A couple of weeks ago, on a Tuesday afternoon, I received a direct message on Instagram and here’s what it said:
“Hi Monica, it’s (more…)
How Sam the Plumber Stopped my Waterworks
How I Became Friends with My Mom
I love spending time with my Mom. I love taking her on the road with me, traveling together, cottage weekends, shopping together, working together and enjoying meals with a nice glass of wine together.
Was it always this way? Ummmm no!
Many of my (more…)
All it takes is a simple introduction . . .
“Is there anything better than watching a woman succeed?”
These are the words of my friend Mindy Tweedle. I met Mindy a few years ago. She runs her own Video Production Company. She helps businesses to tell their story. Mindy also provides media training – just one of her many offerings.
I went to Mindy a few years ago because (more…)
The Glory Days
This Easter weekend I decided to go back to my roots in my business. I thought it would be kind of nice to participate in a local craft show. When I first started making my julz in 1992 I would exhibit in about 25 craft shows a year. It was a great way to get my name out there. Since unique hand-made items were not available on line, there was no Etsy or even Internet, it was the place to be on the weekend! People would come out in droves and admire all of the items that artisans worked so hard to create. I would exhibit in Burlington one weekend and London the next and sometimes see the same people shopping at both shows. I’m telling you, it really was a “thing”. Most weekends all of us crafters would walk away with a couple of thousand dollars in sales. I knew so many crafters who were able to make this their living. They’d work hard all week building inventory and do a different craft show every weekend.
Why do People Stay in Abusive Relationships?
Imagine if you never looked forward to coming home at the end of the day. If the person you lived with had severe mood swings, called you names, swore at you, threw things and maybe even hit you.
This is a reality that too many people live with. Both women and men will stay in abusive relationships for a bunch of different reasons. These reasons are important to recognize, they explain why we should never look in as an outsider and judge the victim.
Life Goes On
I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. I stick to my processes and make sure that the goals I set for myself and glamjulz get completed no matter what I have to do. When life takes over and I can’t go along with my original plans, let’s just say I get a little twitchy.
From Stubborn to Purposeful
In all of my studies about being a successful business person, there is one topic that comes up over and over again.
We are strongly advised to “Listen to our customers and give them what they want.”
Over the years I have received special requests from people in terms of custom designs and alterations to existing jewelry pieces. For me, it has been challenging to get to the root of what I can do to make my business better for my customers. Everyone is so encouraging and I get way more positive feedback than feedback about something that might be lacking.
Who’s got your back?
First of all I hope everyone had an incredible International Women’s Day, I felt particularly spoiled this year. Starting with the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. What a fabulous night! I was honoured to be amongst carefully selected nominees who were comprised of a group of women whose life’s work has been to change the world for the better! The winners radiated like beams of light. All so humble in their acceptance speeches and crediting all of their fellow nominees proudly holding their awards in their trembling hands. We all felt pretty special and proud of the company we were in!
Are you ready for the One of A Kind Spring Show?
It always surprises me when I tell people that I’m getting ready for the spring One of A Kind show and their response is : “What? They have a spring show too?”
There has been a spring show since March of 1979. That’s 40 years already! Can you believe it?
Magical Thinking
I’m sitting here on my couch right now. It’s gloomy outside and that wind is really picking up. Boink is all snuggled up beside me and I barely made it out of my PJ’s today.
We sure have been hit hard with winter this year, haven’t we? I always find that the most frustrating part is making plans and having to reschedule or even worse, cancel in the last minute because of the weather. Let’s face it, you have to be an incredibly positive person to stay happy when the weather keeps beating you down.
