Friday, June 27, 2008

Networking

I went to my first PMI (Portland Mamas Inc - name changing to Mamapreneurs Inc) meeting Wednesday night. I had a great time and met some wonderful people, including the woman who started PMI...um...MPI (?), Marlynn (@designmama for all you twitter fans). Got great info about trade shows and really got me thinking. 

Speaking of Twitter...So this is how my networking story started. I joined a message board called mompreneurs. My original intent was to get some information and helpful links to put on my website. I met some great people there who helped me out a lot. And I discovered a monthly conference call they have to address business related questions/concerns. I "attended" the last call and took tons of notes. One of the networking tools they mentioned was Twitter. 
Through Twitter, I met Marlynn and then Lauren and so many other wonderful people. Come to find out that Lauren and my product rep, Thea, are good friends. The more I network, the more connections are made, and yet I discover that it is a small world indeed. 
So my best advice to you who want to get started or grow in any kind of business is to find local and online groups in which to network. It's a lot easier than you would think. And all the other Mom/Mamapreneurs are just wonderful!

Friday, June 20, 2008

A new name deserves a new tagline

We took a survey and the winning tagline for Dapper Snappers is: "Fix Droopy Drawers in a Snap!"


It's great because it says exactly what it does. It's just perfect! Now on to redesigning the Cinchie packaging with the new name and tagline. I already sent in the order for the redesigned labels, but the supplier has to get back to me on feasibility. The new label will be a loop label with more information but shorter so it stays out of the way of the snaps. Not sure why I didn't think of that to begin with...

I'm still sending out orders with Cinchie info until we can get the new stuff. I just put on the packing slips that we've changed the name. Same great product, different name. Pretty cool though that I've sold 3 in 3 days. Business is picking up. Seems like small fries, but it's better that what we had before...nada... Once word gets out I'm gonna be very very very busy!

On the Mama side of the Mama-preneur, I must say that my little babies are doing very well with playing outside while I am in the garage working...and keeping a watchful eye... As soon as DapperSnappers takes off, I am going to make use of my summer babysitter to keep them busy and in line a couple days a week while I work. Won't that be nice?! Even so, Jacob (the 3 yr old) wants to "help mama" every time I go to work in the garage. I have him hand me business cards and put samples in the bin. Very repetitive stuff, but he loves it. What laws about child labor??? I never heard of any...LOL. 

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

A new name...a new logo...



What do you think?

Bring on the Dapper Snapper!

I am so excited to announce that we have changed the Cinchie name to Dapper Snappers! And really not a moment too soon. I have been a busy little bee and doing tons of social networking. I just heard about Twitter today and I am fully twitterpated now. 

I'm finishing my glass of wine while watching Jay and looking at website templates for the new DapperSnappers.com website. 

Dapper Snappers "A fashionable fit for where you sit"