Wish Granted: Startup Princess Holiday Gift Guide Offers Extended!

Startup Princesses on our email list received their Holiday Gift Guides last week (did you receive yours? Do you want to be on our list?)…now we’re bringing the specials to our web audience to take advantage of all the great discounts and offers! Lucky you!

Quick disclaimer, Startup Princess offers this Holiday Gift Guide out of genuine love and support, without compensation on our end. Many thanks to the members who responded to our online request to participate. Please note some offers expire by 12/09/07, (several offers are for the whole month of December). We hope you enjoy your treasure hunt with our brilliant and creative women entrepreneurs!

REMEMBER to get your Startup Princess Conference 2007 DVD set (3-discs) featuring 14 women entrepreneurs in breakout sessions on a range of topics from “How to Distribute your Product” to “How to Build a Management Team;” 6 hours of solid business strategy, inspiration, and resources! Free shipping (through 12/31/07). Click here for more info and to purchase: http://tinyurl.com/2y68jh

Gifts for Your Business:

Free Advertising
Shanda Bauman of www.Parentswithstyle.blogspot.com will offer 2 free months of advertising (Link and Button) with any product submission in Dec 2007. So you get a review, link and button added to our website for 2 months. Contact Shanda via her website and mention Startup Princess

Branding/Marketing
Liz Pabon, The Branding Maven created “Royal Pricing” especially for Startup Princesses. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/yrff92

Consulting
Heather Allard, http://www.TheMogulMom.com offers a holiday discount deal with a 25% off mentoring discount code (SUP25)

Marketing Webinars
Laura Posey offers webinars: “Would you like to know the five biggest mistakes business owners make in sales (and how to avoid them)?” For a limited time, Dancing Elephants is offering a special price of $54 for THREE webinars – yes, three $27 webinars for the price of two! Here’s a link to the special offer: http://www.dancingelephants.net/seminars/richmond/

Joyful Business Tools
Laura West, of http://www.centerforjoyfulbusiness.com offers 20% off any purchase of over $19.50 of her products http://www.joyfulbusiness.com/products.html, until Dec.31. Coupon code JB1207

Free Job Posting
Shannon Davis of http://www.beyondmotherhood.com offers free job posting for employers reference “Startup Princess” – a $75 value.

Promotional Products
Heidi Brady http://www.dazzlepromo.com offers Startup Princesses a 20% discount off of any promotional products ordered in December 2007

Holiday:
Cards
Corey Olauson of http://www.kingscrossgreetingcards.com offers several discounts through the month of December: code: makeawish for any new customer for 20% off of their first purchase of any amount (1x use); code: makeithappen for any returning customer for 5% off of any purchase amount; code: 1boxset for box set pricing on 20 cards of their choosing; code: merrychristmas for 60% off of any purchase over $100

General Gifts:
Book
Rachelle Knight of http://www.bibliopages.com offers 15% off her new book, Read, Remember, Recommend, code: startup

Décor
Jamie Lentzer of Jamie’s Painting and Design featuring personalized ceramic tiles, http://www.jamiespnd.com offers 25% off – the order has to be emailed to ordersjpd@sbcglobal.net with 5YRDISCOUNT in the subject line. Good through end of the year!

Gifts for Her:
Apparel
Lori Harris of http://www.maryjanesshoes.com in Park City, Utah offers 10% off online or in store (mention Startup Princess and Lori Harris).

Kate Matteson of Blush, http://www.toplessundershirt.com offers one free Blush top with the order of two at regular price code: startupprincess_holiday, offer good until Dec. 31

Abby Miller of http://www.beforekids.com offers $1.95 shipping, good until Dec. 31

Jewelry
Jamie Dadant of http://www.circleofsentiments.com offers 20% off her beautiful custom hand-stamped jewelry, code: grand_open

Jenifer Scabes of http://www.inthepinkdesigns.com offers 20% off entire custom order, contact her for the discount

Wendy Bird, of http://www.myprincesspearls.com Purchase any item in the store and receive 2nd item of equal or lower pricing at 50% off. Offer good in-store only 380 East Main St. Lehi, Utah, just off exit 279. Includes all genuine pearl jewelry, hand made skirts and shoes! Browse at to see the selections available.

