Entrepreneur Mom

Bad Juju for Bota Of Boulder

Aspenmom — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:16:56 GMT

I was So upset to learn the company I hired to help me with my bags, Bota Of Boulder, chose to use my left overs without asking me, and create a bag from it-- I am not sure how a business can do this, but somehow they did!

I know I am new to business, and BOY O BOY am I learning!! I am learning how to be a good , respectable business, and not ever treat someone as I have been treated by Bota of Boulder

Not even a sorry, or email explaining why they would do this? Right now, most of the people I have talked to said this does go on, but to happen right under my nose,-- from now on, I have learned to really trust my lawyer and do as he says!!

I hope they can see that this is not good business practice and move on to their own products they make--- I know I have from them!!

National Parks Here Comes OlovesM Eco Bags

Aspenmom — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:16:05 GMT

How exciting, besides being in the beautiful Yosemite National Park-- 2 stores!! We have just gotten into the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone!!!

I am So excited, I love visiting the parks, and what I fun trip to take with my boys.

WOW Almost 100 Stores!!

Aspenmom — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:01:00 GMT

I know it has been a while since I last posted- but here ya go, the OlovesM Update:

I am so excited all is going well, with almost 100, yes 100 stores carrying the OlovesM Eco Bags, more and more people are

Making A Difference With What They Carry!!!

I get a big smile when I see people in town (aspen) carrying the bags, and I dont even know them! Sometimes I even ask where they got the bag, and introduce myself as the owner/designer.

More and more I feel the Eco-Friendly is creeping into our lives- and I love it:) Stores often tell me they have really wanted to be a part of the "eco-ness" but that what is offered to them is just not fashionable, and unique--hence the reason for loving www.olovesm.com

We have some fun new styles and fabrics, which you can see on the site blog-- The Blog- it has been so much fun. I know a lot of times it is about what is going on with the bags, but then a lot of posts are more about what is going on in my life while working hard on OlovesM Bags, My Boys, Dogs, etc...

I am about to get a shop up and running soon, really a fun eco boutique where 10 bags will be offered at a time, and will change often. I like to keep things fresh & Eco-Fun!!

Thank you all for reading my pnn site, I love pnn and hope to post more.

I really want to start posting about what it is like to be a mom, wife and entrepreneur-- all very fun, yet challenging.

merle:)

Messenger Bags

Aspenmom — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:25:20 GMT

I finally have my messenger bags in all the fun new Fall colors! Be sure to check them out at my blog over at www.olovesm.com
just click on the Blog tab at the top and you will see our new LIME, NAVY and MAROON-- plus of course Black, Slate and olive!

I have worled hard to make the Messenger Bags more Kooshier for laptops-- I added another layer of material to the bottom of the bag, which really makes a nice difference!

Check'em oiut and be sure to check back often, as I have some great new styles coming out!!!

Saturday Market Comes 2 An End

Aspenmom — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 15:45:49 GMT

Hard to believe that the Aspen Sat. Market has come to an end--- what a WONDERFUL experience it has been-- I loved being a part of something that really was not only great for my OlovesM Bag Business, but I met some wonderful people every Saturday!!

From locals who just wanted to say hi and see how the bag biz was doing, to tourists who just came into town--every Saturday was excitement just waiting to happen!!

Sat. Market Going WELL

Aspenmom — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 03:26:13 GMT

Well I just got done with my third Aspen Saturday market-- and it has been going SO WELL!!!! Not only have I been selling a good amount of bags, but people all LOVE them--which is wonderful for me to see & hear!!

My booth is very crowded, and I have to admit, by the end of the day my feet and back are killing me!! But it is all worth it, as the finaly sale at 3pm says to me, your bag madde my day!!! And to see a 12 year old boy some in and by 2 for his mom's birthday, makes my feet hurt not so bad:)

I think since I have bags from $5 to $85, people can all find something they can afford! (and in Aspen, that is not that easy!!!!)

