Archive for April, 2007
As I’m getting ready to ship stuff out the door today, I thought that a post on shipping would be timely. I have found getting the shipping processes and supplies to be much more difficult than I anticipated. I think the difficult part is getting it organized so that it’s an efficient process, so that each package isn’t too time consuming. It seems like with each package we ship out, I find something else that needs to be done better, or more supplies we could use; something I think will make us look more professional.
Here are two good companies that are fast and reliable for shipping supplies:
The one thing that is driving me crazy is how the heck do you get the “This bag is not a toy. Do not leave unattended with children” warning onto all the little plastic bags that you ship out?? I’m now to the point where I’m assuming I have to ask ULine to print it on the bags I order, or maybe I have to get a stamp that works on plastic bags? Does ANYBODY know? It’s driving me crazy.
Otherwise, we’re getting it down. We’re to the point where we have all the labels and bags and boxes and tissue paper we need when it’s time to ship something.
The internet makes it nice to be able to print shipping labels from home and arrange for carrier pick-up. We have both of these options with UPS and USPS. I have lost faith in the USPS since our lost package, and I’ve been really unhappy with the local Fed-EX (I’ll only use them when a customer has specifically selected FED-EX shipping). I think my unhappinesss stems from the unhappiness of the employees at our local location, but it’s a miserable experience. UPS has been the best, by far.
I highly recommend you set up a shipping area in your office so that your shipping system can be organized and efficient. We’re working on ours, but that’s why I highly recommend it. It’s a pain not having everything in arms reach.
So, I’m off to pack and label packages. Have a good day everyone!
April 12th, 2007
Here we are again, just barely over two weeks out from a major event and I don’t feel prepared at all. The next two weeks will be a big crunch. As usual. It seems there is something “new” about each event. This is a retail & wholesale event, so we’ll have to be prepared for the cash ‘n carry aspect of the show.
Not to mention guestimating the right amount of product to have on-hand. Tomorrow we’ll have a status check meeting. I feel like I’m getting a lot more serious about running this business, by which I mean the admin aspects of it. Which are gruesome to me, but would be less-so if I just got it together. This is always the case though.
There is a lot of admin stuff to focus on for this event. Coupons and brochures, order forms and ready-receipts. I somehow need to figure out how much and exactly what we’ll bring for product. Our signature product, our personalized blankets, are easy. We just need the few display blankets, order brochures and gift certificates. It’s the headbands and graphic tees that we need to estimate.
There is really a lot of buzz around this event. Customers and acquaintances are asking us if we’ll be there, so that’s a good sign for advertising of the event. I need to get more excited about it. We have to figure out how we’ll get the kids covered for the weekend again. One of the issues of being in business with your life partner, the balance is usually awesome, but when an event like this comes up, the logistics are difficult.
I’m going to be a lot more consistent about posting too. I have so many aspects of the business that I need to get a grip on, from the advertising plan to the book keeping, so posting about it all as I go along will help me to keep it moving too.
April 11th, 2007
I disappeared last week due to being completely overwhelmed and completely dedicated to staying on course. I failed in ways, but made great leaps and bounds in others. I’ve been on a consistent, steady stream of sales appointments, my next of which I leave for in an hour. And it’s not even really with the buyer, and I can’t really get myself in the mood for it. So, I’m dedicating my next half-hour to getting myself grounded and getting myself “in it”. The most amazing hummingbird is hovering outside the window, and the over-grown milk-weeds have brought a bright yellow-breasted bird to perch.
Am I ready? I need a price list and a quick catalog. Get them printed up. Get them printed up. Plus, I have to get myself ready Which means I have no time to sit here dawdling about the birds and their colors. But its for precisely that which I’m yearning. A few moments that aren’t take up, gobbled in schedules and needs. I have to find those few moments for me.
They just aren’t these moments. Now it’s about going out and getting another sale; landing another location. Creating a new relationship.
April 2nd, 2007
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