Hand-Painted Gifts
Laurie Tester of http://www.luluanddaisy.com offers free shipping through December with voucher code StartUpPrincess. Note: Shipping will be removed from total before the card is charged.

Free Custom Personal Stationary
Free 25 card set with purchase of any other item at Kami Ohmer’s Giving Tree Loft, http://gtlarchive.blogspot.com/ email Kami for details.

Planning Software
Sarah Kimmel of http://www.dailyhomeplanner.com offers $10 off with code STUPRCS

Inspirational Books
Karen of http://www.karenwpool.com offers Free Shipping, to receive offer please email Karen

Inspirational Seminar CDs
Cherie Burton of http://www.bluerosecommunications.com recently held a 2-day women’s conference, she’s offering 40% off the Emergence CD set ($42 instead of $69). Contact Cherie

Snowboards
Jen Davidson, of http://www.snodaisy.com offers a SnoDazzle snowboard for $50 off! Shoppers should enter coupon code SANTA at checkout to receive a $50 discount. Our boards are eco-chic and glamorous!

Diaper Bag/Laptop Case
Jan offers 20% off diaper bag that doubles as a laptop bag, http://www.okkatots.com/html/shoulderbag.htm, please email her to get the discount

Gifts for Children:

For Moms and Babies
Heather Ledeboer offers 10% off the entire order http://www.mom4life.com/?code=startupprincess including free shipping, with additional Christmas offers here: http://www.mom4life.com/pages/ChristmasSpecial.php

Jamie Bird of http://www.MiniMeBabyGear.com offers 15% off for the holidays using code HOLIDAYS during checkout. As always, she offers free gift-wrapping and note card service.

Amee Janus of http://www.melinaj.com offers 15% off entire purchase code: Give15

Jewelry for moms and babies
Debbie Savage of http://www.babyemiljewelry.com offers 10% off of the total order, code VIP10

Apparel
Amber Schaub of http://www.RuffleButts.com offers 10% off entire order with code RB_friend

Shanda Bauman of http://www.Lemon-Kisses.com offers 20% off entire order code: Startup Princess

Melissa DeMordaunt of http://www.Snugabugbaby.com offers 15% off entire purchase code: SUP through Dec. 11

Toys
Jennic Law of http://www.kangarooboo.com offers 10% off entire purchase (no minimum required). Code SUP10N. For orders of $75 or more, UPS ground shipping is FREE. Offer good until December 18.

Décor
Shelly Kennedy of http://www.drooz.com specializing in personalized hand-painted wall hangings and more offers free gift wrapping on product purchased through her site, code: wrapit!

Sarah Jane of http://www.sarahjanestudios.com offers 2 for 1 prints, code: offers 2 for 1 of her prints at the time of purchase, type “STARTUP PRINCESS” in the “message to seller” box

Sign Language Flash Cards
Nancy Cadjan of http://www.signbabies.com Save $15 on All Six Sign Babies ASL Flash Card Sets Plus Free Shipping. Use the coupon FREESHIP to get this doubly great deal!.

Infant Blankets
Jami Kent of http://www.bbsleepsolutions.com is offering 20% discount on one of their Burrito Baby blankets

Baby Carriers
Michal Chesal offers free embroidery/personalization on a Baby K’Tan Baby Carrier (through 12/31/07) http://www.babyktan.com/babycarriers.html – choose Personalization option at checkout. Write “HOLIDAY OFFER” in the comments box and you will NOT be charged for embroidery. The $9.99 discount will appear on your actual invoice.

Pillows
Jennifer of http://www.mypillowpets.com offers $5 off if you call in your order.

Update: 10 Hour Work Week Still Working for Me

Since a few people have asked me…yes, I’m still doing the 10 hour work week and loving it. Besides Blogworld in Vegas for a day, I’ve been pretty good about sticking to my goal. I appreciate (so does my family) the daily challenge of increasing my productivity and maximizing my time.

