Entrepreneur Mom

Website, Design & Yikes!!

Aspenmom — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:29:39 GMT

Well the time has come for me to think about a website redo for www.olovesm.com

Thinking this would all be done 1,2, 3-- wrong!! First I had to find a designer, since my wonderful graphics gal got a full time job---boo hoo

So I decided to put an ad on craigslist, I figure it is a great place to contect with people, well 100 replies later-- I was floored!!! Or should I saw overwhelmed with having to reply to all these emails. Even worse, they were all very good candidates!! So now what to do?? I figured maybe I would get 5 replies, as I had to put a price limit on what I could afford-- yep, eco start-ups, have eco-budgets;)

Well, being a little slow at replies, a few months later, I have finally found who I beieve to be the right fit for the new site design.

I am working with her now, and will be sure to keep you updated!!!

thank you for checking in-- and oh, I was so happy to have mailed off a FABulous FAB tote today to the Ladies Night Out winner!!!

Girls Night Out

Aspenmom — Fri, 22 May 2009 10:45:57 GMT

Girls Night Out at PNN-- I am so glad I got to be a part of Girls Night Out tonight!! Even though it was for a short time, due to my kids being tired and a little cranky-- it was neat to see all the wonderful gals come out and chat it up!!

I also donated one of my OlovesM Eco Bags as a giveaway-- which I hope to send out to the winner Monday!!

I also realized I need to keep up with my PNN site more and more-- since it is not only easy to use, but so many wonderful, talented, and amazing people use it as well.

Thank you PNN for giving us this wonderful place to come and share!!!

Time Out!!

Aspenmom — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:47:12 GMT

A Business Time Out! Yep, that is what I need to start doing for ME!! I have been working a lot-- I love what I am doing and it is so exciting to me to get new stores, meet new people, and learn something new everyday- but I also need to take time for ME.

I realized I need a Time Out! So this week, I have made a point to get away for my fav yoga class, take the dogs for a longer walk, and just know it is OK to Time Out!!!

If you find that you are in front of your computer too long, or making up reasons not to go to your fav yoga class, or if your dogs are steering you down--- take a time out;)

New Article

Aspenmom — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:46:42 GMT

Newest Stores:

Crater Lake Gift Store- Crater Lake National Park Oregon

Rocky Mountain Gift Shop- Estes Park Colorado

El Tovar Gift Shop- Grand Canyon

New Article

Aspenmom — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:31:36 GMT

500th Invoice!!!! OK< this is SO exciting, had to share-- the other day I wrote up invoice number 500, I realized that meant in one year I wrote 400 bag orders:) For being an eco bag start-up, eco-mommy I had to pat myself on the back!! And then of course answer the phone, bag orders, and pick up the kids from school-- but for one moment, I took the time to stop what I was doing, and smile about all that has happened over the past year and a half.

I decided from that moment on, it was impoortant to me, to start writing down more milestones in my business-- since I know it is here to stay--for a while:)

Bad Juju for Bota Of Boulder

Aspenmom — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:16:56 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 22:16:05 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 — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:01:00 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 09:25:20 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 22:45:49 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 10:26:13 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 10:48:16 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 09:56:43 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 09:33:28 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 09:29:58 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:)