Dear Melissa,

The Market is Up! I mean the furniture market. It was interesting because while traffic was down, the vendors I checked in with all said the orders being written were strong and they were very pleased. Not everyone is participating in the media event known as a recession.

Celebrity moments! I had the privilege of meeting Jaclyn Smith of former Charlie's Angels fame and also known as the mini-series queen. She launched her home line Jaclyn Smith Home and was very favorably received. It is well designed and stylishly coordinated for a wealth of lifestyles. The great price point will make her very popular!

The Chic Entrepreneur! Don't miss Elizabeth Gordon's upcoming book launch. She is not just a dear friend but an outrageously successful fellow entrepreneur who shares her secrets and tips for success in her new book. I'm proud to announce her launch and encourage all of you local Atlantans to come out on Friday, April 25 for her launch.

Live well, beautifully, and by design,

MG

"It is not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned. It is not what we intend but what we do that makes us useful. And, it is not a few faint wishes but a lifelong struggle that makes us valiant. "
~ Henry Ward Beecher
1813-1887, American Preacher, Orator, Writer

Create Your Own Economy: Do's and Don'ts

While I'm in the know, I stay in touch, abreast of the daily news, the markets and more, I've noticed that during this alleged and perceived downturn, there is a much more significant resistance amongst peers, business associates, and fellow entrepreneurs. We aren't participating in the bad news; we are creating our own economies.

Now, that isn't to say we aren't affected. We don't have our heads in the sand, instead we are looking forward, eyes wide open and taking advantage of opportunities created during this period to make needed changes. This is the ideal time to:

Do reassess your marketing message, method, and target.
Don't cut back on your marketing efforts during downtimes.

Do create a way to stay in touch with your buyers regularly.
Don't just send them an email when you want to sell or announce.

Do use creative methods that you might not have considered previously.
Don't be afraid to test more than one method or message.

Read the Rest of the Article Here!
 

Concierges Count!

Been awhile since I shared road trip details, and wanted to share this for those who attend large conferences and markets. I got my hotel a bit on the late side at 14 days out; this is late when you consider that most hotels/motels/no tells in the surrounding 20 mile radius sell out for High Point market. I felt lucky to get a property as respectable and convenient as the Greensboro Sheraton even if it was $190 a night plus all those taxes. My last stay was at a dismal motel in Winston-Salem and everything stunk of tobacco (consider the name!)

Traveler Tip: Book as soon as you know you are going! I knew in December but stalled.

I'd do it again as the room was pleasant (hey, I know it isn't The Ritz, but I wasn't looking for that this trip). Best of all I had a great reservations agent and when I got close while driving I realized that I was caught on an endless loop of I40 that goes nowhere and got an incredible concierge who camped on the phone with me until I had the hotel in site. (I have only one phobia folks! Get-lost-a-phobia and she got me through it.)