Tag Archives: small business

Updates and changes…

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Sweet Home Chicago gift package in new gift box!

Sweet Home Chicago gift package in new gift box!

So much has changed since I last blogged with regularity.

  • My Gorilla post  about depression was published on Huff Post and shared thousands of times.  It was even published in the NAMI magazine.  I continue to get positive feedback as it slowly spreads and helps people effectively communicate how they are feeling.
  • BasketWorks became BasketWorks, Inc.   For anyone not sitting at my desk there are absolutely no changes.  Well, my business card changed, but only a little.  From this side of the desk, there is more paperwork and many, many questions directed to my account and lawyer.   I am glad they are patient with me!
  • I designed a new theme gift box for our Chicago gift packages.  I am really tickled with how they came out!  Keep your eyes here for a new Chicago Tote bag – also a BasketWorks design.  We are working on getting them made now!
  • I’ve joined the National Concierge Association.  A professional association of Concierges and the businesses that work with them, being accepted to this organization was quite an honor for me.
  • We are bringing back our paper newsletter.  We plan on publishing quarterly – some reprints of blog posts, some new material.  Please send me your snail mail address if you would like to be added to our list.
  • My eldest son is already a sophomore at Knox College and absolutely loving every moment of it.  This tiny school has proven to be the exact right fit for this kid who definitely marches to his own drummer!
  • My younger son completed his Eagle Scout this summer and has grown taller than me.  He loves picking me up and toting me around the house.

I am sure there is more, but I am going to go with this…under the promise to blog twice a week, I don’t want to bog myself down with seeking perfection.

Well….

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Well, I’ve been gone for quite awhile, but I am back again.    I am told that blogging is beneficial in a myriad of ways:

  • It is good for sharing my assorted thoughts and ideas.   I enjoy streams of consciousness  as much as anyone, but that is a scary thought,  I am reasonably confident that you don’t want to know what is going on in there.  Trust me on this one.
  • It is good for increasing traffic to my website.  I haven’t seen that, but then again, I haven’t kept up my end of the bargain with keeping this blog current.   So given that, it isn’t fair of me to make a determination one way or the other.
  • It is good for creating a relationship with my readers.  Now this I take objection to.  I just cleaned out over a thousand comments for this blog.  Every single one was from a spammer – not exactly the readership I am seeking.  That said, they do think I am pretty fabulous – check out these quotes;

“Everyone will cherish this release, it’s most valuable.”   There are variations on this telling me that “everyone will enjoy this piece.”

“This really is nice compose, I will shaire the idea for this frinds”  Occasionally I have “nice produce” but for some reason, “frinds” is always misspelled the same way.

  • It is a great way to introduce folks to new designs and to make special offers to readers.  I think this falls into the same category as my second item above.

I promise to do a better job at updating and posting, aiming for twice a week.   I just hope that I am not alone out here with the people who seem to be obsessed with outlet prices on bags and sunglasses!  ( I am sure they are very nice people, but I’m not so sure they are looking for anything that I have to offer).

In any event, all this said, I will see you again early next week – let me know if you are here!

Lise

And now comes the crazy…..

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Its the last week of October.  In my land, that means the crazy is now upon us.   The work week starts stretching from 5 days to 6 to 7.   The work day stretches from a 9 hour day to 12 to 15.  Meals get skipped.  I start watching the Waltons, Little House on the Prairie and The A Team – favorite quote: “I love it when a plan comes together.”

And you know what?

I love every minute of it.

It is crazy.  It is stressful.  It is physically and emotionally exhausting.  I love every minute of it.  Ok, maybe not every minute…11pm, I’m closing in on not loving it so much.  December 23rd I’m about done.   But generally speaking this is my time.

So come ride the wave with me.  Over the next several weeks I will be posting some of my new designs, as well as information on new programs we are starting – I hope that something catches your eye.

Smiles!

Lise

We’re Hiring!

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help wanted

 

Know someone in the Northbrook area looking for a flexible part-time job?   We are looking for a self-directed, hands-on individual to build, package and ship gift packages for our growing business.

The position is for 20-25 hours per week, and includes stocking product, managing inventory (receive, track, organize), shipping packages, building some standard packages, local deliveries, filing, light cleaning and the occasional personal assistant duty.   The primary requirement is a willingness to work and follow the directions – I can teach the rest!

We run a serious business, but I am flexible with employee’s hours and days – I will work around college schedules, school schedules, volunteer schedules…..lets talk.   We are looking for a permanent employee, so folks home for the summer from college are not a good match.

Caveats – the job is standing 95% of the day, going up and down stairs multiple times a day.  We carry around boxes – usually around 15 lbs, but can be as heavy as 30 lbs.  There are 2 dogs and a cat on premises, as well as teenagers.

Interested?  Call me at 847-559-9379 or pop me an email at info@basketworks.biz.  Please forward, share and otherwise distribute this to those you know!

Smiles!

Lise

International Housewares Show

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This coming weekend I will be attending the International Housewares Show at McCormick place.  I love this show for so many reasons.  There is a Gourmet Food section, which lets me find new products. There is the tabletop area – fun mugs, teapots, trays, bowls – I always find something that I want to try as an alternative container for a gift package.  The organization area – I am both organized and terminally messy.  I describe my workshop as an organized disaster and despair of ever being able to keep my desk neat.  The electronics area  – a few years ago there was a massage chair in this area that wrapped around you – you felt like you were being swallowed by the chair, but I can’t deny that the massage felt great.

That said, this year I have another reason to be excited to attend – I will be doing one on one consulting to small business owners on “Planning for Profits.”   This is the second year that I am doing this, but last year I was a last minute fill in for someone who had to cancel.  Apparently my ratings were good and I was invited back this year for another round.  I find this to be incredibly satisfying – I’ve received so much help from others in my business that I can never fully repay, this allows me to pass those gifts forward.  And I have found that I really enjoy one on one consulting with other small businesses.    So win-win.

So, should you be coming to the Housewares Show, I still have some open slots – you can sign up here.  Or, just pop me an email and let’s try to connect for lunch or a quick meeting.  For those of you not in the industry, keep your eyes here for my report(s?) on all my finds or let me know if you want me to find something for you!

Smiles!

Lise