that's easy to understand. (Through SBA.) When I first did my business plan - I just put together numbers that made sense at the time - overhead costs as well as an advertising budget. This was all well and good, but it is useless if you don't revisit your plan on a regular basis. Later tonight I will start fleshing out my new plan with concrete numbers, research as well as goals for my business. It's a little daunting but it needs to be done. I can see Baby Starlet becoming a huge success with multiple spin off companies offering products from diaper bags to maternity as well as line of hip baby and kids clothes.

On an inspirational note, while watching the Emmy's this past Sunday, I heard Jamie Pressley's acceptance speech and loved the quote "the little engine that could". I can completely relate to this as I am as indie as it gets; a one woman show with two little kids to take care of at the same time. I know a lot of indie businesses may be in the same boat as me, but it's nice to give myself a pat on the back once in awhile. There is nothing wrong with a little pride, right? So watch out world, here I come with my ultra fabulous company complete with great business operational ideas to innovative products.

Well keep on pushing all you little engines that could.

BTW - even if you are small, it's always smart to have a plan for your company.

Rock On!

Deborah