Yes, I was on vacation last week and so the temptation to work was lower, but that normally would not have stopped me from working…I would have usually still put in a couple hours a day before/after Disneyland (and yes, I WAS tempted, however, I was good, I checked email fast and got off). I have to admit that it was a very nice 5 days. But there was a consequence because I didn’t know about the trip until the last minute and didn’t have pre-scheduled posts ready, our site wasn’t thriving here, I’m afraid and RSS traffic decreased slightly. However, what DID work well was the Startup Princess team back here in Utah. Leslie Smoot, our new VP of Business Development was in charge of the Startup Princess event and Laurie Ann Thomas our admin support at the UVSC SBDC ran the show while I was gone and I literally got back at 2 am and showed up to the event at 10 am…it was a beautiful thing!! Having a team is essential!!
I spent my 10 hours last week at Startup Princess Networking Tea Party 2 hours, Editing our conference DVD for 4 hours (nearly done!), daily emails, updating finances, planning and strategizing for Startup Princess 2008.

Today’s Magic Wand: When you go on vacation, really GO on vacation…don’t check your email more than 1x a day and I challenge you to take Thanksgiving completely off!

Featured Interview: Meet Startup Princess Shelly Kennedy of Drooz Studio

Ever since I began my entrepreneur journey I’ve wanted to meet Shelly Kennedy in person. I have admired her as both an artist and as a true entrepreneur for how she has grown her company with immense vision. She has taken her ideas and translated them into many types of products and now is having her work manufactured on many levels. Her work has been featured in every major media channel and celebrated many times over!

I’d love to be a butterfly on her studio wall (she’d never allow an average housefly) and just watch the process. Wouldn’t you?? When I was going to launch Princess Sweet (see the video pitch there if you’ve missed previous posts about it) she was at the top of my list for vendors. I wanted her designs to surround my stores as a statement of ‘the royalty within’ and fill the families who visited us with a sense of creativity and joy for her work. I’ve always thought that Shelly should have named her company “Drool” instead of “Drooz” because that is what I do every time I see her work!! How do people EVER choose which wallhanging to purchase? After narrowing down my wishlist, someday I’m going to order this one for my kitchen and this one for my playroom but I might change my mind tomorrow. Which one would you choose? Perhaps I should have half a dozen and just rotate them. But mostly I just really want one of these Tiny Tiaras for each one of you, Startup Princesses!It is my absolute pleasure to welcome Shelly Kennedy as a Startup Princess.

I am thrilled and honored to know her and bring this interview to you. Her profile page will probably be read thousands of times, as I’m sure you all want to get into her brilliant head as well.Enjoy reading Shelly’s profile:Hometown: Skaneateles, NY

Current Residence (City, State): I currently live in my hometown of Skaneateles NY, a small town at the end of Skaneateles Lake – one of CNY’s beautiful Finger Lakes. I am lucky to live near my parents – all of my family actually! After college I lived in Chicago for 10 years (my Husband’s hometown) – as the kids were reaching school age we thought it might be nice to live “the small town life.”

Education: I attended R.I.T in Rochester New York, (Rochester Institute of Technology) I began working on a Fine Arts degree in Illustration. I changed majors in my 2nd year to marketing – I guess realizing that I would someday want to have my own business. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in 1993. I think it was a good move – it is very important for creative people to have a good grasp of business as well.

Professional Background (brief, please): Oh… I’ve done lots of stuff!I have to say that I have been very lucky to always combine my love for art and business in each job that I’ve had. Right out of college I worked in Chicago at the Merchandise Mart for a few years as an independent sales rep. It was great experience – and I learned many things that have helped me be at the other end of the biz as a wholesaler today. I then worked as a Director of Merchandise for a small chain of gift stores in Chicago for a brief time. Then I went back to working sales at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago– this time working in the contract interior design section. I worked with fabric, furniture, wallpaper, and office planning – consulting with designers and architects that were planning new spaces. I left that job in 1998 – just before my daughter was born… drooz was started later that year.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: an artist!

What you are: an artist!

