Don't miss name your business

I just discovered a fabric store in my little town that I did not know it was even there. The problem was, the  store was called "The Quilt Shop" and I erroneously thought that it was a store that sold quilts. I must have driven past that little store at least once a week in the last 6 years and never even thought it was a fabric store. I was traveling 15 more miles to go to what I thought was the closest fabric store, JoAnn's.

Do yourself a favor and learn from that little store with the wrong name. Don't give your business a name that people can think it is something else.

What is holding you back?

It is often the case that most people who want to start up their own home based business are in love with the idea that they can have more control over their own lives. It is a wonderful idea but only once you actually start that business. Taking that first leap of faith, that "yes I can do it," is often the hardest. Holding us back are fears of failure, fear losing precious money should it not work out, and most of all feeling like we are a failure if it indeed does not work out. If fear is not holding you back, maybe a lack of support is. You want to know if your idea is really a good one or just a fanciful dream. If that is the case then you need to find a business mentor, someone who is willing to guide you through the process of getting into business and then staying with you as your business grows. I cannot emphasis enough that your mentor be an actual person that you can sit down with and have a face to face discussion. Stay away from internet gurus that are an email away and cost you money for every "talk" you have. Most legitimate business mentors volunteer their time and some of them are also investors in new businesses and they will not only encourage you but fund your business as well.

So were do you find a business mentor? Try your local Chamber of Commerce as your first step. If you fail to find someone you can connect with there then go to your local community college and talk to one of the instructors that teaches business. They will often point you in the right direction.

The help is out there if you look. Don't be afraid of that first step. What you should be afraid of is not taking that first step.

Got some great ideas today for decorating

I was at a friends business and her receptionist does a great job of decorating the office for up coming holidays and seasons. Since Valentine's Day is almost here, she had hung the most decorative quilts I have seen in some time on the wall. Gingham hearts, roses that were quilted to look like hearts, heart shapes put together to look like flowers and the country style quilts with Valentine's Day sayings on them.

It got me thinking about making small quilted wall hangings. I have a passion for the Old West and horses so I might make some wall quilts to jazz up a few of my own walls. Of course I will take photos and show them off on this blog.

Creating Your Perfect Quilting Space: Sewing-Room Makeovers for Any Space And Any Budget
Electric Quilt Quiltmaker Volume 6 Printable Quilting Stencils CD-ROM
 90-Minute Quilts: 15+ Projects You Can Make in an Afternoon
Janome Magnolia 7306 Sewing Machine - Quilting Machine

Coupons and free stuff

How often do you use those coupons on the backs of your cash register receipts? I bet not as often as you would like. I usually see my local sewing machine shop advertising on there. If you have missed out on those local bargains, here's a chance to get them back. I have found the website of the company that prints out those local coupons and you can get them online. All you have to do is put in your zip code and the number of miles you want to search from there. Here you go - the free coupon website.