Basically what the article is saying that Sears is becoming more like Best Buy – a retailer whose been around for a while – and now is in trouble (or, should say, has been for a while) in this shaky economy.

Back a few years ago, in my retailing career, I used to work inside Sears’ Lands End. Let’s just say straight out – I hated Sears. Our Sears was always portrayed the same way – hot, very hot, and slightly uninviting. It was where the “older” crowd went. Sears was the place where the crowd walked through to get to the other side of the mall but never to really stop around and look. It wasn’t hip enough for 2/3rds of the mall goers.

Remember Montgomery Wards? This will be Sears in a couple of years. In my opinion, Sears isn’t making it as a large box store any more. They lack fashion and focus and they just can’t keep up with today’s market.

Now, I must say I haven’t been in a Sears in a while and haven’t even looked online to see what they have to offer — but I am saying this from experienced. As suggested in the article linked above, they should find focus in on their tool and housewares departments. Often when I think about Sears, I think about appliances, so?

Best Buy. Oh boy, Best Buy. Okay, so I admit we go to Best Buy to look around and possibly get something if it’s… NOT *any where else* if we need it like asap or if we come across a great, quick deal.

Best Buy is a repetitive box store that will soon be obsolete. Their prices are way too high and the online retailers are often the competitors (regardless of what people think about this). Do you have a list of electronics to get or dvds or accessories? Well, look online first at Amazon or NewEgg – boom! You’ve found a much better deal about half off or more. Need a computer fixed? Yep. Don’t go to Best Buy’s rip-off Geek Squad, go to someone local for a lower cost or for free. Seriously. If you’ve been going to get your computer fixed (or simply looked at) by Best Buy, you’re soooo getting ripped off.

Prices within retail need to reflect the economy. You’re in competition with a whole lot more companies when people have to scrape by and decide on where to spend. What will YOU do Best Buy or Sears to get customers to walk in and spend their money in YOUR store?

Fix your outdatedness. Change. Make more changes. Turn your companies around because soon.. you probably won’t be around to do much more.

For those who have kept up with this blog, even while I haven’t written here, bless you. Thank you for staying and thank you for reading. I’m going to certainly try to put out excellent articles from now on.

So, the big question of: where have I been?

I have been busy with working with being a part of a start-up company. I can see you nod your head there, yep! You totally understand why I had to abandon this blog. 

So here goes: I have been a part of the (start up) company I am working for since October. When I came to work with my boss, he wasn’t sure if it was going to be a small or big opportunity. It turned out (very quickly) that it was going to be something big. Lots of bits and pieces came together and fell apart then my husband came to work with us at the latter part Nov/Dec. And, it’s been full blast since.

Patience is a HUGE key part in someone revving up their own business from ground up. And, if you know me, I am not the patient one.

It took forever to find a building. Then, once we did, it took forever to set everything up (offices, rooms, construction on the building, trying to figure out the plans, phone system/Internet, shop and so on.)

While writing this, I have to take a step back to look at where we had been at “point a” and what obstacles we have climbed through just to get to this “point “b”.

Not really in any particular order. My thoughts:

1. First thing is first, if you have all opportunities knocking at your door (and on your side) to start up a business from scratch – IT IS SO WORTH DOING!!!!!!!!!!!!! You do NOT have to go in and clean up after someone, you can do it right the first time (if you do things right, that is) and if something doesn’t get done… guess who there is to blame? That’s when you will figure out what kind of worker you truly are.

2. You get to do things YOUR way. Yes, if you go in and partner with someone or several someones then you have to negotiate whatever it is – but still – you get to do things your way and if you don’t have a way you get to make up things as you go. I remember all of the company policies or having to do something “someone else’s way” and most times, they didn’t allow or acknowledge new creative point of views. It was frustrating as I have too much creativity and business-sense to follow someone else’s bad direction.

3. While looking for a retail/office space, you really need to know what all you are looking for in an office. Such as, we knew about how many offices we wanted, that we needed a huge garage area, showers, place for a retail store in the front and so on. My boss looked at several places before we were able to put bets on this one as “the one”. If you aren’t a tiny ounce sure it’s what you want, it’s not. Playing the waiting game isn’t fun for those involved (especially ME, who wanted to move into an office about 3 months ago). When you find the perfect place, you will know it.

