7/1/2009
The BEST Surprise!
5/24/2009
KatiWalkerArt.com
2/1/2009
The Baby's Bundle...
11/23/2008
You Have To See This
10/27/2008
Check This Out!
9/25/2008
Make A Band
7/23/2008
Beautiful Bling Ring
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Date: 7/1/2009
Title: The BEST Surprise!
Phoenix Storks & Birthdays
A Review with Owner "Jane Dixon"...
Tell Us About Your Business?
I started my business in 2004, doing stork only rentals. In 2007 I added "All Occasion" greetings to the business after another lawn greeting business in the area moved out of state, leaving a need for it in my area. The All Occasion rentals have been a big hit! They are much more profitable for me, however they are more work. The most requested displays we do are for Birthdays, primarily "milestone" birthdays, 30, 40, 50 and even 60. Our most requested rental is by far our Pink Flamingos, followed closely by the Buzzards.
What Made you go into this business?
I wanted a job that I could do to make some extra money for the family after I had my first son and quit my full-time job. I started with storks only, as those can be done during the day and I could take my kids with me. However, when I saw the need in my market for someone in my area to offer the night-time surprise displays, I jumped in. I didn't think I would like doing the night-time displays, but I really enjoy it. It's quiet, and peaceful (yes, sometimes spooky, note to self - DO NOT watch zombie movie before heading out on a display. LOL) My husband stays home with the kids while I do the night setups alone. I usually take the kids with me to pick up the displays later that night, after the sun goes down.
What advise can you give others who are starting a business?
DO NOT expect to make any money your first year or two. If you do, that's great, but it's NOT the norm. If your family needs your income to live, do not quit your day job before you are steadily making enough money to replace your income.
Get a website ASAP. A website, even a simple one, is one of the first places people will go to to see if you are a "real" business. If you don't have a website, they will move on to the next person. If you can sell your product online, that's even better! People are coming to expect to be able to order what they want online, at any time they choose.
In Addition...
Business name/Domain name - choose this carefully. If you are a locally based service business, it will benefit you in the search engines to use a city or state in your domain name, however it can be confusing to customers if your domain name and business names don't match. So when choosing your business name, check and see if it's available as a .com, if it is, snap it up!
If your product/service is not limited by location (ie, you can ship nationally) it's more important to try to find a business/domain name that is memorable, and not difficult for customers to remember exactly how to find you. Some times when you get too creative with the your name (using a z instead of an s, or using a odd spelling such as "gurrrl" instead of "girl") these slight differences can be memorable, or they can just make it impossible for your customer to remember how to find you.
For more information, contact Jane at: Phoenix Storks
Date: 5/24/2009
Title: KatiWalkerArt.com
Meet Kati Walker
What do you do?
I am an artist specializing in children’s artwork and murals. I create custom pieces of acrylic on canvas depicting kids’ favorite things: dance, fairies, ballerinas, princess art, sports, transportation, dinosaur and reptile art. You name it, we can create it.
How did you get started?
My kids are my biggest inspiration. When they were little and I was decorating their rooms, I found it next to impossible to find one of a kind original artwork that was cute! I grew up drawing and painting and decided to shift my focus to children’s artwork. My children’s bedrooms turned into their friends’ bedrooms and so on.
What inspires you?
My kids, nature, all the beauty around us.
How do you balance your work with your family?
Family also comes first. But they are my biggest fans and love to watch me create new pieces!
Why this type of art?
I love to create custom pieces that bring out certain elements
of the established décor. Matching a pattern or embellishing
already established décor into something new is always fun.
I like to take the subject and create it from a kids’ eye view but
with added elements that make it fun, special and something
that mom and dad can appreciate too.
Tell us about the process
I always get paint samples to ensure a good match with the bedding
or other décor. The client and I decide on a canvas size and subject and
I get to work. I love using acrylic paint, with its versatility and custom ability.
What advice can you share with others that might be inspired by you?
Go for your dreams! If you can make money by doing something YOU love, there is no better way in this life!
Custom Piece Pricing
Prices start at $25 for a 6 x 9” canvas. Normal canvas size is 20 x20” and runs
about $100. I do all size canvases and custom murals. My mural fee is $100/hour.
If you are interested in a custom mural, mention this ad, & receive
25% off my hourly rate. Or, take $15 off of a custom piece.
Business Name: Kati Walker Art
Website URL: www.KatiWalkerArt.com
Owner: Kati Walker
Date: 2/1/2009
Title: The Baby's Bundle...
Date: 11/23/2008
Title: You Have To See This
I just received the cutest item from one of our very own....
It is a "Smoodgie Lamb BackPack" Nelson Custom Design "Smoodgies"
Rachel of Nelson Custom Design Embroidered my nieces name on it and it is so precious... Not to mention cuddly soft...
I cannot wait to give it to her...
Loved it!
Date: 10/27/2008
Title: Check This Out!
OH MY GOSH! How cool is this? I recently had Rebecca of www.QuoteTheWalls.com do a custom decal/sticker for my vehicle. I rarely go anywhere as most all that I do... is in a 10 to 15 mile radius from where I live.
My husband was not too happy I had decided to put a sticker on my vehicle for many of his owns reasons, if you catch my drift. Somehow I convinced him to put it on my vehicle...
It has 3" letters in silver the same color as my vehicle...
Within a little over an hour of being at a nail salon... I received my 1st call with an order and by the time I got home another hour later I had another call from Agnes that had seen me drive down a major street and placed a $400 order...
WOW! Did I blow my husband away...
So.... IF you are looking for an easy way to drum up some business, contact Rebecca of www.QuoteTheWalls.com and she will be happy to help you with your custom car decal request.
Date: 9/25/2008
Title: Make A Band
This is such a neat idea....
Now you can purchase a stretchy headband and attach flowers or bows to inter change and match to baby, infant or child's outfit... So cute! and fun....
See a complete collection at
BowtiqueUnique.com
Date: 7/23/2008
Title: Beautiful Bling Ring
The Designer Crystal Rings are so unique. They are made of a very durable stretchy clear elastic that is hard to break and they come in 3 different sizes. They do not have to be perfect in size as they will fit most anyone. They come in several different colors and are made of Swarovski crystal and sterling silver beads. 
See them at:
Something2BragAbout.com
under Crystal Rings
A GREAT FIND!
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