We have been in the store downtown now for a week - and hopefully things are going well.  I haven't been in since Wednesday to see how things are going, because I guess I just wanted to kind of let it happen.  The ladies in the store are selling the products for us - we have a system set up with our own color coded tags, and our own invoice books so that we can all keep track of what we sell.

The response has been really good - and we have ended up getting a following on a Facebook fan page we set up for the store we have affectionately termed, the "Country Corner Shoppe".

We have the domain name, and eventually we will have a website set up - but unfortunately, I am so busy right now with all of my other work at home activities, that it is kind of on the backburner.

Lisa and I were fortunate to have an article in this week's local newspaper about Inspired By You Treasures, which is a pretty nice way to get some exposure.  The article was great and talked about how we were focusing on personalized gifts - and gave a bit of a background on us too.  So, other than the fact that neither one of us thought we looked very flattering in the picture, we were pretty thrilled with the article.

Tomorrow I am off to the shoppe to see if we have sold anything - fingers crossed!!

PS.  Only 3 more people until we are at 100 fans!!  Once we hit that mark, we are doing a draw for a set of coasters....

Lisa and I have been busy these past couple of weeks getting everything ready to go into the shop downtown.  It is pretty exciting, but a bit scary at the same time!

We have been getting all the final products done up - and trying to price everything, and figure out a way of keeping track of inventory - all that fun stuff that is WAY over my head!  Luckily, Lisa and I each have our strengths that we bring into the business.  I can do the internet work, and she can take care of the numbers and books....all of the things that are just way too complicated for me.

It is good to have a business partner that compliments you.  (I don't mean one that is always telling you how great you are....those kind of compliments - although, come to think of it, it would be nice wouldn't it?)  I mean who has strengths in other areas from what you do.  That way, you aren't having to learn everything yourself.

For those who don't already know - we are moving into what was the Dollar Store downtown in Minnedosa, where we are located.  The Dollar Store will still be in the upper half of the building, but the main street section is going to be made into a little gift shop area - and we are hoping to achieve a "country market" kind of feel.

We have even named it the "Country Corner Shoppe" - and it is going to have all unique items, many which are handmade by local crafters.  There will other gift items too - basically, a smorgasboard of great, unique and fun gift items that you won't find anywhere else.

I think it is going to be wonderful for some of us smaller businesses that are operating out of our homes to have a place to network and showcase our products.  I am really looking forward to it - not only for all the reasons I have mentioned, but also so that I can have some space in my basement back!

Keep your eyes open here - I will let you know once we are in.  And, I will hopefully get some pictures to put up of our little shop too!

Marie

Today, I just wanted to post a bit about photo books.  I just got back 2 books that my daughters had worked on, and I just can't express how much these kinds of books can mean to someone!

My daughters and I worked on these little books together (they told me what to put in them, and I typed it), and I have to tell you that this is something I am going to love forever.  And, they are so proud of them!  The things that are important to them are so obvious by looking through these books.

My youngest is 4, and the oldest is 6 - so to be able to someday go back and read through them - to see what they believe they will be doing when they grow up, what their favorite colors are, who their friends are......it is going to be amazing.

And, I plan on letting them do one every couple of years, so that I can watch them evolve and grow through these little books.

We offer photobooks through Inspired Treasures.  We have a licensed software for creating the books working through our sister site, www.YourStorybookLife.com  This software is incredibly easy to use, there are no membership fees - and you don't pay for anything until you are finished and ready to publish your book.

The prices are incredible, and there is a huge selection of sizes and options.

Do yourself a favor - if you have kids, get them working on their own little book.  It is such an incredible keepsake!