I really look forward to the rest of the summer season, and will keep you posted on how it is going:)

Life Update

Aspenmom — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:48:16 GMT

HI, I have been SO busy these past few weeks. Between my bag business, the boys, our rental business, and the house sale-- yep, like all of us, life gets busy sometimes!! I also have sarted my Aspen Saturday Market, so from now until October, I will be at the market from 7-3---OK can we say long day and hard on the feet:)

But I had a great market this past week, so it was ALL worth it:) I will be sure to post pics of my booth and all my cool, hip and colorful bags soon!! I just have to be able to get out of my booth to take the picture!!!

For all the people out there who have done the market or craft fairs, man you work hard!!! I wish I had zillions of dollars to tha I could buy something from all of you--- since I know it is not an easy thing to do, and then to make a living at it, with the kids, pets, etc.. not an easy thing!!! Kudos to all of us:)

WIll keep you filled in----merle:)

Yoga Bag-Way Cool!!!

Aspenmom — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 02:56:43 GMT

I am SO excited-- my new yoga bag is here!! It is amazing and everyone who has seen it, loves it!! It is such a good feeling when people say, can I buy one now--- of course they can!!!

Looks like the bag will be in some local Aspen stores soon, or if you cant wait and have to have one NOW--- just email me or go to www.olovesm.com and check'em out!

You can also find me at merle@olovesm.com
I have rainbow color, black and olive--- all great choices-- you might just have to buy more then one!!!!

Sat. Market Coming Soon!!

Aspenmom — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:33:28 GMT

I have been working SO hard on getting ready for the Aspen Saturday Market-- it starts June 16th and runs through October. I am excited about selling my bags every week, and I know it will be a fun time. Most important, a great learning tool for me to talk to people about my OlovesM bag line and get good feedback.

SO far every one loves the bags and I usually always sell them once people get their hands on them. I have been working on how I will be setting up my tent at the market----

When I first set up my new 10x10 tent, I got a litle overwhelmed-- it was much bigger then I had expected. I have been thinking night and day of ways to display the bags, and boy it is not easy!! I think since I have so much else going on, kids, other business, husband, whats for dinner, lunch and breakfest, cleaning, well you know what I am talking about-- then to take that all, and have time left over for my brain to be creative--- not that easy!!

I think one of the hardest parts of running your own business, is being able to alk to someone about daily stuff-- I have had a great friend to do this with, but with his own business so busy, I have not had a chance to even run things by him for a few weeks, and BOY O BOY do I miss him, and our talks!!! ----- You notice these silly little things once you have had them, and then all of a sudden they are not there---- and then you realize how nice it has been to have someone to talk to, ask biz questions, or just to make you laugh and forget what you were saying for 2 seconds.

I am sure everything will work out----I know my tent will look great , my line sheet will get done, and did I forget to mention my house sold?? SO now I have to figure out a place to move to:)

Have a good one, and thanks for checking in to see how it is all going!!!

Moving Along

Aspenmom — Wed, 16 May 2007 02:29:58 GMT

Last week I went to visit my mom. Not only did she comfort me about Chip, but it was SO much fun to hang out and catch up. I feel so lucky my mom is the bestest!!! (if that could really be a word, then it is perfect for her:)

I also shared some of my new bags with her, and she was so excited o see them---- as well as her friends how proceeded to buy them:)

It is fun as a mom myself to share what I have been doing with my own mom--- showing her that I was able to take an idea from my yoga mat, all the way thru to the finished product was so much fun for her to see.

We do not live that close, so the time spent is much appreciated by both of us. We treasure all our time together and get along great!

It is also fun to go home to catch up with old friends, althought I only have a few, those few are very WONDERFUL!!! It is a neat feeling to have made these friends when i was 16, and we still have so much in common---actually LOTS in common, so much I wish they lived closer to me:)

Going back for my Mother/Daughter visit was great, and one I need to do more often:)

Chip- WE LOVE YOU!!!

