You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

Remember that song we learned in grade school? You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey? Well as business owners, we can’t rely on others to be our sunshine. We are our own sunshine. Trust me sometimes I know it’s challenging to maintain not only momentum but motivation (today I thought the kitchen was going to explode and I was running late to a meeting-more on that later) but we have to do whatever it takes to bring 1000% of energy and focus to the business and get into that state. Whether it’s working out first thing (like I did this am-my arms will thank me later), approaching the day with positive energy, and budgeting time and tasks effectively, our days are what we make of them. That’s why we went into business for ourselves right? So we can do what we love and be more in charge.
Sometimes we depend on others to validate ourselves and what we do. That can be dangerous and that is what seems to be happening with the recession. Some people lose their jobs and feel themselves lost regardless of whether they liked what they did. In these cases, our identities are tied to our jobs, not our passions, and when others see fit, jobs and positions are eliminated. Our identities should be tied to what we hold sacred to our values. For me my identity is tied to my own self worth and in turn my marriage, my family, my home and my health, my passions and hobbies and friends are paramount to me. Jobs come and go but health is important. I am just reinforcing this as I continue to monitor my fitness levels ie damn cholesterol in addition to my eating habits. When we get stressed we,[I] should have never been okay with reaching for the quickest, while unhealthy thing to eat (damn Doritos). I am learning to budget my time better and make priorities and my health-it’s number 1. That’s why I am working out daily and limiting the “no” foods per my doc.
And that brings me back to my kitchen almost exploding today. Hubby swore the dish I was making would take 25 minutes. Why, given that I started at 4:15, I was scarfing it down when it was ready at 5:40 when I had to be down at old town @ 6:30 in rush hour for my Ladies who Launch meeting? Food was everywhere and hubby was due to walk in any minute and he couldn’t find a mess and I was going crazy. But it was okay. I made the mess and I had to clean it up and I did, grabbed my purse and jetted! Got there on time and met some awesome leaders. And the best part of it all-dinner was made, kitchen was clean and the business was back on my priority radar and it was me who was the mechanical engineer behind it all. I took charge and made it happen so if you need something done for your business: Do it yourself/ Find out who can do it/ Give yourself a goal for when it should be done/Work consistently at accomplishing the goal.
The highlight of my day, besides the LWL meeting (they rock by the way) I made it to my local newspaper in NYC. Check out the link to the right. Mom just called. She loved the piece, along with my dad and brothers and sister! It’s awesome making their day and knowing that tonite, those closest to me have a smile on their faces because they believe in me! Go forward movement!

Spring into it!

Wow! What a week-I signed up for the Ladies Who Launch biz incubator and I can definitely say it was an amazing experience. If you’re constantly behind your computer working 12-18 hr days, get out now. I knew it was important to get out and meet people in similar positions of launching business but I don’t think it’s important anymore-it’s vital to not only to your growth and sanity but to that of your business too! Take a business class, join a business network. If you’re a lady, join LWL-if you’re a man, ask your wife, girlfriend, sister, friend coworker who’s in LWL how it went-you’re sure to learn something. A plant can’t grow without air. And a plant shouldn’t grow without other plants growing around it!
So am just catching up from a few days focused on the incubator. Amazingly enough, hours away from my computer and email did not cause the world to end. I think I grew more for my business away from the business than I did at my computer working on my business, if that makes sense. Hubby of course was super supportive of it all. It’s amazing how lucky I am. He’s also going to school to get his engineering degree so if you have someone important in your life giving you support, make sure you’re taking care of them to.
The weekend is the weekend to get organized and wrap up my biz plan to take to SCORE. If you haven’t met with them, make an appointment now. Look for the local chapter and make an appointment if only to chat. I need help with numbers. So make a list of what you need help with and they’ll match you with someone who’s been there done that. A mentor! How great is that.
And follow me on twitter @ Kingleyandposh. I’m having more fun on it than I thought. STAY CONNECTED. Yes your biz is important but life still is happening all around you. Don’t miss out on exercising, enjoying the beautiful weather, catching up with friends and family. Your business will be there when you get back!
Off to get some lunch and work on my biz plan-outside! It’s too gorgeous of a day to miss out!

Out from Under-the tale of an accounting survivor

I’ve finally dug myself out from under days of catching up on my accounting. One of many newbie businesses fail is because of messy books so I vowed very early on to keep receipts of everything and to track all my spending-anything from my $.10 copies to my $4000 tradeshow fees. Last Thursday, I ate nothing from 11am to 8pm because I had become one with the calculator, and it was not letting me eat. It paid off though-there’s nothing like going to bed at night knowing you know every single cent that left your business and you can account for it not only to you but your family and bankers. It’s just a little challenging when you wear so many hats. Days consist of time slots for media outreach, design, letting people know you’re alive via email and phone calls, following up with sales calls and then carving out time to consolidate all your efforts into a business plan you hope others see just as viable as you! This morning I let Oni hear my elevator pitch. She liked it so I gave her a treat! She knows when she hears a good thing.

