More Magazine

I was very happy to see 2 of my favorite MB bags featured in More Magazine this month..

Check out the feature! 

Okay- so there were a few other bags on the page.  But, if you are one of the five people who read my blog you know from my previous posts that I was only practicing my photoshop skills by editing the other bags off the page :)

Trade Shows: How to Survive and How to Succeed

Part of my business includes doing wholesale and retail trade shows. 

It seems glamourous that I am able to travel around to exhibit my products in cool cities and meet interesting people.  Sometimes it can be, however, getting everything together to display our beautiful bags can be exhausting.   Anyone that has been to a trade show on the vendor side will agree with me here, setting up the booth and breaking it down is ALWAYS the worst part!!!  

Even if you don't have a lot to display or pack up- set up and tear down sucks!!   I do not pack light, so you can imagine the time it takes to create a beautiful booth-especially when I am the one with the drill doing most of the manual labour :)

Here are some pics of how my booth arrives, what it looks like displayed and what happens when you are not careful when using an exacto knife.  

Some tips for successful trade shows:

1. Try and stay focused on your budget, design and overall sales goals.

2. Think long-term and follow up with the customers you meet.

3. Network with fellow vendors.  The information you share can be really valuable.

4. Hire help to assist you with sales, set up and tear down.

5. Take advantage of the city you are in.  It shouldn't be all work and no play! 

Sorry for the lame pictures they are from my blackberry!

And, FYI, my finger will be okay! 

It's All About the Details

As you could have guessed I love little details!   I think it can make anything look unique and polished.

So, when my bro and sister-in-law asked for some help with their recent wedding I jumped at the chance to help bring the little details to life.   Love birds was their theme - and we printed their logo on napkins, programs, place cards, thank you cards and even the wedding cake!  

The little details made their design and decor flawless.  But I will tell you- it was hard to focus on the cute little details with the beautiful blushing bride in the room!

Delicious Designs

In an effort to improve my photoshop skills and help out my super talented cousin.  I designed her new business cards.

Batterfingers, a Toronto based company, makes delicious and unique baked goods.   Specialities include rugelach, cupcakes, personalized cakes, cookies and custom holiday baskets.

Julia (owner and founder) also hosts kids programs.  So if you have kiddies in TO who love to cook or you are craving some deliciousness this summer see her details below (in this beautifully designed b-card). 

  

Do women do better in a recession?

Female managers just might have an edge in a rotten economy, says the author of a new book. Here's why, and how men and women can learn from each other's strengths.

NEW YORK (Fortune) by Anne Fisher -- There's one sure-fire way to start a heated argument, whether around the water cooler or at a dinner party: Just say something that suggests women manage very differently from their male peers. Then stand back and watch the fireworks.  

Controversial or not, it's clear that women are doing something differently: Of the roughly 6 million Americans who have lost their jobs since the recession started in December of 2007, 80% are men, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. No doubt, a big part of the reason is that men tend to dominate in the cyclical businesses which have been decimated by the downturn, including manufacturing, construction, engineering and finance. Female-dominated fields like nursing and education have been less hard-hit, at least so far. 

To read more of this article click here..

NEW LAPTOP SLEEVES COMING SOON

Check out our new PRETTY PRINTED LAPTOP SLEEVES.

These pretty printed laptop sleeves are available in four sizes.

• 10.2" ($29.99)
  
• 13.3"-14" ($34.00)
  
• 15.4"-16" ($36.00)
  
• 17" ($39.00)
  

Tell us your favorite print?!

Email sales@melissabeth.com for pre-ordering.

Gimme 5.. ways to get inspired

Five Easy Ways to Stay (or Get) Inspired.

1.  Hang out with people who are energized and are excited about what they do.  Trust me-their enthusiasm will rub off on you.    You may even find you can share ideas and help each other.

2.  Draw upon nature for inspiration in your designs, colors and patterns.  You will be amazed at what you see if you just take a closer look.   

3. Make a plan.   Maybe its been a while since you made a plan for yourself.  Write down your goals and what you would like to achieve.  You will naturally be inclined to achieve your goals if you put them down on paper and hold yourself accountable.

4.  Travel.   You don't have to go far- but if you can, do it.      You will naturally be inspired by the people, culture and landscape.   One of our new neoprene laptop sleeve prints (which will fit 10.2" netbooks, available this August) was inspired from this window in India.

5.  Review.  It's time to look at your accomplishments and praise yourself.    It's easy to push yourself down sometimes, so now its time to be your very own cheerleader and pull yourself up.  If you can see how far you have come and what you have achieved it will motivate you to keep moving forward. 

Graduation Gifts for Tech Savvy Fashionistas

So your little girl is graduating high school, college, university, post grad or elementary school. These days she is so into her laptop, facebook, twitter and anything technology related you wonder if you will ever be able to relate to her.

Well, here are five sure fire ways to not only relate to your tech savvy gal, but also get her a graduation gift she will love to bits.   Grads- you can thank us later! 

1. The new iphone  What young lady wouldn't love the new iphone? You might even want one for yourself! There are so many new cool applications that will make your young lady's life a lot easier at the touch of a button! You can even track her whereabouts at all times through google mobile friend tracker if you have one too!

