Holiday Wishes & Love from Startup Princess

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Yesterday my little 3 year old walked into the mall and spied Santa and told me confidently, “I’m going to sing him a song today.”

This is a big step for a little princess who previously trembled at the thought of saying hello, never mind sitting on his knee! Tears for 3 years until a couple of weeks ago when we had our “official visit” with Santa at the mall to take photos. What a relief that the tradition became a pleasant experience for her. But on this second trip to the mall, I was not willing to stand in line to sing Santa a song…so we waved hello from a distance.

My daughter persisted for a couple of hours with her wish to sing Santa a song and I told her we were in too big of a hurry to do it today. But then there was Santa, right in front of us, walking along with his escort…on his way back from a break and we suddenly had our chance, our little miracle. We approached Santa and asked if he wasn’t in too big of a hurry, if my daughter could sing him a song… and he replied, “Of course, I have time for a song!” We Wish You a Merry Christmas was never sung so sweetly and Christmas wishes became all the more magical that day for the both of us!

May all of your Holiday wishes come true! See you again in 2008 back on track to Make a Wish, Make it Happen for your startup business.

With love,

Kelly King Anderson, Startup Princess Founder

P.S. We will be on holiday vacation from now until January 3rd… in the meanwhile, please enjoy reading our Top 5 Most Popular Posts of the Year (according to our web analytics):

1. Exceeding Your Customer’s Expectations by Fairy Godmother Heather Ledeboer

2. 101 Things Women Entrepreneurs Wish For by Kelly King Anderson

3. How to Create a Media Kit that Gets You Publicity by Fairy Godmother Margie Zable-Fisher

4. Living the American Dream: Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder of Joni & Friends

5. Free Press Distribution Sites (with an recent update by Fairy Godmother Ponn Sabra)

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Please Sell My Products! How to Be the Perfect Supplier and Attract Quality Re-Sellers

Many, many thanks to Fairy Godmother Erika Wilde of StopDirt.com for sharing her magical wisdom yet again! Enjoy her 10 secrets to being a perfect supplier!!

As an internet reseller for eight different suppliers, I’ve had my share of good and bad experiences with suppliers. I am approached almost weekly by people who want me to sell their products on my websites. I turn many suppliers down because they did not have enough of the perfect supplier qualities.  If you are looking for resellers to sell a product that you produce, follow these ten tips to become the perfect supplier.

1. Drop Ship. You save your resellers time and money by drop shipping your product directly to their customers. Most resellers are willing to pay a nominal drop ship charge, usually $2-$5 per item. By drop shipping your product, you allow the reseller to enjoy ultimate cash flow by receiving payment from her customers before purchasing the item.

2. Offer Branding. Put your reseller’s contact information on the product. Can you offer a custom tag or sticker on the product? This leads to repeat business for your reseller.

3. Ship Blind. Do not include your contact information or the purchase price. Instead, make sure all the contact information will point customers to your reseller, not you.

4. Allow Resellers to Pay You By Credit Card. This saves accounting time and lets the reseller earn miles or rewards.

5. Ship Quickly. Make sure your product gets out the door within a couple of days. Slow shipments are the kiss of death for resellers. Immediately inform resellers about backorders or delays.

6. Ship Correctly. Send the right product to the right person.

7. Provide Internet-Ready Images. Resellers will be much more likely to add your products to their website if the reseller does not have to take her own pictures. Provide as many quality images as you possibly can.

8. Load ‘Em Up with Info. FAQ’s, tech or ingredients lists. Detailed product descriptions. Provide as much information as possible in a cut-and-paste format that makes for easy uploading to a website. Remember, your reseller needs to be able to answer all customer questions and she needs to know everything about your product. Make yourself available to answer questions and provide product updates.

9. Send Samples. It is hard for a reseller to sell something that she hasn’t actually seen. If your product is too expensive to send out for free, you can request that the products are returned to you after the reseller checks them out.

10. Don’t Compete. If you plan to sell the product yourself also, sell it at full retail so you aren’t undercutting your reseller’s profit. Feel free to set at MAP price (minimum advertised price) to protect your brand image, but make it low enough for reseller promotions and profit.

