Goal #3 for 2011

Today’s first Charleston Champion post brings me to my third goal for the year.

Goal #3 for 2011:  By December 15, 2011 be positioned to have an office downtown in Cannonborough.  Have 3-5 locations in mind that would work.

Its time to face facts.  While I like my home office, working for home just isn’t for me all the time.  I really love going into the office.  (I know, I’m nuts.)  Besides that, I’m also ready to have a team working with me.  Although I’m sure they would enjoy raiding my fridge, they would probably enjoy having their own desk even more.

Also, Cannonbrough is perfect for me.  Its filled with several wonderful entrepreneurs.  Its still an up and coming area with prices to match.  Plus, the city is beautifying the area sooner than later.

If you know of a great space in the are, please let me know.  I’m on the lookout!

Read Full Post »

Good News Friday

It’s another good news Friday!  Here’s an update:

1. My PIN came!  Whoo-hoo!  I can wire money overseas.  NICE.

2.  Yesterday I received my revised logos.  LOVED them.  Not a bad one in the bunch.  After talking with the ladies from Stitch Design Co. I’ve found I can incorporate a lot of the ideas I like into other design elements of my brand.  I’ve narrowed down the actual logo to two choices.  As big marketing geek, this is really exciting stuff.

3.  Today is National Day in China and there is a national holiday through October 7th.  Before Wendy went on holiday she made sure to check in with me, confirm the bag changes and get the leather and hardware samples ready to send.  Also, she told me they are going to ship the products on their account so I don’t have to set up my own just yet.  Awesome.

4.  Thanks to my husband and one of our handy friends all the IKEA furniture is set up in my office.  My father helped me get all the needed office supplies so the whole operation should be fully functional sometime this month.

5.  Yesterday I applied for a free seminar with the almighty Seth Godin.  If you are a woman entrepreneur I highly encourage you to apply as well.  Even if you don’t get in, the process will make you evaluate your business.  And if you do get in, please tell me all about it!

That’s all the news for this week.  Hope your Friday is full of good news too.

Read Full Post »

The Clothes Make the Woman

I have 14 pairs of brown pants.  1o of which are only suitable for fall, winter and the beginning of spring in Detroit.

Tomorrow I’m going to Nordstrom in Charlotte, North Carolina to meet with a personal shopper to find some “Southern Work Clothes for a Female Entrepreneur in the Fashion Industry.”  (I know, this poor woman has no idea idea what she’s in for.)

You may think clothes have nothing to do with whether or not I can get the job done.  But I would argue with you all day long.  For now – let’s just say this:  Like it or not, my chosen field is fashion.  I’d better look the part.

While I’m in town I’ll also be heading to IKEA (doesn’t everyone end up there sooner or later?) to get storage pieces for my office.  It’s slowly coming together.  Once it’s finished I’ll be sure to post a video tour on this site.

With all the non-fun business activities of the past few weeks, it will be great to have a Friday of fun.  Look for Twitpics of my escapades on Twitter over the weekend.  I plan on returning fashionable, organized and ready to meet with my (hopefully) new business attorney on Monday.

Read Full Post »

Working From Home: Luxury or Liability?

I’m worried about working from home.  Going to the office is my idea of fun.  I like the camaraderie, getting dressed up and leaving the distractions of the house.

But renting an office for one doesn’t make sense when that money could go towards something like say…zippers.  So, for now “going to the office” means walking down the stairs.  Here’s how the space looks now:

Inc. Magazine published a feature in their April issue about the entire staff working from home.  While the author, Max Chafkin, pointed to many positive things about working from home – zero commute time, saving money on lunch/gas, flexibility in schedule –  he ended his article by saying:

“As we finished the issue you are reading and started working on the one we hope you will read next month, it was a relief to settle into our old rhythms and to catch up with our old friends. It also was a relief to know that, if pressed, we could survive without our ridiculously nice offices and still make a magazine. But mostly, it was good to be back.”

Phooey – that’s what I was afraid of.

So, on to the good news.  I can make the office look however I want.  No adhering to the corporate colors or sitting at the standard issue desk.  My current inspiration from the May issue of  Martha Stewart Living:

To see more pictures of my office in construction check out the brand new Alesya Bags Facebook page.  If you have any tips or tricks from working from a home office, I’d love to hear them.  Feel free to post here or on Facebook.

Read Full Post »