Friday, March 13, 2009

Taking a step back

One of the great things about owning my own company is that I can move at my own pace.  I know that if things have to get done, I am the one responsible for making sure it happens. However, sometimes being 'the only' one can work against me.  You know, it's like looking through a magnifying glass.  You can hyper-focus on something so much that it looks one way to you...but when you back the glass up to take another look..things appear a lot differently. Applying that same logic to my business, I've found that it's best to bounce my ideas off SEVERAL people, to make sure I get clear picture on a pending project or proposal.  I prefer to get that diverse feedback from people I know won't always agree with me.  I believe that things you may WANT to hear from others may not always be the things you NEED to hear. 

So if you are like me or other entrepreneurs I know, take a step back if you find yourself struggling to make progress in a particular area.  Who knows where it may lead you. Taking a step back is not always a bad thing.  Especially if it takes you closer to your goals.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Barbie Doll turns 50

2009 is turning into an interesting year, full of milestones. One of these milestones is The Barbie Doll will be 50 years old. Ken, Barbie’s long term boyfriend is only 48. Who knew that Barbie liked younger guys?
Actually Barbie and Ken were named after the children of Mattel founder Ruth Handler.
When Ruth and her husband introduced Barbie at the International Toy Show in 1959, toy stores were not excited. Consumers loved Barbie and as they say, the rest is history.

Ruth was 42 when she introduced this controversial doll, a doll with breasts. Another first for Mattel, with Ruth at the helm, was to buy 52 weeks, 1 year of advertising on the TV show, the Mickey Mouse Club. One year of advertising toys directly to the demographic who could not buy them but could make their wishes known had not been done before. TV itself was in its infancy, but Ruth and her husband Elliot saw the potential. They were right again.

Ruth Handler who died in 2002 at age 85 was an admirable business woman. She combined business, Motherhood and being a wife in a time when women were not encouraged to work outside of their homes. What genius to name her doll toys after her children. What PR savvy to partner with her husband but confident enough to be the spokesperson for their toy company. At age 51 Ruth introduced Hot Wheels. This toy’s success rivaled Barbie’s for boys. Menopause in the work place didn’t stop Ruth Handler from success, nor does it appear to stop her creation, the Barbie Doll.

This doll could be called ‘Hot Flash Barbie’ or ‘Menopause Barbie at age 50. Looking at her founder, I think Barbie has a great future ahead of her. She looks great for 50. Fashion designers have clamored to design her clothes. Barbie sports gowns from Dior and Bob Mackie. Now the cosmetic company Stila launched a collection based on Barbie. Mattel, which the Handler family sold in the 70’s, had a bad fourth quarter for 2008. Can the Golden Anniversary Barbie bear the financial pressure for the entire company? Mattel is trying with a big party in Malibu, the home of Malibu Barbie, which is of course Pink!

by Haralee Weintraub

Monday, March 9, 2009

IN ANSWER TO JUST SAY NO

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE NO AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITHOUT FEELING BAD ABOUT IT I USED TO FEEL LIKE SHANI, BUT I GREW REALLY FAST WHEN PEOPLE NEED YOU THEY DON'T HESITATE TO ASK BUT IF AND WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED THEY CAN'T HELP YOU SO MY POLICY IS HELP THOSE IF I CAN THAT HAVE HELPED ME AND I 'M NOT GOING TO LET ANYONE GUILT TRIP ME IN ANY FORM OR FASHION. IT IS A NICE WAY TO SAY IT LIKE UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T NOT DO THAT AT THIS TIME, IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT THEN THAT'S ON THEM. IT'S LIKE HALLMARK YOU CARED ENOUGH TO SEND THE VERY BEST.


CHERYL GORHAM

THE RESTAURANT WORLD

HELLO ALL,

JUST A QUICK NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL, IT HAS BEEN ROUGH IN THIS ECONOMIC SITUATION THAT WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW BUT I'M DETERMINED TO DO THIS RESTAURANT SO HELP ME, IT IS SLOW MOVING RIGHT NOW BUT ALL IS WELL, IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE MY LAST POST I'VE BEEN ILL BUT NOT GOING TO LET THAT KEEP ME DOWN, I DO HOPE EVERYONE IS GOOD AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO POST WE LOOK FOWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

BE DETERMINED AND BE BLESSED

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Just Say No

One of the biggest things I must change in 2009 is my need to be a PEOPLE PLEASER.  When someone asks me to do something, I try my best to get it done, even at my own expense.  I HATE
to disappoint other people because I wouldn't want anyone to disappoint me.  But lately, I've found that I've been so busy trying to please others that I've neglected my own professional and personal responsibilities.  Bottom line...I have a hard time saying no.  For some reason, I feel guilty or bad if I can't fulfill an obligation or expectation set by someone else. So, my question is: Does anyone have a good suggestion on how they've said 'no' to someone without sounding rude. How did you let someone down easy?  I know there is an art to it.  I just haven't mastered it yet. Any and all suggestions are welcome!