In just 70 short days Molly O Designs may be forced to shut our doors along with thousands of other children's manufacturers.
February 9th has been deemed National Bankruptcy day. The reason is due to the CPSIA regulations going into effect. How does this effect Molly O Designs. Well, I'm happy you asked.
The CPSIA regulations will mandate that all manufacturers of children's goods (even little ol'Molly O) will be required to have our products tested for lead. Now, at first glance this sounds like a great idea! Safety for our children. But then you look at the numbers. For Molly O Designs to have our Spring/Summer 2009 tested to meet federal standards, the testing will run us over $30,000. That is just for the testing! Not the manufacturing, or the purchasing of materials or everyday overhead expenses.
This regulation will cover EVERYONE who produces products intended for children ages 12 and under. Do you make baby blankets to sell at craft fairs? You will have to pay to have them tested. Do you sew custom boutique clothing on ebay? You will have to pay to have your designs tested. What about those cute baby bibs that everyone keeps asking you to make? If you sell them for money, they have to be tested!
Needless to say, thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses will go under on February 9th. But where will all their inventory go? In the dump. That is right. If you produced anything prior to February 9th and it has not been tested and approved, it will be considered hazardous waste on February 10th. All my beautiful spring clothes? In the garbage. I'm not kidding. And yes, this sounds too crazy to be true, but trust me, it is a very real reality.
Here is a great link that kind of sums up this mess:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/national-bankruptcy-day/
So, I will stop being a selfish for a moment and not think about what I will lose personally. Let's talk about the children's consignment shop down the street that will have to close its doors because for all practical purposes everything in it will be a hazardous dumping site. What about the children's boutique that has a store full of inventory that can't be sold after February 9th? I have many friends who sell clothing and toys on ebay to make a living. Again, all garbage.
I really can't wrap my head around the enormity of this issue and what this means for our already failing economy.
More to come later. In the mean time, I could use your prayers and good thoughts. If you feel so moved as to help with this fight, feel free to sign this petition. I will also be posting a letter later that can be sent to your local congressman/woman.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I forgot to tell you!!!
I can't believe I forgot to tell everyone that my new website is finally up and running!!! I swear this has been a work in progress for over a year. You have to go and take a peek and tell me what you think! www.mollyodesigns.com
I have learned so much while working on this! And had a lot of help along the way. I can't wait for the day where I can hand 100% of the design, photography, editing, etc. over to someone else. But as the business is just beginning to grow, I seem to be the jack of all trades when it comes to this area of my business. I'm by no means an expert, but I think I've learned enough to get by.
So now on to the next step, marketing!! I'm so excited to start showing my clothing line at in home Trunk Shows. It is such a fun way for moms to get together, have a girls night out and do a little shopping. It is like installing a children's boutique right in your house! Every girls dream, right? So, if you know anyone that is interested in hosting a Molly O Trunk Show, send them our way.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet tonight. It has been a long week. I'm fighting off a migraine as I type, but have a little more work to do tonight. I did however just tuck in my 2 year old and sang her a lulabye. She actually put her head on my shoulder and fell asleep. We have nicknamed her Eloise because of all the shenanigans she gets into during the day, most recently painting large pictures with nail polish all over the girl's new comforters and throw pillows. BUT, when she puts her head on my shoulder, she turns into the sweetest curly haired angel ever. Those are the moments I will cherish. Good night and I hope everyone has sweet angel dreams.
I have learned so much while working on this! And had a lot of help along the way. I can't wait for the day where I can hand 100% of the design, photography, editing, etc. over to someone else. But as the business is just beginning to grow, I seem to be the jack of all trades when it comes to this area of my business. I'm by no means an expert, but I think I've learned enough to get by.
So now on to the next step, marketing!! I'm so excited to start showing my clothing line at in home Trunk Shows. It is such a fun way for moms to get together, have a girls night out and do a little shopping. It is like installing a children's boutique right in your house! Every girls dream, right? So, if you know anyone that is interested in hosting a Molly O Trunk Show, send them our way.
I'm going to keep this short and sweet tonight. It has been a long week. I'm fighting off a migraine as I type, but have a little more work to do tonight. I did however just tuck in my 2 year old and sang her a lulabye. She actually put her head on my shoulder and fell asleep. We have nicknamed her Eloise because of all the shenanigans she gets into during the day, most recently painting large pictures with nail polish all over the girl's new comforters and throw pillows. BUT, when she puts her head on my shoulder, she turns into the sweetest curly haired angel ever. Those are the moments I will cherish. Good night and I hope everyone has sweet angel dreams.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Where did the summer go?