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How to Create a Meaningful Holiday Despite the Chaos

I’m feeling pretty impressed, we had our tree up and decorated by the 11th of December this year. A whole 10 days earlier than 2006. You see, we typically have a very rushed holiday season…a mixed blessing for us. My husband does 3x the monthly volume for his wholesale electronics company (no Wii’s in stock, sorry! but hurry if you want a plasma or a digital camera…still time!)

Last year not only was my husband busy, but I was swamped participating in Carolynn Duncan’s Hundred Dollar Business Experiment and sharing a kiosk with her, keeping princess-themed product stocked and it consumed all my time and energy (thankfully my mom even stayed with us for a few weeks to help me with my then-6 month-old baby and other 2 kids, plus sewing some original products for us). We were so busy with the mall and barely surviving that putting up a tree, not to mention attending any holiday events was not an option. The one day I tried to attend my son’s holiday concert I came down with a bad flu, likely from all of the lack of sleep!!

Despite the madness of keeping up with the business, I was determined to do SOMETHING to make it seem like Christmas, so on the 23rd I took a bunch of toys (from my inventory) and donated them to a Woman’s Shelter and also did a big Sub for Santa for a friend’s children in need. Even though I missed seeing Sissel (I even had a ticket!) and parties, etc. giving something to others in need made it feel like the Spirit of the Season was bright in our home.

This year things are already different…fortunately now I’m here, working on Startup Princess and not at the mall with 120hr/week holiday hours. This week will be very tough for my husband…but we do have our tree up, holiday music playing, festive parties planned this weekend and plans for a big post Christmas break to celebrate and enjoy more time together. Plus, as a family we’ve decided to continue sponsoring orphans in Bulgaria in 2008 through One Heart Bulgaria and to World Vision (my kids want to give 5 ducks to a family in need $25)…and give to a local family in need as well. It feels sooo good to give.

Today’s Magic Wand: Take a deep breath and evaluate is there something you can donate, give, or do (shovel a driveway, buy extra groceries for someone, etc.) that will bring them (and you) more Holiday Cheer?

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Do You Ever Get Frustrated by Your Startup?

I do!! Bah Humbug! I sound like Scrooge, sorry! I ask this question because I can’t be the only entrepreneur out there hitting my head against the wall trying to move to the next stage, unsure what that stage should be! Today I’m frustrated by our darn business model (revenue stream). I know we’re getting close to figuring it out so I’m trying to be positive that there’s a way I can make full-time income for myself and my partners here while serving women entrepreneurs… What’s frustrating is that it seems I can easily figure everyone else’s strategy but my own. It’s always more challenging to look within!

For the past few weeks we’ve been in research mode. Peter Tennis, our strategic advisor has us doing a lot of research and it’s been very helpful to consider the possible business structures, “non-profit”, “paid-membership organization”, “professional organization”, “franchise”… we’re going through each scenario and asking the questions so we can identify which is the best fit for us. We’re also doing branding and marketing research.

Another thing we’re doing is requesting members to participate in a survey. (I realize it’s a very busy time to ask people to participate, but if you could take a moment and help us out…here’s the survey link. Bless you!!!) The survey results tells us what our members want from our community and how we can serve them better. So far the request for more networking is high (online forum, contact me email buttons on profile pages) and also a weekly podcast has been popular. It’s great to get feedback so we know what your experience has been and what your needs and interests are.

I’m excited to evaluate our survey results, our research, and create our action plan, so we can start 2008 with a solid focus and enjoy business because we’re clear about what we want and where we’re headed.

Today’s Magic Wand: Be honest. What frustrates you about your startup? Consider an action plan so you can move ahead and start loving your startup again. What a great Christmas present to yourself!

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Startup Princess Kingdom News * December 14

Hope you’re all enjoying the Holidays!!

First of all, don’t forget to enter the business idea/plan contests ending soon…a few are over (Avon and Cookie Mag), but there’s some other fabulous ones. You still have time! We want a Startup Princess to win big $$$!

Also REMEMBER the Startup Princess Holiday Gift Guide! There’s lots of offers still available and wonderful suggestions for unique and creative gifts that support women entrepreneurs.

