Friday, December 31, 2010

LaunchHER Re-Vamps in 2011!


There is only one thing we can truly say about LaunchHER; we LOVE them! Okay, we can say a lot more. How amazing they are, how they are changing the lives of women-owned brands, how the site is just so pretty to look out and filled with hours of browsing. See, we really could go on and on and on.....



As for the {re} vamp - well, it is simply gorgeous. They are no longer a blogspot. As of today they will have a much better site-experience, as everything is linked SO much better, there is a better search function, and through Wordpress, all of their features can be immediately linked to their Twitter and Facebook accounts!  Some of the biggest news... you will now be able to sign up for the LaunchHER newsletter. Feedburner will deliver LaunchHER right to your inbox! To coincide with the {re} launch and New Years' resolutions they are offering incredible opportunities for women to partner with LaunchHER which you can find out more below in our interview with the ladies.
One of our favorite things from the {re} vamp besides a beautiful site? They are sending all {freshly launched} businesses a button that says "they were launched" and everyone who was on the 40 under 40 a button that say they were on 40 under 40! How exciting is that! 


We truly adore them but we will let our chat with LaunchHER leading ladies Kara and Sallisha speak for themselves! Read on to get the scoop from the beautiful blondes of LaunchHER!

1.) Tell us about the HER behind LaunchHER. Who is Sallisha and Kara - the ladies making it all happen? 

Sallisha is a wife and a mom of 3 who always brings her A-game to everything she touches. Drawing on her degree in Finance, to LaunchHER Sallisha brings an impressive background in high-level Wall Street management and internet start-up consulting. Her knack for knocking every single thing she is involved in out of the park is beyond amazing. Ask any LaunchHER client and they will whole-heartedly agree.
Kara is a wife and a mom of 2 boys who cannot imagine doing anything other than working with women entrepreneurs. After nearly 10 years as a litigator, Kara’s decision to hang up her litigator hat and provide legal services to women-owned businesses was a no-brainer. As the proprietor of a few artisan business ventures over the years, Kara knows first-hand the challenges, joys and tough decisions her clients face. 
Kara
Sallisha 
2.) When you acquired LaunchHER, you turned it around so quickly. You have made it beyond amazing and you are some kind of genius - the both of you. How did you know LaunchHER is what you wanted?  

Before LaunchHER was named and the idea for promoting women-owned brands, especially new ventures in the handmade area, was first contemplated, Kara was actually part of the brainstorming process. At the very beginning, the idea was to build a business that would become a resource for women-owned brands by providing free press and promotion, as well as a connection to those all-important services a business needs – branding, web design, PR, marketing and legal. When LaunchHER launched, the ‘resource’ part of the concept seemed to fall by the wayside. While LaunchHER created some buzz those first few weeks, the business seemed to falter and nearly died out within the first 6 months or so.   

So when the opportunity to acquire LaunchHER presented itself to us, the decision to take LaunchHER and get it back to what was Kara’s original idea was an easy decision to make. In the few weeks before the acquisition, we had started becoming very good friends. Just days before the acquisition, we were talking about starting some sort of joint business venture, hoping to provide a service to women-owned brands.  

What is interesting is that, looking back to just about a year ago, when the initial brainstorming that resulted in the formation of LaunchHER took place, we didn’t even know each other, except that we were in the same MOPS group at church. To see where we are now, as friends, as business partners, and as LaunchHER, is thrilling and amazing. 


What exactly does LaunchHER do? for those out there that need some info.  

LaunchHER provides a {boost} to women-owned brands by offering complimentary features to new businesses twice a week, business coaching, branding, marketing, business development and flat-fee legal services. All services are available ala carte or can be combined in a custom package to meet each client’s individual needs. Occasionally we also offer celebrity gifting and other product placement opportunities.  
To kick-off the New Year, we are offering 2 great deals:
  • Over the course of 3 months, LaunchHER will partner with you, to make this year the year to start, develop and protect your brand for the future; or,
  • For less than the price of a month of lattes, LaunchHER will strategize, weigh-in, research and consult with you on your business and your specific needs/concerns/goals in a 60-minute telephone conversation.
    When you freshly launch a company - what exactly are you looking for? 

    That is a great question!! We love all of the {freshly}launched submissions we get on LaunchHER, and any new indie brand can submit their shop for consideration. Discovering new brands and giving a complimentary {boost} is one of our favorite parts of LaunchHER! 

    While there are no hard-and-fast rules for our picks, we do look for newer brands, who are independent, have a great website (or etsy/big cartel shop), are unique and have started laying the groundwork for a big social media presence.

    What tips do you have for those wanting to make their biz FABulous? 

    Do what you love.
    Make your business a reflection of your own personal style.
    Fine-tune your product lines so your product offerings are cohesive.
    Offer the best customer service EVER.
    Create an engaging and consistent social media presence.
    Hire professionals to handle the legal and financial side of your business if those areas aren’t your forte.
    Protect your brand by trademarking your name.

