If we are not hiding, then where have we been for the last two weeks? I have been thinking about the blog for the last two weeks with the "I've got to find something to post about" type of panic. Since this is a blog about stamping, cardmaking and creating art, we don't really think you will be very interested in the mundane stuff of our lives, (plus, I really don't want to relive the mundane stuff of my life by writing it down). But sometimes we have to take time to take care of Pink Persimmon on the business side to keep it going so we can continue to design and sell stamps, and we don't have time to do the fun creative stuff.
With that said, I have spent the last 12 weeks taking a course at my Small Business Development Center called NxLevel for Entrepreneurs. If you are thinking about starting a business, or even if are already in the middle of your start-up, this class is a must. They offer them all over the country thru the local branch of the Small Business Administration. Here's the link if you are interested: www.nxlevel.org. This is not a course for sissy's. They work you hard! 3 hour class each week, plus at least 10+ hours of reading and writing as well. The end result is a finished (but not polished) business plan that will help guide you in the right direction. The actual plan on paper is great, but what is really valuable is how they teach you to research, evaluate, and learn as you decide how you are going to build your business. You are looking at a financial newbie who was trying to understand profit & loss statements, balance sheets, break even points, return on investment and other fun money-speak. (so not as much fun as stamping!).
So the good news is that Pink Persimmon is here to stay! We are starting our business in probably the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, but many experts will tell you that this is the perfect time to start. Form a lean, efficient, and (hopefully) profitable company now, keep it that way and you can weather any storm that comes in your future. That is exactly what we plan to do.
You won't see huge growth from us over the next year, but you will see well thought-out decisions on new products that we will be adding gradually. We plan to grow slow and steady, keeping our financial ground and hopefully keeping our business open so we can continue to inspire your creativity.
So where has Judi been over the last several weeks? While I have been working on the business plan, she has been busy for months working on new designs. The perfectionist side of her won't allow a stamp set to go to manufacture without really thinking through all the uses and how we can maximize the number of stamps on the sheet. This takes time, but the results are high quality. And let me tell you, the new set of stamps are beautiful, fun, vintage, and inspiring. You are going to love them. No release date set yet, but we'll keep you posted.
And as we speak, our re-order of current designs should be on their way. Watch for a post here and from the newsletter when we have the online store fully stocked again. (Yes, that means that Little Red Wagon will be available again!).
Thank you so much for all your patience with us as we get everything figured out. And thank you if you read this entire post. Now go do some stamping!! : )
- Darcy
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