Aspenmom — Sat, 05 May 2007 01:26:03 GMT

This week was a very hard and sad time for me, we put our chocolate lab Chip to sleep. I can not find the words right now, as I am still so sad-- but I have added his picture, and it does feel good to write about him, as he was such a special part of our lives!!

We rescued Chip 11 years ago, and I have never had a buddy like him who would follow me everywhere, listened to all my words, and never talked back:)

I feel SO lucky to have had such a best friend come into my life--- I miss him SO much--- I love you Chip:)

Tribecca Film Fest!!

Aspenmom — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:08:59 GMT

Another Exciting bag post!!! My Minnie bag made it to New York, and Robert DeNeros Tribecca Film Fest----
Here is a picture of the Basket and Yep, that is my bag right in front-- Yes, I know the label is in the inside---dont worry, it is there for all those stars to see:)

Official Gift Basket for the World Premiere of the Film TAKE starring Minnie Driver at the Tribeca Film Festival.

My Bags in a Magazine!!!

Aspenmom — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 03:00:00 GMT

I am so excited, my bag that went to the Sundance Film fest made it into Life & Style Weekly Magazine!!!! How cool is that!! April 9th issue, page 63-- just in case any of you save old magazines:)

New Article

Aspenmom — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 02:51:48 GMT

Enter Text Here

Earth Day Fun!

Aspenmom — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:42:04 GMT

Earth Day is coming up-- so I thought I would give you some fun ideas, and sogs to play with and teach your kids!----These are fun for all ages!!!

Earth Day Songs:

Sung to: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star"

Twinkle twinkle little star
Time to clean up where you are.
Put litter back in its place,
Keep a smile upon your face.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
Time to clean up where you are.

Sung to: "Frere Jacques"

We're not litterbugs
We're not litterbugs,
No siree, no siree!
We pick up our trash,
We pick up our trash,
Yes siree, yes siree!

Sung to: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

Earth Day, Earth Day,
Comes once a year.
But we should make our message clear.
Love and clean our Earth each day.
Make that plan a plan to stay.
Earth Day, Earth Day,
Comes once a year,
Love and care for our Earth so dear

THE LETTER "R"-----

This is a great way to learn about the 3 "R"'s for Earth Day-Recycle, Reduse, Reuse!
When you have talked about these words, I have given you some good craft ideas to make.

Recycle: We should not throw cans, bottles and newspapers into landfills. These items can be recycled. Don't throw those shoe boxes away -- they can become toy dioramas or doll houses. Discuss how these items get recycled.

Reuse: We don't always need a new piece of paper or a new t-shirt. We can try to reuse what we already have. We can help keep trash out of the landfills. How can a piece of paper be reused? Example: We can use the comics to use as wrapping paper, print the templates in this web site on the blank/clean side of junk mail or other discarded paper material. How can a T-shirt be reused - many pieces of fabric from T-shirts can make a great quilt!

Reduce - Every home can reduce the amount of waste/garbage it produces and the landfills would last years longer. Composting is one way of reducing -- explain how you can help and/or are helping to reduce.

CRAFT FUN:

Make Litter Bugs- Gather some clean trash around the house, tissue paper, junk mail, toliet paper tubes, old newspapers, bottle caps, plastic juice caps, etc..

Scrunch up the newspaper, or tissue paper into a ball, you can make a few of these and attach them for the body of your Litter Bug. he start adding trash for the eyes, legs, etc.. I cute idea is to take the plastic bottle caps and make a hat for your bug!

Have fun, and even have a bug parade if there are a few of you making them!

MELTED CRAYON EARTH-

You Need:
Blue and Green Crayon Shavings
Wax Paper
Warm Iron-with adult help
Pattern of the Earth on paper

Put a piece of wax paper over your Earth pattern paper. Sprinkle crayon shavings- do NOT use a lot, as they spread out fast!- on wax paper following the Earth deasign. Place another piece of wax paper on top of shavings and a blank sheet of paper or a cloth over that. Gently press down with a warm iron. Crayon will melt quickly. Cut wax paper into a circle around the design. Great to tape to a window, since the sun will shine through the crayon pattern!