2. Netbook Now that your graduated girl is moving up the ladder in life she will clearly need to be connected. Technologically connected that is. It's no surprise that these cute light weight netbooks (mini 8"-10.2" laptops) are the fastest growing area in computers.  There has been evidence to suggest that females are noted as heavier users of laptops than their male counterparts. So of course, any gal, at any age would jump at the chance to own a light weight, easy to carry laptop.  I think Toshiba is even making them in pink.

3. Laptop Sleeve Now that your girly grad is fully understanding her laptop why not keep her laptop pretty protected with a feminine laptop sleeve . Be sure to get one that has ample foam protection and reflects her feminine side.  Check out our luxe laptop sleeves and velour laptop sleeves.   Need a netbook laptop sleeve?  Not to worry- check back with us in August (or email us to pre-order) when our new pretty printed neoprene netbook laptop sleeves will be available. 

4. Skype Credits So is your graduated darling leaving town? Nervous she wont call you? One of the best and most affordable ways to keep in touch is through Skype. You can video conference through your computer for free once you have account. Okay, so you may be "old-school" and prefer a typical phone call. Buy her some skype credits and she will be able to call you from her computer for much less than using a regular phone. And since most parents help out with the bills these days for college kids- you will be able to save a little and stay connected?!

5. Still can't decide?  How about a gift card to her favorite mall or online store. She will be able to buy anything she likes and it will save you a trip because you wont have to do a return.

Good luck gift givers.   

Don't stress to much- it's the thought that counts!

What does the color of your laptop bag say about you?

Are you attracted to a particular color?   

Ever wonder why you've been dying for a colorful laptop bag?

Thanks to us (Melissa Beth) - women have choices when it comes to laptop bags. The color of a woman's laptop bag has a huge impact on what this portrays about her style.  Find out what your laptop bag (or future laptop bag) says about your personal style.

BLACK

Okay, so you chose the typical black laptop bag. A black laptop bag can sometimes be extremely stylish- it depends on my variables. Not all black laptop bags are boring and drab. Fabric and texture play a large role in determining if your black laptop bag is a chic power-house or a desperate cry for help. 

If you just love black here is what it means.  Black laptop bags can represent power, sophistication and wealth.  In some cases it can also reflect a void and a feeling of sadness.  If are you experiencing a void and emptiness in your work wear, it's time to ditch the "blah" bag that came with your laptop!

BLUE

Blue is associated with pure qualities. You have very definitive characteristics.  A blue laptop bag indicates you are loyal, feminine, peaceful, tech savvy, sometimes quiet, calm and stable.

GREEN

Green reminds us of nature. If you have a green laptop bag you are an environmentalist at heart, youthful and full of good luck. You have an competitive edge that keeps your colleagues and friends on their toes.

PURPLE

Purple often reminds us of royalty. If you are sporting a purple laptop bag you have a regal essence, you are wise beyond your years and spiritual. You are an expert in your field and people look to you for your advice.

PINK

Most women love pink. Pink reminds you of love- so if you have a pink laptop bag you must love being in love and of course, you love your laptop bag. Pink is youthful and energetic. You are flirty, full of life, feminine. You want to stand out from the crowd.

Although color is not the only determinant when picking a laptop bag, one must consider fabric, weight, function, overall style and price. Melissa Beth offers a variety of different options for women looking for a colorful and functional laptop bag. Don't see one that works for you? Send us an email at sales@melissabeth.com and let us know what you would like to see our next laptop bag.

Should you jump in?

Several people I know have recently decided to start to their own business and have been asking me the same question:  

Should I start a business? 

How do I know if I am making the right decision?

Well I will start by saying starting a business is tough stuff and it can be even tougher in today's world.

One of my passions is business and I LOVE fellow entrepreneurs.   So I will share my thoughts and on whether you should leap into entrepreneurship.

When I started my business I had a plan, although it was simple and I had a very small capital investment I still decided to jump into the water.  I would either sink or swim.  The beginning was definitely a scary and exciting time. Sometimes I still feel like I may drown.   For the past five years I have been swimming along.  I have faced many waves (sometimes they felt like Tsunami's banging at my door) and I have managed to keep moving forward.  

Don't give up when times are tough.. just sit back, revise and get excited.  If you aren't excited about your business- trust me, no one else is going to be! 

I am still extremely passionate about eliminating all the "blah" laptop bags in the world. Melissa Beth Designs has moved on to take on drab make up cases, travel bags and laptop sleeves as well!   

My advice to new entrepreneurs and/or business owners is as follows:

Try to love the bad days as much as you love the good.  

Be creative   - it will help you problem solve and market your business

Don't get caught up in the day to day grind

Toot your own horn once in a while- it may be a while before anyone else does

Have a plan.  You wouldn't jump in the water without knowing how to swim.  

 

So, are you still on the fence of whether you should take the plunge into the unknown?

Here are five simple ways to know if you are truly ready for the challenge.

1) All you think about is your business idea.  

2)  You have bounced your idea around to mentors and friends.   AND even when you get the "sure that's a great idea" with undertones of  you'll never make it!- it just fuels you to go for it anyway.

3) You have a business plan AND you are ready to change your plan and adapt.   My advice to all new business owners is that no matter how knowledgeable you are, you cannot possibly foresee every problem.  You have to be open to learn, adapt and go with the flow.

4) You have enough knowledge about the industry that when you jump in the water you at least know the temperature.  You also have enough capital to create a website, marketing materials and  products.

5) You are committed, passionate and creative.  I think these are the 3 fundamental attributes that a lot of entrepreneurs have in common.    

Good luck and keep us posted!