The summer went by in a blur. And I say blur because having 3 kiddies at home all day, everyday, tends to make your eyes cross. But now that 2 of the 3 are firmly seated back in their desks, I can finally get a little extra work done. By extra work, I mean catching up on email, my blog, message boards, etc. You know, all the important things in life :)
With school back in session, it seems that the Molly O customers of the world are ready to shop! I've had a sudden surge in website traffic, purchases and inquiries. I can't tell you how excited I am to get our new line in everyone's hands! Speaking of, I'm so excited to say that Molly O Designs was featured in a very fab and trendy magazine this week called BLVDS Las Vegas. If you like in Las Vegas, try to pick up a copy at Borders. It is the perfect magazine for posh moms in the area. I was excited to see that 3 of my photos/designs were used throughout the magazine!
You can go to my website to read an little blurb from the article. And maybe just to make things a little interesting, the first person that can tell me which 3 pages my photos can be found on will win one of our new Creative Clips. If you don't live in Vegas and can't get to the magazine, take a guess, you never know you might get it right! It is Vegas after all. LOL.
So what else is new? Well, we are getting ready to kick off our Trunk Show Fall season! So if anyone is interested in hosting Molly O Trunk Show (in person or online), make sure you contact us soon. Our calendar is filling up quickly!
And just for the fun of it, I have to show you the photos I took a few nights ago. Our family was having a little bonding time watching the sun set from our backyard. It felt like the last quiet moment before all the back to school activities consumed us. The beauty of the sunset quieted all 3 of our little wiggle worms. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the sunset or the beautiful looks on all their sweet little faces. It was definitely a night I will remember long after they are all grown.
With school back in session, it seems that the Molly O customers of the world are ready to shop! I've had a sudden surge in website traffic, purchases and inquiries. I can't tell you how excited I am to get our new line in everyone's hands! Speaking of, I'm so excited to say that Molly O Designs was featured in a very fab and trendy magazine this week called BLVDS Las Vegas. If you like in Las Vegas, try to pick up a copy at Borders. It is the perfect magazine for posh moms in the area. I was excited to see that 3 of my photos/designs were used throughout the magazine!
You can go to my website to read an little blurb from the article. And maybe just to make things a little interesting, the first person that can tell me which 3 pages my photos can be found on will win one of our new Creative Clips. If you don't live in Vegas and can't get to the magazine, take a guess, you never know you might get it right! It is Vegas after all. LOL.
So what else is new? Well, we are getting ready to kick off our Trunk Show Fall season! So if anyone is interested in hosting Molly O Trunk Show (in person or online), make sure you contact us soon. Our calendar is filling up quickly!
And just for the fun of it, I have to show you the photos I took a few nights ago. Our family was having a little bonding time watching the sun set from our backyard. It felt like the last quiet moment before all the back to school activities consumed us. The beauty of the sunset quieted all 3 of our little wiggle worms. I don't know what I enjoyed more, the sunset or the beautiful looks on all their sweet little faces. It was definitely a night I will remember long after they are all grown.
Friday, August 1, 2008
For all you Trendy Moms
I found this great new site! There are so many trendy, fun, intelligent, business minded moms on Posh Mama. You need to come over and check it out! When you sign up, make sure to search for Molly O Designs and add me as a friend.
Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network is a positive and upbeat community made up of women from around the world. You will feel immediately welcomed as it is the sweetest spot on the 'net. Come hang out, network and make some great friends at www.poshmama.com
Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network is a positive and upbeat community made up of women from around the world. You will feel immediately welcomed as it is the sweetest spot on the 'net. Come hang out, network and make some great friends at www.poshmama.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The glamorous life of a designer
Oh what a glamorous life I lead. Designing clothing, meeting with pattern makers, manufacturers, sourcing new fabric, it is all very chic (insert sound of record screaching to a halt). O-kay, the reality is that I do all those things while being at home with my three wild, I mean lovely children. It is FAR from glamorous. In fact, most days if someone were to peek through my windows they would either call for back up, or hurt themselves from laughing so hard.