    How can you get Launched? 

    Submit your shop to get {freshly}launched at www.LaunchHER.com
    Subscribe to the LaunchHER blog and gain access to the LaunchHER::LAW, LaunchHER::SCOOP and LaunchHER::PRO articles for really great business advice.
    Follow us on twitter: Sallisha :: @LaunchHER, Kara :: @LaunchHERLaw
    Contact us: Sallisha :: hello@LaunchHER.com,  Kara:: kara@launchHER.com

    What is up next for LaunchHER and what can we look forward to? 

    We are so excited for 2011!! In early December we trekked through one of the worst blizzards in Minnesota history to meet and map-out the first 6 months of 2011 – it’s going to be amazing!  

    In April we are speaking at Creative Estates in the Phoenix area (http://creativeestates.blogspot.com/) – we are literally counting the days!!  

    Our lips are sealed, but the LaunchHER::SCOOP posts for January and February are SO GOOD. Working with our exclusive group of LaunchHER::PROs to continually provide our clients with insider knowledge to make their business ventures a huge success and avoid most of the small-business pitfalls.  And, finalizing the chosen locales for LaunchHER::LIVE events!

    Sallisha:

    1.  I am addicted to using Crest White Strips.

    2.  When I'm driving in the car kid-free, I love to turn off the radio, enjoy the silence, and just be alone with my thoughts.  It's like a mini-vacation!

    3.  My guilty pleasure is watching Real Housewives re-runs while on the elliptical at the gym.

    4.  I've always wanted to learn how to quilt. It's one of my New Years Resolutions for 2011!

    5.  Someday, when my children are older, I want to go to culinary school.  Just for fun. 

    Kara:

    1. I am 5’1” (on a good day, and without heels)

    2. I have a shoe addiction and nearly always wear high heels (see #1) 

    3. I have been on QVC.

    4. I adore coffee

    5. In 5th grade, I decided I wanted to be an attorney.

     If you didn't already LOVE LaunchHER you should now officially be obsessed with their FABness! Head over to the new site now and check it out! Can we say it one last time.....we LOVE LaunchHER! 


    Pucker Up, Buttercup (New Year's Eve Cookies)

    Mr. E & I didn't meet on New Year's Eve, but I like to say that's when we fell in love. 
    His roommate had been dating one of my best friends for a while.  So, we knew each other, but never given one another much thought.  At a New Year's Eve party, while my girlfriend Laura was running around finding her cousin to introduce to Mr. E and some guy to introduce to me....we ended up talking.  We never did meet that cousin or that guy we were supposed to have been set up with.

    At midnight, Mr. E kissed me on the cheek.  I was smitten.  A little over 3 years {and one breakup} later, we were married. ♥
    So, New Year's Eve has a special place in my heart....even though we won't be going out, we'll be sipping champagne at home (well, he'll be sipping a beer), watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV.

    I'm running out of time to get these posted, so no tutorial, but you can see from these pictures how the cookies came together:
    {I used my candy corn cookie cutter. These were decorated with royal icing, with a touch of luster dust on the hats and food coloring pens for the girls' cheeks.)
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

    THE BEAUTY OF TURNED WOOD

    I adore turned wood.  One piece can do so much for a room.  You can imagine how happy I was to find these beauties in my inbox.  Enjoy!











    To read about these pieces visit here.

    It is difficult to believe that the end of the year is here.  In just a few hours, the new year will arrive with great anticipation.

    I am so blessed to have those of you that follow, read, and comment on my blog.  I have made so many friends via my blog and truly appreciate your friendship and support.

    It is amazing that there is a place for bloggers to share their interests with other bloggers. There really is something for everyone.  I look forward to seeing your posts each day.

    I have learned so much this year and look forward to 2011.  I certainly intend to challenge myself and can’t wait to share new ideas and posts with all of you.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!
    Teresa
    xoxo

    Last Christmas project posted for the year....


    Wow!! We're almost to the year 2011! Unbelievable!!! So here is one last post showing you one more Christmas card along with a set of to/from tags. For my card, I used #3058 Jolly Tilda from Magnolia-licious along with the presents which are also a Magnolia stamp but I can't find them in stock right now. If you're interested, please be sure and ask Diana about them. Tilda and the presents are colored with Copic markers, and then I fussy cut and popped them up off the card base for lots of dimension.  You might be able to tell a little better with the next pic.



    The background papers are from Nitwit Collections, and the cardstock is Bazzill. I know it almost looks black, but it's a dark green color. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I used some Angel Wings Shimmerz on them. The bow is made from May Arts silk ribbon of course and I believe the charm is from the Charm Barn.