A huge thank you to all the media that is super stoked about K&P. The support means the world to me. On the flipside I did last week get my first cold-shoulder from a blogger who shall remain nameless because they’re too frivolous to be named. I came across an online plea to profile upcoming designers so humility aside, I introduced myself in an email. She flat out told me she wasn’t looking to profile plus-size fashion-just mainstream. What is that supposed to mean? Ignorance is bliss. For me, fashion is fashion and a size 2 woman can be just as fashionable as a size 16. Regardless, I just wanted to share because all business will come across a jab now and again and you just have to not let it sting. As a very sweet consolation price, I was mentioned on Wall Street Journal’s website in a story about reinventing yourself. Whoohoo for K&P! Check out the piece if you can!

Now I have to turn my attention over to my Spring 2010 collection! It’s pretty much done…in my head. Just gotta get it on paper and tweak some design elements. I have to have that ready for my next tradeshow in August. Biz plan almost done to present to the SBA next week. Exciting stuff. It’s time to push to the next level! But first, a bike ride. Can’t forget my cardio!

Didn't know fire could burn

I love that saying. My husband introduced it to me yesterday. It’s the thought of people saying and doing things thinking you’ll be impressed or they’ll win your good favor but you’re really dumbfounded because what they’ve done or said is actually idiotic or quite odd and they don’t know it…Perfect example follows:

People skills-some people have them. Some people don’t. Scratch that. Some people have them, most people don’t. When you launch a business, the universe presents you with opportunities. The opp to grow, the opp to be creative, the opp to make money and the opp to meet people. Sometimes you meet great people-sometimes you don’t. I came across a marketing company that seemed super eager to learn about me and help me and when I proceeded to chat with them yesterday, the entire conversation revolved around their resume. Don’t get me wrong-I want to hear your expertise. But interest in me and my vision and allowing me to speak would be cool, too. I present a recap of the conversation :

Them: Our campaigns have appeared here, here, here (lasted for 5 minutes)/Me: Wow great, it sounds like we can really work (interrupted-after 3 seconds)/Them: and we know this, this, and this (5 minutes/me: you seem very well-versed…Interrupted after 2 seconds)/Them: this is what we do and why people think we’re experts (5 min.)./me (thinking): this conversation is going nowhere and why would I want to work with a group that is self-centered and can’t even hold a normal conversation? Who’d want to work with you? You know how it ended. They heard my uncle tone and a tad bit of respect.

On the upside—and I think the above story is part of the upside because as an entrepreneur and biz owner you meet tons of people and some propel you forward and some want to hold you back and take your money-you have to make the decision and sometimes you have to make it quick. Related news…I am expected a couple of newspapers to mention the line next week. My mom has warned again singing haleluia too quickly so once I see news of K&P published, that is when I’ll celebrate!

I’ve teamed up with a local group of biz ladies for an extensive 2 week “kinda focus on me and my biz” workshop. Today was the first nite and it went awesome. When you team up with local women who know where you’re coming from, sometimes ideas just keep popping into you head even after you’ve left.

I still have to get to my biz plan! It’ll be done before tax day!

Departure Eve

In the midst of packing for VA. It was really an energizing trip. Between, Max, our toy dog, looking at me like he know me from a past life, mom’s hearty meals (sorry hubby there are no pernil porkshoulders leftovers and Caso Cerrado on Telemundo (more on that later), I managed to do all my media and store outreach and make major progress on my Spring 2010 collection (applause, applause, thank you, thank you, you’re far too kind). Next thing to tackle, the business plan to be done by Sunday midnite. If not, I am on dinner duty for the week-Hubby’s already placing menu requests!

New York! New York!

Day 4 of the Big Apple! Amazingly I am still here. I should be heading back today, but the editors of the magazine that's shooting my clothes have had to postpone due to deadlines. No worries. I am home and one of the awesome things of being your own boss is that you can work wherever without someone who's probably on some acid trip breathing down your throat asking when you're coming back, where this oh-so-important file is (that's the only reason of course they'd bother you away from the office -- for that oh-so important file full of nothingness) and having their own nervous breakdown because without you there they have to work or look busier. Oh you smell that--it's freedom on the road to financial indepence and security--and you're building that road.

So I went to my Bronx factory on Monday. It was really impressive. My dad came with me to lend his expertise of all his years in the textile industry. The facilities are great and the price is right but however I am still a little hesitant. Maybe because production is around the corner and I am hitting stores relatively soon..okay I'm postpoing my doubtful state until I've had breakfast. Freaking out is much more efficient on a full belly.

When I do get home to VA it's spring cleaning time. My hubby Oscar (hell of a guy and just an angel) has been patient with my growing number of work stations (one on the sofa, one in the kitchen, and one in the study) so I am going to make him proud with my cleaning prowess when I get home. Have to buy a mini file cabinet to better organize things and just rid of the paperwork i swear makes me feel warm and fuzzy at nite just knowing it's there (but knowing deep down in my soul it serves no real purpose.

Also it's time to get my exercise routine tattoed on my forehead. Hubby read my physical results over the phone to me last night and my cholesterol is borderline. Not ideal for a 32-year-old so I am fixing that. What is the point of getting you groove on with your biz if your health is less than ideal? I rather be alive and making it than dead and rich so I've decided to become a gym nut and make the recommended changes to my diet. No more junk! And my inspiration besides hubby, biz, Oni and Sifu? My mom told me Sunday when I arrived that she's off her diabetes meds and feeling like a million bucks! Can I get an amen! I'm ecstatic and ready to kick my butt into shape.

So here's to a day of following up with stores, cleaning my database, and cont'd media outreach and whatever else in between! but first some fruit!