Twas’ the Blog Before Christmas

Well this will be my last blog before Christmas day so I want to wish all of my readers and blog followers a very Merry Christmas and hope you all get to enjoy some relaxing time with your families! I hope you have all of the things on your to do list almost done and are just finishing up last minute things. I’m glad to say that I have had all my decorating, shopping and wrapping done for a couple of weeks now. I know you last minute shopper’s don’t get it but seriously I don’t like the crowds and being in the stores once it gets really busy. Just need to do a little more baking or perhaps keep my husband out of the butter tarts, I’ve made two batches of them already! Add to that peanut butter balls, sugar cookies and candy cane bark! Tis’ the season!

I thought I’d give you a recap of my business Designs by Shell for 2012. This has been my most successful year ever. This December I reached my highest sales month since I started back in 2008. It’s been quite a journey. I’ve learned so much about networking, how to market my designs, what type of products sell the best for me and so much more. It’s been an exciting year to see my store grow and reach new heights. I fully expect 2013 to be even more successful as I continue to build my business. 

As the new year approaches it’s good to set some goals for your business to keep you on track and moving in a forward direction. Smart goals, goals that you can think through and put into action are the way to go. The break down of SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. So know your goals, write them down, review them often. I wish you a joyous and prosperous New Year in business but also in your daily life!

Here are some of my items and designs that we’re popular sellers in 2012.

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Top 10 Fun Family Holiday Activities

As I was thinking of what to write about for this post I must admit it was hard to decide on a specific theme.  I decided on a Top 10 List  of Fun Family Activities to do in the month of December.

1) Attend a Christmas production at a church, school or theatre.

2) Get a group of friends and families together and go Christmas carolling at a neighbours or even a Seniors facility.

3) Bundle everyone up and go skating at a local ice rink.

4) Invite friends over for a holiday movie night. Serve popcorn and hot chocolate.

5) Have a cookie swap. Making and decorating the cookies together with the kids.

6) Fill travel mugs with hot chocolate and take the family for a drive through the streets to see the homes decorated with Christmas lights.

7) Get everyone involved in packing up a Christmas hamper for a needy family. (The kids could make something special for the basket)

8) Visit a botanical garden that goes to town with their lights. Many cities have one that gets all decked up for December.

9) Skiing, tubing or snowboarding are good family outings. All ages can participate.

10) Choose a holiday themed book and read it together as a family.

Well there are some ideas to get you thinking. Depending on the age of your children or whether it’s just adults at your home I hope you’ll be inspired to do something fun this month.

I’ve been busy marketing and working on items for my store. Designs by Shell. Here are some of my favourite holiday designs below.

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Bake It, Wrap It and Give It

Are you busy getting things checked off your list as Christmas is fast approaching? How's the decorating and shopping coming? What about those food gifts that you want to make for some of the folks on your list? As I was busy baking this weekend I thought it would be the perfect time to share a few recipes that could be packaged up in pretty containers and given as gifts. Food gifts are perfect for friends and family members that you like to give a little something too! Here is a list of yummy ideas for you... 1)Golden Butter Tarts 2)Chocolate Covered Pretzels Here you'll find some pretty ideas for packaging them. 3)Chocolate Toffee Squares 4)Candy Cane Bark (my personal favorite) 5)Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls 6)Snack Mix Recipes (Top 10) 7) Glazed Banana Loaf (Wrap in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon)

Well I've been doing lots of marketing and trying to get my designs out there as much as possible. November was a great month and I'm trusting December will be a profitable one too! So many things to keep us all busy from now through Christmas. Here are a few items from my store. Please stop by for a look around Designs by Shell

Branding Yourself in Business

There has been a lot of talk about this topic as of late especially if you run a business and participate in marketing. What is meant when someone tells you that you need to build a brand for yourself or your business? I asked myself this question recently.

Branding is basically marketing yourself in the business world. It comes down to how you present yourself to others. Not just simply how you look although a professional look does tend to make a difference but also how you relate to people, your personality and what knowledge or experience you bring to the table. Here is where you want to gain respect and build trust with potential customers. Your attitude and methods of networking should represent you well.

Intended branding allows you to differentiate a service, product or yourself from the competition. We all know that competition is huge so we must be looking at what our potential customers need or desire in our particular field. Do you have something unique and attractive to offer? How can you make your business stand out from the crowd? Your brand should separate you or make you stand out at least a little from your competitors.

Some business’s are more difficult to put into a niche brand especially if you sell several different types of products. My Zazzle store, Designs by Shell falls into this type of business. I have to let my whimsical, warm, fun style speak somewhat for itself. As customers become familiar with my designs they tend to return for subsequent purchases which makes me very happy. This is where personal branding comes into play. As customers or people you network with begin to get a sense of who you are, what you have to offer and how you network they will become more comfortable and thus help spread the word about your business. Customers want to get a sense of who you are and I believe through my design style I can give them that!

Branding yourself in business is a concept that is familiar to those in the business world but has really become a ‘power word’ that has been used extensively lately. Just watch the topic trends on social and business networks for awhile you’ll see what I mean.

Well those are my thoughts on this topic. Hope I’ve given you something to think about.

Here are some of my products featuring my designs. Thanks for shopping at Designs by Shell. I appreciate all of my customers!

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