4. When you think that you have the perfect employees, you might — but you might not. Be careful how you get the employees and that you do not destroy bridges that you might need later. Also, the perfect ‘pull in’ employee might not work out instantly but you might find the perfect one thereafter.

5. Have a plan. Then another, then be prepared to scratch that and make another plan. No plan you make will go accordingly to… as planned. You will have to rethink your strategy several times due to bubbles in your timeline of when things are supposed to be completed.

There are several pointers I’ve thought to myself about helping build a business and there’s too many to just include in an ‘welcome back’ – don’t want to overwhelm anyone!

We’re still at the beginning and it’s been a very cool and interesting ride so far. When we finally get our business open, I’ll update more along the way.

Now, I can officially say I helped close down a business (Goodys in 2008) and helped open a business this year.

Very cool!

After Pitchmen season one was over, everyone involved with Pitchmen (Sully, Arwen, etc) would post things about the ERA event going on in Vegas. People with products go there to pitch them to companies, it’s also a GREAT networking source, as well. (And, it always been in my (and my husbands) interest to go to that event… one day!) 

While in my divine on-going interest of this event, at the time, Livemercial was around and I was lucky enough to be talking with some of the insiders like PitchToThePros. They were amazingly patient with me when I told them “HEY tell so n so I said HI!” or “What’s going on?! What product is that? Who is that?” .. and so on. I had a lot of fun learning about that. LM would have a long list of little clips where Jennifer Crawford would host the product and find out what it does and everything.

Not only did I find some amazing friends on Twitter by looking up the product found on those videos, but I found some amazing friends AFTER the show, before the second season, after the second season and when I started this website (and when people found me via my personal site talking about Pitchmen).

Now, with Christmas being around the corner, the following items listed below are GREAT gifts to give!

During the ERA event, I found these friends (with products):

PORTAPOCKET – Kendra  - I’ve been following her since day one after seeing her on that Livemercial video. Her website is www.portapocket.com. Her product is used to replace having to put your cell phone/credit cards/keys in your bra if you don’t have pockets and don’t want to carry a purse. It is also wise to have if you are traveling in dangerous areas that you may end up getting your purse stolen, you definitely don’t want to have your phone/credit cards stolen. If you go to her website – she has a blog and can be found via Facebook and Twitter. You can also order the product via her website.

CELLY SMELLYS – Jessica – Celly Smellys are cleaning wipes for your phone, or can be used to wipe any personal electronic device (as recommended). They come in 4 scents, as seen on her website www.cellysmellys.com. You can order via her website or buy at various places (you can find those places on her about page). CellySmellys was just offered a spot at Burlington Coat Factory a little while back, so go look for it! Like all, you can also find her updates on Facebook and Twitter.

SASSAB – Tracy – I have been following Tracy for a long time. From the beginning she’s had products and talked about them, but we finally got to see one of her products come out about a few weeks ago. SassaB – the newest and hottest trend for kids/teens! It’s linkable charms for your hair. www.sassab.com You can actually purchase her product via Amazon.com. She’s also on Twitter/Facebook, so look for her! This item, in particular, is the AMAZING stocking stuffer for your teen/pre-teen/or little girl! They will LOVE IT. :D

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BANOODLE – Tania – I haven’t talked to Tania in a while, but her product was AMAZINGLY clever! You place the BaNoodle on the bag, roll it up and clamp the sides in. And, wah-lah – the food will say fresh and closed! This product was introduced on Pitchmen Season 2 but was sold on HSN with Sully pitching it. I’m not really sure what’s going on with this product right now, all I know is that I love both of the ones that I have! We roll up our chips with them and they DO stay more fresh than with the flimsy chips clip!

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FAN*NY SEAT – Becky – She doesn’t have a product out in stores but she has a prototype. I’ve been friends with her for quite some time, and have enjoyed talking about Pitchmen Season 2 and Shark Tank with her! It’s also amazing to be able to see some of the stuff she’s doing and following her story along to getting her product out on the shelves. I sure wish her the best of luck – as you know, it’s never over.

