Gift Therapist Surprise

Well, I just discovered that Jennifer Carota - the Gift Therapist - posted the RR segment on YouTube with an endorsement of the CADDi. She didn't tell me and I came to it by accident.
SO GREAT to have friends paddling along in the boat.
THANKS Jennifer!

The plant

Last weekend I attended another Ladies Who Launch intensive workshop.
It's always nice to get a kickstart in the company of others in the same boat.
At a LWL conference last spring we were each give teeny plants to take home...symbols of our young businesses. Each time I water or turn this plant I think of that - that I have to tend to my business with the same care and consistency. Look how it's grown! It's my favorite plant.

CADDi on the Road - or beach - or wherever?

This clip just makes me smile. The fact that my friend thought this through, did it and did it so nicely warms my heart.

I've added a spot on the CADDi site requesting that people post clips of their CADDi around the world.



I heard yesterday about a cool toy - the Flip. You can record a full hour and it has a USB connector, so goes straight into the computer. Here's a link to Amazon if you want one - I may have to break down.

CADDi Crafts.
I've also added a spot on the BARBCO site for people to send in images of crafty things they've done with their CADDis. I'll be curious to see what folks come up with.

Posted by Barb at 10:13 AM

Five-minute Marketing

5!

A few months ago I was having lunch with Ann Siegle from Tria Design. We were talking about just how much marketing a person could get done with little bursts. I'd been doing it, but hadn't thought of it as a method, but I started to. At her suggestion I started to consciously, in any work day, devote at least 5 minutes to marketing some aspect of my business life. Sometimes it turns into longer. I like the structure and the little nudge. It's like -"C'mon - you can do this - it's no big deal."

Ann does workshops on marketing and this reasonable/doable method.
You can see more about it here:
http://www.triadesignfirm.com/tips/fiveminutemarketing.html
in case you might like to schedule something for a group.

CADDi Fun Fact - TUPPERWARE

A customer just taught me something new...

CADDis work GREAT on Tupperware Sheerly Elegant 16oz Tumblers.

How fun is that?!

Capital Gains Article

Thanks Capital Gains, for the nice little piece.

Mixed Bag

As press always is, the RR spot was great, but a bit disappointing. The person showing it dropped one of the straps, but had the quick wits to note that it didn't spill. I had sent a few pointers to the show about the CADDi - one of which was that it does not hang from the wrist, but rather a finger. R put it on her wrist (this is an invitation for a raised arm and spilled liquid). They did show how to put it on the cup, which is GOOD. They could have shown someone carrying a bunch of stuff with the beverage, which would have been good.
Still - orders are coming in and hits on the Barbco site are WAY up. The link is on the RR site - all of which are VERY GOOD.

I feel so lucky that this came my way and am glad it's over.

Today I'm going to put together a piece about how to use the CADDi for the site.

CADDi in Aruba

This is my highly photogenic friend Karen who was kind enough to shoot and send this GREAT photo.

I'm a doofus

Just got a call from the Rachael Ray Show - they're getting the link ready for next week and checked my website out. I'd spelled Rachael Rachel. I'm still blushing. They were very nice about it and just said it'd be nice if I fixed it there.

They also said the segment went very well and the CADDi's really cute, so I'm feeling a little less anxious...you just never know when you're not there and there's no going back.

So...I'm going to have a nice quiet weekend and try not to stress myself out...do some clay firing and, if it warms up, maybe even a raku firing...and bake some bread - definitely bake some bread.

Another Contest

Can't hurt - might help.
I've entered another StartUp Nation contest...Leading Mom's in Business.
Once again, people can vote daily.
Click here to vote. I'd, of course, appreciate the support.
The winners will be based solely on the number of votes.
Entering is part of my 5-minute-a-day (thanks Ann Siegle) marketing plan...a little here, a little there.

How to prepare

The end of last week was all adrenaline, but the business reality is that I'm totally in the dark about what, if anything, may result from getting the CADDi on Rachael Ray. I did decide to order more of the two most popular designs, assuming that some orders will come out of it all. There will be a link on their site and they mentioned 15,000,000 people...a number I can't quite fathom.

The best part of this opportunity is awareness...breaching the user/buyer gap by letting people know what it is and how it works. Why would anyone order them if nobody uses them? How would someone come to use them if nobody carries them? This is that basic chicken/egg dilemma when introducing a new product. I'm hoping the RR spot will provide the carton.

It tapes tomorrow and I'm still nervous. Who knows how it'll be presented? I'm at their mercy.
Not sure yet when it will air.

Rachael Ray

I want this in writing. This is the day I got a call from the Rachael Ray Show. I've just boxed up CADDis to be shown on a "favorite things" episode to be taped next Monday.

Who knows what may or may not come of this, but it's a heck of a sense of validation. My heart is beating oddly and it's all a tad surreal.

I'll certainly post when it's supposed to air as soon as I know.

Back in the Saddle

For the past several months I've been on hold with the CADDi and trying to to get too nervous. A major player in the supply chain died suddenly. It was awful from both business and professional standpoints for other people with whom I work more closely. A new person had to be brought up to speed, reconnect and establish communication. There's been this long period of just-don't-ask-they're-doing-the-best-they-can during which time I have not been able to move. I no longer knew what my production costs or minimums would be. I dared not promote, because I wasn't sure if I had a product to promote.

All is right with the universe (at least this teensy bit of it) this morning. Pricing has stayed the same. I still have a 6,000 unit minimum per order, but the great news is that it can be broken down into 6 separate CADDi designs, so I can piggyback custom orders with my own needs for inventory - and offer custom of only 1,000 units.

This is the not-so-romantic side of being an entrepreneur. It does come down to money and numbers at some point.

I'm just excited to be starting the year knowing I have options and my systems are again in place.

It's a Glam Thing makes CADDi a favorite item

Thanks to Lisa Cocuzza for naming the CADDi on her site. She seeks and reports on fun glamorous goodies. The CADDi isn't exactly glamorous, but I accept the support!

May this be an interesting year. May we learn from what it brings us and ride the river with aplomb. There's nothing like having good friends for taking it all in stride!