    Here is a set of to/from tags I made using #3070 Sitting Angel Tilda from the Merry Christmas 2010 collection from Magnolia-licious. Again, it doesn't look like she's in stock right now, but please check with Diana if you are interested.  The box is just a standard jewelry box that I decorated to match the tags. That's it for me today. Tomorrow I will have my project for the Magnolia-licious Design Team Sketch Challenge, so I hope you check back for that!

    Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for another fabulous year of your friendship! I am truly blessed. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, and hope to see you in 2011!! Hugs!

    Thursday, December 30, 2010

    Color of the Year!

    Pantone just announced the 2011 color of the year and well, we couldn't LOVE it more! Also, because it is very close to what our new website color will be!  Honeysuckle is the color cupcakes! What's not to love? 



    A Color for All Seasons
    Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. 
    It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

    cupcakeMAG gets crafty with The Crafting Chicks!


    Oh, The Crafting Chicks. How much we adore them? When we came across the site via Ana White it was immediately love at first "site". It is an endless place to get crafty! We could go on and on but we will let this interview and our favorite little things from their site speak for themselves!
                                                                                            {yes, you can make this beautiful kitchen here}
    {click here to learn how to make the perfect Quiet Book}
                                                {Fun & Festive Candle Decor here}
    Read our sit down with one of the fab crafting chicks, Kirsten Wright!



    1.) What inspired The Crafting Chicks?


    Three years ago, Crafting Chicks Becky and Jamie were looking for a central location to share their crafty ideas.  Then and there, The Crafting Chicks "hatched", ha ha.  Along the way, the four other crafters gathered together to complete the six-person team we have today.  We all weave creating into every part of our lives, because it's what we love, and we get to share it now with our ideas with our many friends on the Internet.

    2.) Do you each have a favorite craft you have shared? If so which one and why?

    I think Jamie's would have to be her quiet books that have received quite a bit of attention.  Kirsten's would have to be Quincie's play kitchen.  Brooke's, her hutch makeover, which is literally to die for.  Nikalla's would be her silhouettes.  Becky even announced she was pregnant through Nikkala's sillhouette tutorial, that would have to be her favorite.  Jen's favorite is her Happy Board.  I think for each of us, they are our favorites because we really took a lot of time and creative energy to come up with something we could be proud of.  It makes it really fun when our projects receive a lot of attention, which all of our favorites have.  This is definitely the icing on the cake.  We have been lucky enough to have some of these favorites featured on popular sites like Ana-White.com and Re-Nest.com, a branch of Apartment Therapy.




    3.) Besides your amazing site - what other sites do you all read or constantly stay up on?

    We love the sites:  allthingsthrifty.com, Martha Stewart of course, Apartment Therapy, oneshetwoshe.com, Eighteen25, SimpleAsThat.com, My Computer is My Canvas, Ana-White.com, and any others that catch our eye on any particular day.

    4.) When you aren't crafting what can we find you doing?

    We have 21 1/2 kids between the six of us, so MOST of our time you would find each of us taking care of our families which we all know is more than a full-time position in itself.  When we have spare time other than that, you could find some of us playing sports like soccer, playing the piano, cleaning crap off our kitchen floors, ya know, the regular. 

    5.) The kitchen and quiet books on your site are just...well, we are speechless! How do you come up with such wonderful and crafty ideas? 


    For most of us, we will see an idea somewhere and think, "I can make that, for cheaper, personalized, and cuter."  There are so many things in my house that I want to do or make and I 99% of the time, I plan on making it myself.  I could be busy from now until the end of time thinking up fun projects I would like to have finished.

    6.) What are things you should always have when starting your first craft area or space?

    Mod Podge, A good table, and back up plans for when your project doesn't turn out how you would like it too. I know for most of us, it's really important to have things up that inspire us:  quotes, pictures, etc.  I don't think any of us have our dream craft rooms yet, one day.

    7.) Favorite places to find everything you need to make your ideas come to life? Stores, sites, etc. 


    Thrift stores for things we can re-make, and we love Hobby Lobby and local craft stores.  Most of the time, we use craft supplies we already have.  This way, we save money and use that things we knew we needed to have at one point.


    See, don't you just LOVE them? We hope to have opened your eyes to a new site to add to your favorites! 

    All things Crafting Chicks


    Goodbye 2010 Hello 2011

     







    Happy Happy New Year!!


    image 1 - kate spade via pretty stuff, image 2 - , image 3 - little of that, image 4 - kates papiere

    Repetition

    A very small fraction of a huge order I am fulfilling (hence, the light blogging). I ran out of surfaces in our home to put these, so now I'm placing in boxes prior to finishing touches and packing...


    Holiday photo...

    Here's one holiday photo of the Christmas gathering we had at our house this year :)


    PARIS CHIC

    These chic Paris apartments were designed by several different interior designers.  ENJOY!












    To read more about these rooms and their designers visit here.
    See you soon,
    Teresa
    xoxo

    Architectural DIgest Jan 2010