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ZIP N HANG – Dorota –  I also haven’t talked to Dorota in a very long time either, but see that she’s getting along well via her FB. She found my other website (www.karenmaeby.com) when I had the full list of Pitchmen products up, she left me a comment, and she told me about her product. I’m very glad she did. What is this Zip N Hang? Her product replaces the hook that you put a wreath on, or any other items you hang off the door. Her product does NOT damage the door like other products would. Buy 3 get 1 for free, $12.99 up on her website www.zipnhang.com GO NOW!

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(Disclaimer: the above list are only of friends with products, I have made so many more friends that’s IN the industry without products, that only pitch them or are just friends of the show. So if I forgot you, I’m sorry! Plus, as you can see, I go on marketing sprees and like to market my friends when I get a chance every few months!)

Having said the above, I am ALWAYS looking for new and more inventors/products/business/entrepreneurs to follow. If you have suggestions, please let me know.

ALSO, even in my already busy schedule, I am looking for people who need help with their business or product – mainly ones who need advice. I WANT TO HELP YOU! I had an epiphany the other day regarding something that I want to do in the future and this will help me gain on evidence that it will work. I’m always going to be real with you, I don’t like anything less than that.

What makes me credible to help you? I have had four years of retail experience (4 stores, 1 year of management at 2 different stores), so I know the backhand of how retail AND business works. I was an eBay seller and administration for a guy who owned his own business for two years. And now, I am the Vice President, marketer and administration of the current company I’m working for – SDSkis. (I am also making my own brand with my name Maeby – as a published author, photographer, designs, blogging and anything else I can get my hands into doing. I am currently selling on eBay myself.) Over many years, I have studied and practiced (on my own and some in school) these subjects: writing, graphic design, photography, selling (as far as hands-on retail, other jobs), business math, marketing, business in itself, direct response industry and so on.

There’s a lot of things I keep up on with practice and reading. I have a lot to offer you just based up on my knowledge, so please give me a chance to help you! (Yes, for free.)

Need advice for your product? Let me know. Have questions about marketing? Let me know. Don’t know if your product is already out there or if it will stand out? Let me help you.

I’m here, even if I’m busy, I’m here – because I’m nice and that (what I’m offering you) is what I like to do.

Help me help you.

Feel free to leave me a message here if you need help!

(PS – please recommend me to anyone you may know in need of help, as well!)

Branding is a way of marketing and if you can’t market your brand correctly, then you’re pretty much going down fast.

A couple of weeks ago while coming up with plans on developing ideas further, I wrote down that we needed a tag line. One that will catch someone’s eye or make them sing a jingle in their heads that make them remember us. By accident, I came up with the tag line the other day while mapping out the sticker that I’m going to make for our boxes. It might be cheesy, but it’s completely smart and will make people remember us.

As I read a LOT of magazines, articles and watch a LOT of shows that talk about marketing, direct response, writing, business and law…all of which helps what I’m doing, I am taking note of the most important ideas and basing my “to do this” upon that.

To me, the logo must be nice enough to always keep and never change. People build trust, when something as small as the logo changes, then boom…your company has an issue.

Customer service is the biggest branding, ever. Treat your customers well. Let them have several ways of contacting you, and work deals with them. The more you help them get what they want, the more they’ll be coming back to you in the future. They might also suggest people to you.

Give out free items with your logo on it. Even though people may toss it aside after they’ve used it a while, it may help in the future.

While thinking of this, I keep thinking of branding myself. It’s difficult because I’m trying to focus on the work (our) business is doing but trying NOT to lose focus on my brand… even though I am doing that, sadly.

PITCHMEN ENTHUSIAST was supposed to be a brand a part of “Karen Maeby” representation, KAREN MAEBY [dot] COM was supposed to represent me as a whole and MAEBYS TREASURES is also a part of “Karen Maeby” representation but ONLY for selling items and eBay-focused business. Yes, I have a lot going on.

What I wanted to do with my brands?

I wanted this blog (PE) to be so business-focused and I wanted to be known for it. That hasn’t happened yet because I haven’t had the chance to write an entry every day and find lots of people’s business blogs to comment on. I wanted it to actually be focused on the direct response industry but then have topics of everything.