Brief Summary of your Startup: It was the answer to a decorating dilemma! The perfect alternative to a traditional wall mural. In 1998 when my husband and I were waiting the arrival or our first baby we were inspired to create a magical mural for the nursery. However, living in Chicago’s hip Wicker Park, we found ourselves unable to paint the nursery walls our rented flat. Instead, we chose a large canvas, painted a whimsical design and hung in our daughter’s room – this was the first of many inspired ideas!

Company Website? www.drooz.com & www.tinytiara.com

What inspired you? It sounds cliché – but I was filling a need. I thought “hummmm – I can’t be the only mom who might like this idea “… I looked and looked… but could find nothing like our large scale original art or “movable murals” for sale – the “internet boutique” was just about to happen – and there were maybe 4 or 5 online baby boutiques (ahh .. those were the days!) so I decided to start selling them locally in the city of Chicago at a wonderful baby store. I could not make then fast enough! The retailers loved the quality and the custom capabilities.

How long have you been in business? 10 years

How did you fund it? We made it happen with slow growth along with creative friends and family! Self-funded with baby steps.. The big expenses out of the gate were a website, photography, & sales materials.I am blessed with a “designer” husband. When we very first started my husband designed our website…he still today helps with the website, and does all the catalog and promo layouts.The first catalog we shot at our house in our kid’s room. We have a close friend that is a photographer, he came over after work– we put the kids to sleep – and then we moved them to the couch so we could “use” their rooms! – it took hours to prep, light, and “merchandise” the shots! But we did it!

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? No..

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No! I’d like to…but seems to be at the bottom of my “if I have extra time” list.

Current Business Challenge? Copyright Violations of our designs and products. Unfortunately, the more popular and successful we become…the harder it is to control this. The whole copyright violation thing is tricky (what percent is same?..what percent is different?…) but come ON! We all have eyes! It is just as easy as what is wrong verse right. It is a matter of trying to replicate the look, feel, and soul of a design. That is not done by accident or ignorance.

What are you doing about it? Trying to stay positive, creative and NOT take it personally (although I DO!) Continuing to work hard on new designs and try to stay ahead of the game… and “competition”.Getting the word out… discussing with other artists.

Favorite motivational quote:“Fortune favors the brave”

Family? Yes, married with 2 elementary-aged children.

If so, how do you balance family and business?Still working on this one!I have great support from my mom and dad – they help with the kids a lot. My husband is very forgiving if there are no dinner plans, or clean socks. Really the kids are most important – and with this career I am able to have the flexibility to be there when they need me – school events, sick days, soccer practice, music lessons, doctor’s appointments etc… Sometimes it means that I work late from home answering emails that I didn’t get to all day – Sometimes it means going to work when the rest of the family is catching a movie – it is all a trade off.

Favorite book?whatever I’m reading at the moment… currently …“eat,pray,love” by Elizabeth Gilbert, And“the girl’s guide to being a boss (without being a bitch)” by Caitlin Friedman & Kimberly Yorio

What do you do to relax? Relax? What’s that? ☺Have a glass of wine and chat on the couch with my husband… once the kids are asleep, of course!

What do you want to change most about your world?MY world …. Or THE world!For my world…(as in the kids industry) I wish there was more honesty and camaraderie. Sometimes it seems so personally competitive and just down right sneaky! I’ve been burned a few times – so I guess I’m pretty sensitive to this subject! I do have a handful of “industry friends” that I know I can count on for advice, ideas, support, etc… that is nice!

What are you most proud of? My kids.. I know it is cliché – but it is so true!When ever someone tells me “you have really great kids”…It is like 100x better that any compliment I could receive about myself!

What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses? 2 things.1.Honesty is the best policy.2.Listen to your “gut’ feelings.Gut emotion is good… and usually where you’ll end back up even after much deliberation!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?Email! Keeps me connected to family and friends and allows me to keep up with work communications with at any hour (usually ALL hours!)

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Well… I’m lucky enough to say .. I HAVE designed a tiara! Mine is made of blown glass… but If I were to design one of precious stones.. I would like to see one completely embedded with all stones – just random… like it was dipped in glue and rolled around…diamonds to pond pebbles.

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