Until recently I had never won a contest. A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon Half of VAMP’s blog and boy was I a lucky girl. Not only is her blog wonderfully written, funny and full of great recipes, but on the day I happened to find her she was hosting a “Pass it On” give-away. I decided to participate and a couple of days ago I was hit with the news that I won! So now I have a lovely prize on the way to my home, but the most exciting part for me is that I now get to host a give-away!
So here is how it works:
If you read my blog on a daily basis you know that I’m in the mist of starting my own interior/event styling business. Yay for me! I really do feel that sometimes things do take a village and I would love to hear some wonderful words of wisdom from you all. That being said in order to participate leave me a comment with ways to help get the word out on my new business and drum up some clients. It can be anything you like. Be creative!
If you are at a loss of words then just leave me a comment with one of your latest finds that you are currently obsessed with. I always like to be in the know.
This is a great opportunity for 1st time posters, because you all have the opportunity to win some great prizes.
I will draw a name on Nov 25th!
Here is a run down of some of the current items I’m in LOVE with:
1. Since we all know and love Rachel Zoe you will get this cool chunky Lion’s head ring so you too can pretend to be RZ. You will die!
2. I’m a huge tea drinker, but I never really enjoyed the taste of green tea. In order to be healthy I decided to give it another try and I bought a box of STASH FUSION GREEN & WHITE TEA. It tastes amazing and is good for you. I love it and I tell everyone about it.
3. I posted these cute PANTONE cups and saucer the other day. I think they are a great gift for someone that is design obsessed like yours truly. Plus you can use to drink your tea.
4. I love paint chips. Going to Benjamin Moore and buying a paint fan deck was one of the high-lights of me becoming a new home owner. I really believe that the color choice in a room makes a huge impact as to what style the room is going to be. So I thought it was only fitting to add this House Beautiful Colors for your Home book. My favorite section in HB magazine is where the design professionals discuss their go to colors. Now you have all that info in one place.
5. I’m a make-up junkie and I have a slight obsession with lip balm. I’m always purchasing new things to try and this latest find is my favorite. It’s a MARY KAY combo set with a lip mask and lip balm. As you we get into the winter season my lips tend to get chapped quite a bit. This set helps resolve all those problems. My lips feel brand new after I do this treatment.
6. Woof woof, Foo Dogs! Enough said. Love them. Now you will get to love them as well!
7. ??????? I’m not exactly sure what this surprise element will be, but trust me it will be great.
I hope you all enjoy this. I love being able to give back to you all. I only started blogging a couple of months ago, but it has been a fabulous journey. Getting my first reader comment was so exciting me to. I had to call everyone I knew and give them the great news that someone actually read what I wrote.
Thank you all for taking me in with open arms.
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I just found your blog from VAMH’s –
I would love to see designers use Facebook (and/or MySpace) to showcase their styles. I think that Photographers have done a good job of marketing on Facebook, by posting lots of photos of their shoots.
I think that designers could totally do the same thing with photos of rooms they have done up. As the age of those active on these social networking sites raises, this could drum up more business.
I just found your blog from VAMH’s –
I would love to see designers use Facebook (and/or MySpace) to showcase their styles. I think that Photographers have done a good job of marketing on Facebook, by posting lots of photos of their shoots.
I think that designers could totally do the same thing with photos of rooms they have done up. As the age of those active on these social networking sites raises, this could drum up more business.
Find great workrooms… the fabric does not have to be expensive but the workmanship does!
when you figure out the key to marketing for new clients please do share, ( i too am venturing out on my own!). however, today i scored at an antique store a faux bamboo chair (think Johnathan adler) for the sum of $32.00!!! i am frickin’ overjoyed. love the blog.
Hmm… not sure I have any good tips on drumming up business besides your fab blog here. Maybe show some mood boards of yours on your blog to show your style. Get a website and link it here and have lots of your blog buddies pass it around.
Now for something I love. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream. Great for dry skin, scrapes and chapped lips which I now have and wish I had some on hand right now. I must pick some up tomorrow since I can’t find my tube.
Ok High Heeled this is too funny. I just went to Half of VAMPs blog and saw her Twilight post and went to answer. You and I have the same fave line. So funny!
i’d love to start seeing some of your work around your house…show us what you have been up to at home 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Here’s my piece of advise, for what it’s worth: 1) Design a gorgeous business card. 2) Put it up on the bulletin board at the local bank! 3) Also, join your local Chamber of Commerce. Good Luck!
p.s…i LOVE the pantone cups!
That is exciting you are starting your own company! When I first started, I let different charities use my services in silent auctions, etc. That way your name was seen by everyone at the event and you were doing good at the same time. Also, the people who “win” you usually end up being regular clients. Good luck!!!!
Advice to a new business, is provide a “personal touch.” Develop a business practice or routine that works best for you and use that on each project. A lot of Faith and Action is what it takes. File folders labeled, invoices and tracking what you can get done in a day, setting up a time-line to do so. Remember to take time for you while you take care of others design or decor dilemmas with “solutions.”
Here is my advice to you: Have confidence in your abilities. You were given something very special- something that could not be taught to you. Don’t back down! You have a wonderful support system who wants you to succeed. I believe with you and know you will be wonderful.
(You don’t have to enter me in the contest. I just wanted to tell you that!)
Love, love, love your give-away items!! (I can’t participate b/c I Passed It On to VAMH.)
You’re a girl after my own heart. I mean, I have a binder full of paint chips and I dream about owning one of those paint sample fan decks. And I was thisclose to buying a set of white Foo dogs at Pier 1 the other day.*sigh*
Congrats on doing your own thing, I am also in the process but starting an invitation design business. Here’s my thoughts for getting yourself out there:
1. blogs! make one of those buttons and advertise like crazy.
2. Furniture shops – make beautiful cards and ask if you can display them in the shops.
3. Schools, auctions, charities – put your name out there and people will begin to recognize your talents!
good luck!
Amber
don’t be afraid to promote yourself…show us what you’ve done or where you want to go. Imagine you’re talking about another great designer and how fabulous they are–because you know how when you’re CRAZY obsessed about something you really gush about it- but, this time- it’s all about YOU.