There's been travel to new places, cultivating new friendships, enjoying amazing experiences...what a summer!! 2012...... grandbabies new and to be......and life goes on and on and on. That's what it's all about no? Well....the on and on and on part maybe is a little iffy nowadays, so........enjoy it, cherish each moment, learn new things always, stay current and D..O..N..'T stop......ever. That's just me...I'm not preaching. Honest!
Lacy hangs in there, as do I. We're so simpatico it's beyond anything I can comprehend. What you ask? Simpatico with A DOG??
Not me..I won't get attached..I'm too busy. I'm too involved with my children, my work, my life......I'm, I'm, I'm............in LOVE with this soft, warm, energetic little being...
That WAS me, 14 years ago, when Lacy first came into our lives. She was the dog of my youngest daughter, Emily. A bribe to smooth over the fact that at age 12 we snatched her away from her friends and all she knew in California, because once again, we got the urge to be back in good old NY, where the sun wasn't a constant and valley-girl speak was replaced by Nu Yawk-ese. Guilty as charged! So, it was theater camp, new clothes, and a puppy. It all worked......at the time.
Then she grew up.....moved on, but I refused to let the warm puppy, then 6 years old, go off to college with her. Bad enough she was spawning the empty nest phase of our lives, but the dog too??? That I hadn't counted on.
Lacy wobbles, increasingly. I pick her up at times because I just feel like she's so very tired she can't be bothered moving. I hold her close to my heart to feel hers fluttering in little pup tempo, secure in knowing it’s working properly. Although I find myself talking to people about how they deal with the loss of a pet, the idea still remains abstract to me, since I'm unable to wrap my mind around such a thing just yet. But it’s probably just the subconscious me trying to prepare the conscious me for the inevitable. And that's all I can say.
I'll let her rest now. No more fittings, no more appearences at charity events modeling Lollypups Petwear. We're both going to put the business on hold for a bit. Me to work and actually make some money, and Lacy to just sleep.....sweet girl.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Down to our last dollar.....
I knew having a business was going to be a challenge. Designing the collection, fitting patterns, choosing fabrics, yarns and colors and setting up the website and business strategy was a breeze. Maintaining it by myself however was another matter altogether. The the sweaters were unique and well received but the price point was too high at first, so I lowered it in order to compete and still make a profit. I created special incentives during pet events which worked out well too. However, my lifestyle has slowly shifted off task, and new demands have slipped in. For the first time in the five years since working at Liz Claiborne, there is a demand for my textile design services and I find myself gladly making a living once again. I always said I'd give the business five years. It's been three years of struggle (mostly monetary) and I also have to admit, my sales person skills are very poor, clearly not a good trait for an entrepreneur.
I had a friend living in NY who was happy to rep the line, but she moved to California and was basically the only one I felt comfortable with and trusted. Another bad trait I found out about myself. Control freak.
I'm fearful of getting into debt at this stage of our lives, so borrowing money is not an option. My seed money was a good kick off but I had hoped that sales would replenish it along the way. It barely covered the development costs, and advertising, a huge expense, did not work at all. I placed ads in Doggie Aficionado magazine, sent out over 250 postcards to pet boutiques and spas all over the country. I followed the advice of other business owners and even set up a "store" on etsy and Artsy Dog.
No sales what so ever from those resources. I was more successful with the hands-on sales than the
on-line ones though I did get some. It makes sense though, since the quality of the yarns and the richness of the colors can be more appreciated when seen and felt in person.
So I've been back to freelancing as a textile designer and am happy with that, as I always was. Working steadily (a good thing) has kept me from doing any more for the business than updating the website, donating sweaters to shelter events, and participating in one or two of them, for the price of a table. Mainly to keep the brand alive. Though I haven't designed during the summer, I still sketch ideas in my overstuffed swatch book and keep abreast of what people are buying for their pets in the way of apparel as well as attend trade and fabric shows to stay on top of current fashion trends. This part of it all is something I truly enjoy. Too bad it's now become more of a hobby than a business.
But all is not glum and morose. For one thing, Lacy is still around and happy not to have to be the
spokes mongrel any more. I was blessed with another beautiful grandson this month, we did some traveling over the summer and my creative juices are still flowing rapidly so when the time is right, there will be more Lollypups petwear to create. I can't complain really, I can just re-evaluate my strategy, figure out what I've done wrong, make it right and keep on trucking.
Along with the disappointments, comes contentment and serenity. Not that bad a place to be really.
Peace.
I had a friend living in NY who was happy to rep the line, but she moved to California and was basically the only one I felt comfortable with and trusted. Another bad trait I found out about myself. Control freak.
I'm fearful of getting into debt at this stage of our lives, so borrowing money is not an option. My seed money was a good kick off but I had hoped that sales would replenish it along the way. It barely covered the development costs, and advertising, a huge expense, did not work at all. I placed ads in Doggie Aficionado magazine, sent out over 250 postcards to pet boutiques and spas all over the country. I followed the advice of other business owners and even set up a "store" on etsy and Artsy Dog.
No sales what so ever from those resources. I was more successful with the hands-on sales than the
on-line ones though I did get some. It makes sense though, since the quality of the yarns and the richness of the colors can be more appreciated when seen and felt in person.
So I've been back to freelancing as a textile designer and am happy with that, as I always was. Working steadily (a good thing) has kept me from doing any more for the business than updating the website, donating sweaters to shelter events, and participating in one or two of them, for the price of a table. Mainly to keep the brand alive. Though I haven't designed during the summer, I still sketch ideas in my overstuffed swatch book and keep abreast of what people are buying for their pets in the way of apparel as well as attend trade and fabric shows to stay on top of current fashion trends. This part of it all is something I truly enjoy. Too bad it's now become more of a hobby than a business.
But all is not glum and morose. For one thing, Lacy is still around and happy not to have to be the
spokes mongrel any more. I was blessed with another beautiful grandson this month, we did some traveling over the summer and my creative juices are still flowing rapidly so when the time is right, there will be more Lollypups petwear to create. I can't complain really, I can just re-evaluate my strategy, figure out what I've done wrong, make it right and keep on trucking.
Along with the disappointments, comes contentment and serenity. Not that bad a place to be really.
Peace.
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