Now Accepting Applications for our 2012 Fairy Godmothers!
November 1, 2011
Meet Erin Condren – Founder of Erin Condren Design
May 5, 2011
Erin Condren is a clever entrepreneur who oozes creativity from her product line to her branding. I can tell she has a love affair with colors and colors make me giddy and inspired. I also love her answer to the question about what she’d like to change most about the world! Meet Erin online by reading more here:
name: erin condren
education: ba from ucla
professional background: started in swimwear sales out of college, but was more interested in design/production. i worked with my brother’s company, manufacturing collections for nike, adidas and more from our l.a. sewing facility. started my own collection in 2001 that we collaborated on with “michael stars,” but then closed our business after 9/11. started printed personalized stationery and stickers from my home, the rest is history!
what you wanted to be when you grew up: i always knew i wanted to be a mom, but also had an entreprenuerial spirit from a young age.
i created and sold jewelry in college, dabbled in pottery creations after college…i knew i wanted a career with a creative outlet.
what you are: managing partner and creative director of ericondren.com (online personalized paper & gifts!)
brief summary of your start up: started my business from home, but the nature of paper products is so viral! with a web address on the back of each product shipped, the “word” spread like wildfire! i merged with a fine art printing company in 2007 and i felt like a kid in a candy shop. with state of the art machinery, i was able to unleash all my creativity and manufacture top of the line paper products and more.
where you are located: we are moving to our fab new space in hawthorne in may, 37k square feet! wow!
company website: www.erincondren.com
what inspired you? my children. i knew i wanted to have a career that gave me the freedom to also be at home with my kids.
how long have you been in business? since 2005
how did you fund it? credit cards and home equity! yikes, a gamble that has paid off
do you have a fairy godmother (or mentor)? yes, most definitely my business partner, al marco. he was a friend and “business coach” when my home business took off, i am blessed to now call him my partner.
do you belong to any business organization or networking groups? i am on linkedin, fan page on facebook and love to tweet! also a member of “step up” women’s network.
current business challenge? managing growing pains! thankfully i have an incredible support team and partner that steer this rollercoaster ride so I can be creative.
what are you doing about it? consult with my partner daily, open communication is key.
favorite motivational quote: i wish i knew henry david thoreau: “go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you’ve imagined.”
family? yes! the most amazing supportive family! husband of almost 13 years, boy/girl twins that are 10. my parents and siblings live close by and are a huge support system to me everyday.
if so, how do you balance family and business? a constant juggling act, but easier each day. my husband is also self employed so we text/email/call each other constantly to cover “shifts” with our kids. working in an office gives me focus and balance, so the time with my family is truly cherished and never taken for granted.
favorite book? “ya ya sisterhood” & “the middle place”
what do you do to relax? drink wine and entertain! my husband and i love to entertain, and while some find it stressful, we are so fulfilled and charged by our time with family and friends.
what do you want to change most about your world? the clock. it’s hard to believe my kids are nearly 10. they’ll be off to college in no time, someone stop the clock! i am so blessed to have two amazing, healthy kids. i truly think i cherish my time with my kids more than most since so much of my time is occupied with work. i hate to put them to bed, can’t wait for them to crawl in with us in the morn…
what are you most proud of? besides my children, definitely my business. it’s hard to believe this all start with a hp
“photosmart” desktop printer in my “toolshed.” that’s what i called the space i used to work in, a room off our garage that was for storage. i’ve worked hard to get where i am today, and i don’t stop to applaud myself often enough. the workload has changed, but i work just as hard today as i did when it all started. i am so proud of the decisions and choices i have made to get me where i am.
what advice would you like to offer other start up princesses? be prepared to work hard, not much sleep! as my partner once told me, “anyone can be an entrepreneur…it is the jump to becoming a successful business person that will set you apart.” i work hard each day to meet my goals. i make sacrifices in my personal life all the time, but i love what i do and will continue to give my business 110%.
favorite magic wand (tool/resource)? internet! i can search for trends, shop for inspiration, find color combinations from across the world without ever leaving my ofiice or home. i try to travel as little as possible, the internet allows me to do this.
if you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? oooooh la la! i’d have to go with stones of blue (my birthstone), yellow (my hubby) and rubies for my july twins!
did i leave something out you would like me to know about yourself or your business? i was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a couple years ago…it has been an excructing struggle to find the right meds to halt the disease and manage my pain. i feel the best i’ve felt in years, hopefully i have found the right combo treatment for me. my career and busy lifestyle has distracted me from the pain, somedays are really unbearable, but loving my job has kept me positive and focused on all the blessings in my life. (no time to lay in bed and mope!)
Learn more about Touchpoint Orange County by going here.
Apology Not Accepted
August 3, 2009
Do you ever find yourself saying any of these phrases?
