Women Rock

Today I came across a great article about how female entrepreneurs are taking over the world.. 

I am not surprised! 

Women are so amazing at multi-tasking.    

Check out the article "Women Entrepreneurs, The Next Wave of Leaders".   

It is from one of my favorite new blogs- The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.

 

Gimme 5..

Five of my favorite business books.

Here is what I suggest for those who need some inspiration, direction and business advice.

1) Jack Welch's : Jack Straight from the Gut

I love Jack Welch.  I think he is so inspirational.

2) Blue Ocean Strategy

A book about taking your company/product/service and moving it into a new uncontested market place.   

3) Jim Collin's:  Good to Great

Discover what will take your business to the next level. 

4) Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business.

I am in the middle of this book right now & I think it is great.   For someone who is not naturally "tech-savvy" this book has provided a lot of insight that I can (and will) apply to Melissa Beth Designs.

5) The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.  

I am not going to lie, I have not read this book yet.  But I have been reading his blog and viewing his videos.   This guy has some great advice- he knows his sh*t.! (get it!?)   

You should check out his blog.  

Toilet Paper Entrepreneur (what a catchy name!)

Small Business Success Story

Source: Fortune Small Business
By Caroline Tiger
First Published: April 18, 2008: 12:58 PM EDT

Mothers Work: A feminist revolution 

Fed up with "dumb bows and big buttons," Rebecca Matthias filled a maternity-wear void with professional attire for a new generation of working women - and in the process, created a retail empire.

The founder and chief creative officer of Mothers Work (MWRK) - the Philadelphia company that owns maternity-wear chains A Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity, and Motherhood Maternity - was driven to start her business when she was pregnant with her first child. Tent dresses with garish bows and big buttons weren't appealing, so the former engineer improvised her way through the launch of a mail-order business.

Nearly 26 years later, Mothers Work leads the maternity apparel industry with $600 million in sales and more than 1,500 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada. FSB spoke with Matthias at her company's headquarters to find out how an architect of buildings became the architect of a retail empire. 

It's in times of adversity that you really have to think hard - that's when some of the best ideas come. I think that's been true throughout the life of our company.

You tell Me!

Melissa Beth designs and manufactures fabulous laptop bags, laptop sleeves, make up cases and travel accessories.

I am always designing and creating new items for our Melissa Beth customers (some never quite make it to the market place).

Tell me what you would like to see Melissa Beth design next! 

I would love to hear from you!

"Stepping up" to make the sale

I found this funny infomercial on youtube.  

If you have ever done sales you know it can sometimes be hard to make a sale.    This guy is so committed to making a sale, that even after he is injured he continues to try and sell his ladders.

I don't know if he ever got back up from his fall, but he certainly was persistent even after he probably lost a few teeth.   

Check it out.    

Ladder Infomerical

Let me know your thoughts.   

Gimme 5..

5 things I am obsessed with right now

1.  Red/navy boyfriend sweater.

It's so easy to wear over a white tank.

2. J brand Skinny Jeans.   

I get so many compliments when I wear these jeans.  Although sometimes I feel like they are painted on my body. 

3. Melissa Beth Carry Me Softly Laptop Bag. 

www.melissabeth.com/Carry-Me-Softly-Laptop-Case.html

 This lightweight laptop tote travels with me near and far.  

4. "This Is J" P. Jammers.   

These soft bamboo pj's keep me stylish even when I am sleeping.  www.thisisj.com

5. Tory Burch Contrast Tip Flats in Navy.    

Comfy and stylish.  Need I say more?

You can still be stylish in a recession

You can still be stylish in a recession... and you should be!   

I am sure it is proven somewhere that you feel better about yourself when you look good.   I call it the "look good, feel good" philosophy.   I was a heavy subscriber to this philosophy during my undergraduate and post-graduate years.   I used to make sure when I had to take an exam I wasn't wearing the yucky sweatpants I had been studying in for days, but was dressed nicely.   I think it helped increase my confidence on exams and major tests.   It definitely helped me looked studious and, when necessary, I was better prepared to flirt with my professors.  (Just kidding- as a women studies minor, they were mostly female professors!)   

Even today, I still apply the "look good, feel good" philosophy.  When I am feeling like I am too tired to get out of bed and be my creative and business savvy self I get dressed in my favorite outfit or wear something that inspires me (which is usually fashion) and I am instantly in a fresh headspace so I can conquer the world. 

In today's economy we need be working harder and feeling good can be the missing link to your competitive edge.

So, in these times it is important that you take the extra time to do whatever it is so you can feel good about yourself.   Just because the economy is drab, doesn't mean you have to look drab.

I don't fit neatly into one category

I don't fit neatly into one category.   But who does?! 

I have had this blog domain for weeks now and I've been thinking about the best way to use a blog on melissabeth.com.    I have zillions of posts (and by zillions I mean 8) sitting in my draft file waiting to be posted.  But, I've been too scared to make the wrong blog category choice.    Those of you who know me well know I am sometimes slow when it comes to making a decision.

I've himmed and haaahed about whether my blog should be about fashion, style, only melissa beth designs topics, laptop bags, technology, bags in general, inspirational businesses and the list goes on and on...

But today I have made my choice.  As the sole writer of the blog (for now).   The blog will be about all of the above.    Everything that interests me, my likes and dislikes.    Ultimately, I think this is what will make my blog interesting.   I am not only interested in fashion or talking about my amazing Melissa Beth Designs products.

I love business, beauty products, bags and traveling.   I am a mild tv-aholic with a lot of thoughtful insight into the world of LOST and other amazing reality tv shows.    I am a young woman who started a business at the age of 23 and now, 5 years later, is faced with the challenges of growing a business in a sour economy.

Maybe I am about to commit blog-suicide, or maybe I am a blog genius and I just coined a new word.  But, I, much like my business Melissa Beth Designs, fit into many categories.   

My blog will offer insight into not only the coolest fashion finds and beauty products but also provide business and life lessons as I experience them.