“Karen Maeby Bates” brand was focused solely around writing and photography and anything artsy. I wanted people to KNOW me by my writing instantly and photos with my name on it has to speak poetry without the words. I put “Maeby” on my work because… (here we go with the tag line) ‘It’s never yes or no, it’s always Maeby’ or ‘Maeby, yes or no.’ No other one person has the name of Karen Maeby. People WILL remember that name because it’s unique. My work is also unique (only because I fight to do things difficult and the hard way but it always turns out the best). Not to mention, the whole pirate theme with me (21st century meets vintage pirate hooker/old soul). People will remember me if I am unique enough to the eye, mind and soul.

Maeby’s Treasures (which actually used to be ‘likemybooty’) – I changed because I wanted “Maeby” in the title. While my main site is pirate-themed, ‘treasures’ is also under that category, so it only makes sense. I want the unique part of my name on something that I’m selling so I can develop those customers and my brand.

Now that I’ve said all of that, I’ve found two fonts to represent me (one business, one fun). I’m making logos (or headers) and trying to stick with it. I’m trying to make schedule to keep writing, I will have business cards some time to promote. I already have a book out, all of my photography is out on sites with my name on it (and more to come), I am trying to develop more design with my name (like, sketches, clothing, etc) and other things. I already have a good base on eBay.

While helping build our brand for work, I’m trying to make following examples for my own stuff. It’s coming out good. I’ve redesigned the banner on this website, on KarenMaeby.com and I do have a new template/banner on my eBay one.

One step at a time….

But, in the meantime, I knew what I want and I knew that I would get it some how. Today, and the last few days, I have been given some news that could possibly change mine (and Dan’s) life for a good little while. I don’t really want to discuss any details upon private matters, not really open for discussion and keeping tightly sealed lips. With having said that, I can tell you that this is going to be a positive thing going forward in my career.

I have come to find out that waiting it out has paid off.

I already knew that… hard work pays off AND miracles don’t happen over night because it takes a good little few couple of YEARS to make the money wanted in a business. But, being very patient and believing and working hard.. yep, it pays off. Or, will pay off eventually.

I have always put faith in small businesses and love them above corporate. I’m 100% for little mom and pop shops and pushing to keep those alive in the 21st century, although they were fancier decades back. As you all know – I’ve been supporting entrepreneurship for a couple years now after having met some of the BEST people I know that works in that and the DR industry.

My love for the direct response industry and PITCHMEN alone has brought me up to speed with being ahead of a lot of people in business. Today, I was told that I was very smart in the business area. THAT makes me happy because I have 0 college degrees regarding business, and not only that, but I was music/English major in college… and I didn’t even finish college or leave with a degree. Sometimes, I wish I had a degree in English so I can professionally write, but, I do not at all regret not finishing school.

The DR industry is MORE than just a favorite thing. It is a part of me, it has helped me grow intelligently and I am very thankful that I do know quite a few people from there. It IS a passion.

When I watch Pitchmen or any other business show like that (Dragon’s Den, Shark Tank and even the Pawn Stars-type shows), I study them. I study what’s going on, how they presented it, the information given, what kind of a product, if it’s going to do any good, the business plan and what the ending result is. I watch everything and take note of it. People may assume I’m crazy just because I keep mentioning my favorite shows or ALWAYS watching it. Not only that, but, those shows are the motivation to keep me going and believing in what can happen. Hey, my favorites are MAKING IT because they “MADE IT” — so. can. I!

With every note I take, I become that much more knowledgable about the subject of ‘business’ overall – no matter the subject. I then know what to do or what not to do. That’s why I do business carefully, that’s why I like to break down all of the barriers and see everything. That’s why I question all that I do… and so on.

And, I have always kept my days of retail in the back of my mind as HUGE examples of “what not to do” – ever. It’s not about policy anymore, it’s about what the customer wants and what’s easier on them. Contact if there’s a problem and work it out to solve it. Simple, if you go about it the way you’re supposed to.