• “I’m sorry, but I think…”
• “I’m sorry you have to do this, but…”
• “I’m sorry to bother you with…”
• “I’m sorry, this might not be exactly what you wanted…”
It’s a fact that women apologize more frequently than men. Many times we do it just to be polite. But is it diminishing our credibility? Our power? Yes. Read more
Learn from Maria Andros “Video Marketing Queen” and TOP Marketing Experts April 17-18! Register 2 for $400 for Startup Princess Academy, Disneyland
April 6, 2009
There’s still time to Register for April 17-18th Startup Princess Academy, “Marketing to Women Online” at Disneyland. We’re offering registration for just $225 or 2 for $400 NOW through April 10. Top Experts, Ciaran Blumenfeld, Maria Andros, Alexis Neely, and more will be at the event to teach you their marketing strategies for how to create an effective online campaign to reach female consumers more effectively. Here’s the AGENDA
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Startup Princess Amber Passey, Because Babies Grow Up attended the November Startup Princess Academy and shares her experience.
Don’t Miss Out on this exciting opportunity to learn, connect with other women entrepreneurs, and share ideas of your own! We have attendees registered from Canada, Chicago, Utah, and California. Disneyland discounts are available for just $38 for Twilight 4pm-Midnight tickets! Other options available. Bring your friends or your family and make it a weekend!
Use 15 Minutes Every Day to Grow Your Business
February 3, 2009
Fairy Godmother Erika Wilde of highly successful drop-shipping floormat business (featured in Real Simple last year!) Stop Dirt, writes: As a kind-of early New Years resolution to myself, I started last fall to dedicate 15 minutes a day to “pro-active” work on my business.
I spend hours every day taking care of the business “must do’s” that are time sensitive. With the demands of kids, church and the lure of my other hobbies, I found myself working only “in the business” and not working “on the business.” I was not spending enough time proactively growing my business.
So I committed myself to 15 minutes a day, dedicated solely to proactive work on my business. Not re-active work like answering emails, processing orders, or making price quotes. But proactive work on new projects that will expanding my existing business.
Many days my 15 minutes turn into an hour. But other days, when my patience and energy is thin, I tell myself, “It’s only 15 minutes.”
Here’s how I’ve made it work:
1. Throw every plan, task, dream or scheme into a master list. And I mean everything. If an idea pops into your mind, add it to the list.
2. Break each item on the master list into manageable 15 minutes jobs.
3. Each day, pull up your list and choose a project.
4. Let a larger task remain unfinished. There is always 15 minutes tomorrow.
5. Don’t go to sleep until the 15 minutes are done.
Here is an example pro-active tasks I’ve done on 15 minutes a day:
1. Research one competitor’s web site and product line.
2. Make one extra phone call.
3. Look at the day’s web analytics and compare to the previous week.
4. Write one more “FAQ” or short article for my website.
5. Update or “freshen up” one page on my website.
6. Edit one photograph to make it work better online.
7. Email one supplier with a quick thank you note.
8. Solicit a couple of repeat customers for product reviews.
9. Search online for one related product to add to my line.
10. Start work on a press release.
11. Add internal web links on keywords in one article.
Then there are the really big items on my to-do list like, “Make new color chart for Classic Carpet mats” and “Re-build Grand Impressions logo mat page,” which will take at least an hour. So I tackle that project on a night when I have more than 15 minutes to devote.
It’s been amazing what a big dent I’ve made in my very, very long to-do list with only 15 minutes a day. With just 15 minutes a day, I find myself being more inventive, more motivated and more receptive to flashes of business inspiration.
Identify What You “Avoid” in Business and Get Over It Now for 2009
January 5, 2009
The other day a business client said to me, “Why don’t I just do this stuff? I know how to do it. I know it needs to be done, but I don’t do it.”
Fairy Godmother Casey Dawes of Wise Woman Shining and author of this article asks..
What’s it?
It is the big rocks in your business that we avoid. It’s working in our business and not on it. It’s lack of planning, lack of reviewing, lack of analysis. Why don’t we do it?
For many of us, it’s fear. What if I stop long enough to plan? Won’t my business get away from me? Won’t my clients/customers leave because they see I’m not paying attention? If I don’t get to that networking meeting, people will forget me and then I won’t get a new client. We’re like the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, always rushing around saying we are late.
From the time I took my first job at an A & P supermarket in New Jersey, I’ve been told to “look busy” even if there was nothing to do. In the corporate world, sitting around with your feet on the desk thinking just wasn’t done (except by the big boys), particularly for a woman. And I carry that attitude into my own business most of the time. If I’m not sitting at the computer typing, then I’m not really working, am I?
Can you relate to this? Are you scurrying around and panicking when there’s nothing “TO Do,” even though your to do list is long.
If this is a slow season for you, seize the opportunity! If it’s a crazy season for you, plan for a few weeks once the holiday rush is over. What should you do?
Business Plan: If you don’t have a business plan, make one. Check your actual income and expenses against an old one and update it.
Marketing Plan and Budget: Plan out what you will spend your marketing plan and budget on in the coming year. Also determine how you will learn about the effectiveness of your marketing.
Contact Management: Figure out how to manage the contacts you do make at networking meetings, and how to follow up with clients and customers you do have in order to retain them.