We’d like to invite you to hop on over to our Startup Princess survey and share your magical wisdom with us about what you want to see here in 2008. Here’s a little incentive: once you fill it out, email us and we’ll send you a coupon code for $10 off our 2007 Startup Princess Conf DVD, a 6 hr, 3 disc set! (with discount only $25). Thanks for helping us to create a great Kingdom of Women Entrepreneurs.

We’ve solidified all of our 2008 Utah County Startup Princess Networking Tea Party dates (minus the conference). If you’re local or want to PLAN to be here for any of these exciting events, we’d love to have you set your calendars so you can “Make it Happen!” January 9th will be a discussion led by myself and our new Startup Princess VP of Business Development, Leslie Smoot about the book, Getting Things Done, The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen. If you’re going to purchase it, please use our affiliate link so we can make a few cents for recommending it to you.

Please share your great news with us…How are sales going for the holidays? What are you learning? What are your great specials? What’s on your mind? Did you enter any of the recent women entrepreneur contests? How did it go? We’re cheering for you!

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Featured Interview: Wendy Bird, Gifts That Lift

The following interview was written by Jessica Cryer, Startup Princess writer:

Christmas is less than two weeks away and the pressure is on to find that perfect, meaningful gift. Wish Granted. This post provides information on how to get the most beautiful pearl jewelry at amazing prices. And what’s better than beautiful hand made jewelry? How about knowing each purchase you make helps fund a non-profit organization empowering disadvantaged Filipino mothers.

Today we’re featuring Startup Princess Wendy Bird and her company, Gifts That Lift. It began in 2002 when this mother of 5 decided to start a home-based business selling pearl jewelry. The original name of the company was My Princess Pearls and allowed her to sell at home parties and local events. She found a dependable source in the Philippines named Amara Flordeliza to supply the pearl jewelry. Within weeks of starting the business Amara informed Wendy of the horrible living conditions and dire circumstances of the women making the jewelry. Wendy realized the opportunity to help these women and wasted no time starting her non-profit organization Pearls With A Purpose.

Pearls with Purpose provides clothing, food, and educational supplies to 29 villages in the Philippines helping thousands. This mission is clear; to provide immediate relief, long term educational assistance and to teach these mothers skills to positively change their lives forever.

In 2006 Gifts That Lift became the parent company for My Princess Pearls and includes many other products. Gifts That Lift offers shoes, shirts, quilts and other products, but pearls still remain their best-seller. By keeping the cost of their product “fair and honest” they are able to move more product and in turn help more Filipino families. Each time you make a purchase you are helping these mothers, so go ahead and splurge!

Enjoy meeting Startup Princess Wendy Bird!

Hometown: California

Current Residence (City, State): Lehi, Utah

Education: 2 yr BYU, 1 yr- UofU

Professional Background (brief, please): 5 years running a 501c3 non-profit, Pearls with a Purpose Foundation, and two for-profit entities, My Princess Pearls and Gifts That Lift.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: a teacher or a truck driver, I liked to drive and travel, and I love children

What you are: a multi-tasking, brain-racking, running-on-empty, completely-hysterical 40-year old with a passion and a cause

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Began as a direct selling opportunity that turned humanitarian when living conditions were discovered in the area where the pearls were sourced. Non-profit began with the intent to help build and create self reliance through education, donations and training.

Company Website? www.myprincesspearls.com, www.giftsthatlift.net (movie) and www.pearlswithapurpose.org (foundation)

What inspired you? Humanitarian opportunity (the need) and God, and all those voices in my head…they wouldn’t shut up!! JK!! Read more

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Could You Give Away Your Most Precious Gift?

I love this post about giving by Fairy Godmother Danielle LaPorte of Carrie & Danielle. Enjoy! Carrie & Danielle’s book Style Statement will be released in Spring 2008 and I hear Oprah’s been calling.

Again, I must bow to Pema Chödrön, whom I think is one of the coolest Buddhists nuns in action. I am reminded of a wonderful, gentle exercise of hers that always rocks my sensibilities and softens my heart.- Danielle

THIS WEEK: Look at your stuff.