With all of that being said, there’s just a huge chance that I will be a part of something good and great and incoming in the near future. Like I said above, I don’t want to talk about it too much to jinx it…but, I have a feeling it’s going to be good and I will unfold it all here as I am allowed to.

I owe a huge simple thank you (for indirectly teaching me my now knowledge) to: {Billy Mays, RIP} – Sully, Arwen, John, AJ, Kevin, Terri, Tom, Tracy, Jen, Lou, Sug, Daymond, Becky, B3 — and EVERYONE ELSE of the Direct Response Industry (SulProd, Telebrands, TV Goods,etc.), entrepreneurs and small business owners. YOU GUYS ROCK and thank you for the support you all have shown me, as well.

Tracy’s blog has always been PRODUCT X. Well, she took the time to write about her journey as a creator of this product and shared her ups and downs with us (and she’s still doing that – sharing her journey after releasing a product).

So, what is her product? Here is SassaB. You can actually order online Amazon.com just search for SassaB or find the link on her website. For $17.98 you get four charms, 2 rubberbands with link and 2 bobbypins with link.

SassaB: linkable charms that you can link on hair accessories, belts, shoes and so on.

The main gist of it is unique and to “create your own style”.

This IS the next hottest trend for kids and pre-teens! Please go buy your children some of these! GREAT stocking stuffers!

If your child likes being unique and wants to be THE trend setter in school, this IS the perfect gift!

So many things that would have been money losers then can be profitable today.

When you run your own concert, selling tickets online and renting the theatre out yourself, you might be able to keep 85 cents of every dollar your audience spends on a ticket. In the system we grew up with, by the time the box office, Ticketmaster, the stagehands, the promoters and everyone else takes a cut, you might end up with literally nothing.

Or consider a hardcover book that costs $20. By the time the bookstore keeps half, the publisher keeps a share for the risk she takes, and don’t forget shipping and returns… there might only be $2 left for the author. With an ebook, the author might keep as much as $14 a copy… More if he hosts the store and sells it as a PDF.

A hairdresser with direct relationships with customers can give up the storefront location and make more money by charging less and cutting the hair in her home.

A newspaper can happily support a few reporters and an ad guy if it gives up the paper, the offices and the rest of the trappings.

Too often, we look at the new thing and demand to know how it supports the old thing. Perhaps, though, the question is, how does the new thing allow us to think skinnier. – SETH GODIN

The above text has been taken from Seth Godin’s blog – as quoted his full entry. The reason I’m posting the full entry here is because there wasn’t a way to just quote part of it, since it’s so important.

Everyone KNOWS all about the above paragraph….but life just goes on without stopping to really realize it. It’s just the way it is.

Knowing that I didn’t have the money to hire a publisher when I published my book, I did it for free in Amazon – Kindle store. They only take a small percentage of what I make. It cuts out the middle man, however, it also cuts out the majority of the world actually SEEING my book because I have no marketing team other than myself and… just me, myself and I can’t do it all.

I have always wanted to make it as an independent author – just for the fact that I wanted my money, the money I deserved because *I* wrote the book, *I* put the hard work into it. And, who knew, people still want actual books – therefore, selling a bunch of kindle copies is pretty much out of the question for the group of family and friends I’m associated with.

Unfortunately, it’ll be a while before I can do an actual paper or hardback book because it’s expensive to get the ISBN number. So, selling eBooks is my only way right now.

And also, right now, where I’m working is at someone’s house. He has a “storefront” — it’s called his own house. He does not pay for a shop, just mortgage or what have you. He uses Craigslist, I sell his stuff via eBay. What we rock out by selling or promoting is the jobs that we get or products that we sell. We’re saving money by taking advantage and being smart about it. We are also doing it right the first time, that way, we will hook those customers and they will keep coming back — as well as telling others about us.

In Seth Godin’s blog entry : when you really think about it, if you do cut out the middle man… you’re cutting a ton of people out of the picture and a lot of people will then lose jobs. We are all needed somehow, and we just need to make it work.

I’m also mainly partial to independent musicians, authors, artists and the entrepreneurs.  They do it all. They are the superhero men and women. They create, they market, they produce, they do everything to make their product become popular or sold or what have you. There are a few middle men involved, but, those are there for good measure — to make life a lot easier and better for one.