Finances: Get with a financial consultant and learn the reports you need to review on a regular basis to see how your business is doing.
Read: Read a business book or two. Take a class. Learn something new, even if its a new way to make meat loaf!
Tell us, what do you “avoid”and how do you intend to get into action mode?
Casey Dawes of Wise Woman Shining supports women business owners to claim their power, increase their prosperity and have the lifestyle they want. She’s had multiple careers from being a stage-hand at an Actor’s Equity theatre in New England to running an international multi-million dollar software users group. Currently she’s a business consultant/coach working out of her home in Aptos, California.
Awesome Prize Package for Elevator Pitch Competition! Epson Printer, $1000 in Mentoring, and Marketing Retreat Ticket!
September 6, 2008
A lot of Startup Princesses often ask me how to get funding for their startups. No matter if you are going to pitch your idea to your spouse, the bank, a relative, or an angel investor… you need a really good 2 minute “Elevator Pitch”…you need to CONVINCE them that your idea will work, that it will be profitable, and that you’re just the right person to execute the idea. So, here’s your chance to practice!!
We’re having a competition!! With AWESOME PRIZES!
Our September 26th annual event, Touchpoint will feature our FIRST Elevator Pitch Competition. This will be an incredible opportunity to receive mentoring, feedback, and refine your presentation skills…and WIN some great prizes too, valued at over $2000!
Here’s how it will work: Five finalists will be selected (you apply by uploading a 1 page pitch document when you register for Touchpoint). These five finalists will compete with a 2 minute “pitch” in front of a panel of top entrepreneurs and mentors, plus the conference attendees will also be able to vote their pick.
Once the Five Finalists are selected they will receive one-on-one mentoring before the competition courtesy of Brock Blake, CEO/Founder of Funding Universe (who hosts regular pitching events for investors), then they will compete at the competition (3pm) in front of the conference attendees and a panel of judges. They will be scored on delivery, potential success of their product/service, ability to execute, and overall passion for their business.
The winner of the competition will receive:
$1000 prize package of in kind services and mentoring from Funding Universe!
A Complimentary Ticket to The Startup Princess November 7-8 Retreat in Park City, The Magic of Marketing to Women Online with speakers Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom and co-founder of Kirtsy and Holly Buchanan, The Soccer Mom Myth Co-Author, and Janet Meiners, Internet Marketing Expert
Epson Printer, valued at $300 with $100 in ink!
plus, more prizes and giveaways to be announced soon!
Deadline to compete will be Sept 20. Register here.
Becoming Sincerely Happy for Someone Else
June 9, 2008
Have you ever competed for something you really wanted to win? Over the years I’ve competed for many things when there was a clear “winner” such as business plan competitions, elections, sports, media opportunities, Read more
How to Sell Your Product in Target Stores
October 23, 2007
I love Target, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be amazing to sell to them? If you have the resources to produce 9,000+ units, then you should consider it! Fairy Godmother, Margie Zable Fisher of Zable Fisher PR writes the following article about how to get your foot in the door with Target. She writes:
Can I share a secret with you?
It’s not all that hard to get Target interested in selling your products. Why would you want to sell to Target? Well, each of 
the 1,500 Target stores usually orders at least a half dozen products from each vendor — that’s at least 9,000 sales right out of the gate! Sounds like a pretty good reason, right? Plus, Target is the place to sell any high design products “Tar-jay”, as it is sometimes called, has a certain cache.
So how can you get a Target buyer interested in your product? Here are some ways that a Target buyer I spoke with finds new products:
1. Attending trade shows. Do you skip exhibiting at trade shows because you think they’re a waste of time and money? Think again. Many Target buyers find new products at trade shows. It’s a great way for the buyers to see many products at one time.
2. Publicity. For product companies, publicity provides a double-win: not only do you attract consumers willing to buy your product, but you also attract the attention of retailers who might want to sell your product. My Target buyer source tells me that reading about a great new product in a magazine or newspaper, seeing it on a TV show, or reading a favorable review about a new product online is a great way to get her attention.
3. Sales Reps. Large retailers like Target often work with professional sales companies that show them products that would work for them. All these sales companies do is sell to large retailers, so they have access to many buyers.
But there’s a LOT more to it…
What criteria does Target look for in a product?
What financials do you need to know before approaching Target?
Will you manufacture or license your product?
When can you expect to be paid by Target?
How long is the process?
WHERE do you start?
To learn MY step-by-step formula for getting your products on the shelves of Target and skyrocketing your sales, see my Special Report, “How to Get Your Product on the Shelves at Target, available here: http://zfpr.com/target.htm.
Margie Zable Fisher is president of Zable Fisher Public Relations, the leader in small business public relations. She publishes the ˜PRactical P.R.’ weekly ezine with thousands of subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start your business through low-cost and free public relations and publicity techniques, get your FREE tips now at http://www.zfpr.com.
Now it’s your turn: I want to know if any of you have already tried to get a product into Target, what was your experience?? How did you get your product noticed? What recommendations do YOU have for other Startup Princesses who want to sell to Target?