Step 1: Ask yourself this question: In terms of stuff and your lifestyle, what do you hold most precious? Scan your home, all that you own. Review your schedule, your hobbies, your favorite activities. What would give you acute panic to part with? What are you loath to let go of? What do you dig so deeply that the very thought of giving it away or not having it in your life makes you want to hurl? Your mother’s diamond? Your morning yoga class? Your yearly vacation?[I adore plenty of things, but for the most part, I consider most stuff … well … just stuff. No problem, I thought. My wedding ring? Yep, I could part with it. Our love is stronger than gold. Family photos? Whatever. The memories live on in my heart. My ritual bubble baths? Life would go on. I ran through it all in my mind, grooving on my Zen-ness, until I hit a jaggy snag … my car. My new zippy wheels! My freedom! My independence! My comfort and ease! I couldn’t part with her, my shiny Fitserella (yes, I named her, attached as I am). These Buddhists must be joking if they think I’m going back to a bus pass and schlepping my kid and laptop in the rain. Puhleese.]Deep breath. Regain Composure.

Step 2: Imagine giving away your Most Precious Thing. Not just doing without it yourself, but actually giving it to other people to enjoy. How do you feel? Heavy with guilt? Panicky and pissed off? Enlivened and relieved?Keep going…. Now, imagine giving away hundreds of your Most Precious Thing. Freely. With a smile. To anyone and everyone. How does that feel?Whether you experience dread or universal oneness, don’t judge yourself for it (that would be a backfire of all this good Buddhist introspection). Just notice. Simple awareness is the aim.Because, somewhere in that awareness, messy or clear, is a soft and open place from which many things can just come, and many things can just go.

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Win Money for Your Business! Contest Deadlines Approaching!

Win Money for Your Ideas/Startup/Business Contests:

Mirassou offers $50,000 contest Deadline is Dec. 15

Quickbook’s $40,000 cash/ $10,000 services contest Deadline is Dec. 15

Advanta’s Idea Blob $10,000 monthly contest giveaway (now through March 2008)

Avon is giving away $5,000 every week until April 2008 for businesses that make a difference, change lives, empower women…. Deadline is Dec 10

Cookie Magazine contest offers $35,000 to your favorite charity! Deadline is Dec. 13. To nominate a “inspiring mom” whom is making a difference for moms and children while balancing motherhood and she’ll get to give $35,000 to her favorite charity (this could be her own non-profit)

Invented in Utah deadline, win cash and services, including having a prototype produced: January 5th

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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.

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Featured Interview: Emily Hill, Co-Founder of Georgie Tees

The following interview was written by new Startup Princess writer, Jessica Cryer

Today’s featured Startup Princess is Emily Hill Co-Founder of Georgie Tees. Emily and her best friend Le Shan always wanted to start a business together…that dream became a reality in June 2005 with a fun, upbeat infant and maternity apparel company. The company is geared to providing humor during pregnancy and motherhood by adding witty comments to their fashionable tees. Think about baby onsies with “I Scream” or maternity tees with “No longer childproof.” While fashion is important to Emily, so is comfort. That’s why all their tees are tagless and made from the softest cotton, says Emily. Emily credits motherhood with the inspiration for her humorous tees.

The Georgie Tee website also offers a link to their blog which features everything from fashion to recipes and information on other ‘mompreneurs.’ It’s an opportunity to get an inside look at the women behind the humorous tees for mom and baby. The humor isn’t just about the business… it’s survival for this busy mother of 4. Great outlook, Emily! Thanks for making us laugh!

Enjoy meeting Startup Princess, Emily Hill!

Hometown: Fremont, California

Current Residence (City, State): Sandy, Utah

Education: B.S. in Business from Brigham Young University

Professional Background (brief, please): Office Manager, Project Manager, Communications Director, Business Owner (current)

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An elementary school teacher, and my name was going to be Miss Nancy (perhaps that came from the old Romper Room show)

What you are: Co-owner of georgie tees (unofficial school teacher, nurse, peace officer, disciplinarian, chef, maid, crisis manager, and all the other “professions” that go along with being a mom)

Company Website? http://www.georgietees.com/

What inspired you? My girlfriend and I wanted to have our own business, do our own thing. The idea came to me, of all places, in the middle of a rather long church meeting. Having kids of our own it was easy to come up with the humorous phrases you’ll find on our tees. Motherhood continues to inspire us. Read more

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