But, it only takes a certain group of people do all that. That’s why there’s that much needed middle ground where the middle man plays the part.

The world can’t work on creation or innovation without everyone’s help.

Let me just start by saying how tired I am of changing banks. A few months after moving to Florida, I got a letter about BB&T charging for services if one doesn’t meet the criteria of keeping x amount of money in as well as x amount of direct deposit. As you all know, I had been unemployed for quite some time so… I didn’t make fit for any of that.

I closed that account with BB&T and then opened another one with Suntrust. Dan and I both have a joint account for Suntrust. We’ve used that to store our money for the move and then now our money to celebrate our 1 year in October. So, I went there.

Opened up an account a few months back with Suntrust, oh say, a few months LATER… I get a letter from them stating they were not only going to charge if I don’t have a certain amount in the bank BUT ALSO charging for use of a debit/credit card (the check card). Hmph. So, that doesn’t take effect until November, but I have been on the search since a month ago for a new bank that still allows free checking without all of those unnecessary fees.

The other day Dan and I were driving on US19 and saw First Bank from the highway. So that’s when I decided to check them out, I looked online and sure enough they still have free checking. Today I went and opened an account with them.

The service was wonderful, very helpful. I’ve opened so many bank accounts already that everything is pretty much the same minus give or take a few rules. Anyway, we signed papers – everything was a-go- and then I left.

When I got home, I listened to my message on the phone that the person helping me had forgotten to make a copy of my driver’s license and sign a few more papers.

I had no issue with driving back because I was going to be going back to US19 after lunch, anyhow.

When I came in, I was still treated like a Queen (like i had been the whole time while in there). They offered me coke or water because I had to come back. I turned them down because I was going to Starbucks. Then, they proceeded to give me a First Bank coffee cup thingy and a First Bank pen.

I was like ‘wow what just happened?!’

I was just shocked that they were pushing offering me something for my trouble of coming back. I mean, I know it’s just right around a corner, but damn! Great service, I’m impressed.

So if anyone needs to have a FREE checking account, they are definitely where it’s at. Their bank locations are around Pinellas County, just look them up online and you can see more.

This is pretty much the first time I’ve ever experience this. It all goes back to my love of a smaller business, anyway. With a smaller business, you have the time to dedicate to each customer and the chance to KEEP each customer by giving them a great experience each time. It’s unfortunate that the bigger businesses are carried by money signs in their eyes – giving them the unfocussed point of what the customer wants. Small businesses need your business, so they are going to be less selfish in ways that bigger businesses (corps) will be.

Let’s just mention that all of the ideas I wrote on, had some significance in my life and I could relate. Before getting into the final summary, I have to mention this:

He talked about Philadelphia – where most of the stories took place, anyway. He mentioned streets I had heard of, he mentioned The Bourse, which is totally one of my favorite places IN Philly. He mentioned two people that I greatly admire from history – Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin. He mentioned being in St Petersburg, FL (and that’s currently the area of where I’m at).

I learn the most and gain more from reading non-fiction. This is his advice about ‘selling’ – coming from his OWN personal failures or successes. He walked the steps and guides us in the right direction to find ours. I love this. It’s his story. It’s non-fiction. It’s fact.

He ended his book with Franklin’s Thirteen Subjects. He says to make your own thirteen subjects that you need to study, study one each week for thirteen weeks and wash/repeat until you become excellent in that area.

He taught us that no matter how the failure or failure after one another, to always pick yourself up and continue. To not be afraid of failing, to focus on what you need to learn to become better, to study your traits on how to become better. To just learn.

He wrote actual conversations he had or others had and demonstrated them to explain what he meant by each subjected chapter.

What else do you need?

Overall, just such an excellent book. Covers so much information but not enough to make you forget. He has nice little pointers at the end of each chapter and a large summary at the end of each part. It’s pretty much ‘hey, here is the pointers of which you need to focus on’.

Please grab a copy and read it when you can. My previous entries discuss further into some of the pointers in the chapters, if you’d like to read that for more information or for my input.

Thank you for reading!