I don't know if this is the norm, but it isn't uncommon for me to be in the middle of a phone meeting while cleaning up the syrup that my youngest used to decorate the entire house. Really? How does a 2 y.o. empty and entire bottle of syrup (just opened that morning) within 30 seconds. Doesn't it take that long just to turn it over and start to squeeze? Have you ever tried to wash syrup out of the hair of a little girl that has curls like Shirley Temple? Oh the glamorous life I lead. I have decided to start calling our youngest Eloise because of the things that go through her little 2 y.o. mind. But when she falls asleep.........ahhh, my sweet little angel appears.
But, in the mean time, I'll go back to pretending that when all is quiet like I have a chic loft office where my designs are the talk of the towb, towm, sorry to TOWN. I guess the syrup founds it's way to my computer keys as well. Good thing I store all my designs elsewhere!
Speaking of designs, here is another sneek peek into my Fall 2008 line! How cute is my model Evie?!!!
I don't know if this is the norm, but it isn't uncommon for me to be in the middle of a phone meeting while cleaning up the syrup that my youngest used to decorate the entire house. Really? How does a 2 y.o. empty and entire bottle of syrup (just opened that morning) within 30 seconds. Doesn't it take that long just to turn it over and start to squeeze? Have you ever tried to wash syrup out of the hair of a little girl that has curls like Shirley Temple? Oh the glamorous life I lead. I have decided to start calling our youngest Eloise because of the things that go through her little 2 y.o. mind. But when she falls asleep.........ahhh, my sweet little angel appears.
But, in the mean time, I'll go back to pretending that when all is quiet like I have a chic loft office where my designs are the talk of the towb, towm, sorry to TOWN. I guess the syrup founds it's way to my computer keys as well. Good thing I store all my designs elsewhere!
Speaking of designs, here is another sneek peek into my Fall 2008 line! How cute is my model Evie?!!!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Boutique Portraits!
I always hated the way my school pictures turned out. My hair never looked right, my shirt was looking a little off, I wasn't totally smiling...........I could go on and on. And yes, I will admit I have school pictures with the BIG bangs. Does that give away my age?! I worked on that "poof" for at least a half hour before leaving the house. I wonder if my husband has ever seen those pictures. Well, I'm guessing the answer is no since he is still married to me. LOL.
So, Bijou & Co. came up with a fool proof way to make sure your little sweetie has the perfect school picture. O-kay, maybe it won't actually be taken at school, but you can put it in her scrapbook and she will forever love you for capturing the perfect picture! In fact, she might even be willing to show it to her future husband!!
Click on this adorable artist portrait, created by Shelly of Half Pint Creations, to see the auction for our new Funky Zebra set. The winning bidder will win the set and a custom portrait of their little sweetie from Shelly!
And keep your eyes open for more Fall previews from Molly O Designs!
So, Bijou & Co. came up with a fool proof way to make sure your little sweetie has the perfect school picture. O-kay, maybe it won't actually be taken at school, but you can put it in her scrapbook and she will forever love you for capturing the perfect picture! In fact, she might even be willing to show it to her future husband!!
Click on this adorable artist portrait, created by Shelly of Half Pint Creations, to see the auction for our new Funky Zebra set. The winning bidder will win the set and a custom portrait of their little sweetie from Shelly!
And keep your eyes open for more Fall previews from Molly O Designs!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Run, run, run
When you have kids, is there ever a day where you just get to rest? I have been running non-stop today. From one end of the city to the other. Whew. I just need a minute to catch my breath. My poor green shoes almost melted off my feet. Yes, it is that hot today! And, by the way, my 6 y.o. took the picture of the shoes. She loves photography and always gets some interesting shots. LOL.
Why am I writin on my blog instead of resting? This is restful to me. I love to write (have I ever told you I have a Journalism degree?) Yes, I'm full of all kinds of surprises. Writing is a skill that can get a little rusty if you don't practice. And I am definitely rusty. Like the tinman in the Wizard of Oz. I need a lot of oil. In fact, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the Journalism degree. Now, I'm going to be getting comments about my spelling and grammar. LOL. Don't waste your key strokes, I already know.
On the business front, I am sewing my very last sample piece for Fall 2008! It will be in the mail, on the way to a sweet little model any day now. Then, I will need to focus all my efforts on MARKETING! I'm not very good at the hard sell, or the soft sell for that matter. But, I'm going to have to buckle down and really focus on getting my line out there.
I've decided not to sell wholesale at this time. I'm going to be focusing on my online sales as well as doing trunk shows. I LOVE doing trunk shows. You get to interact with your customers and get real time feedback on your designs. Sometimes it isn't always easy to hear the constructive critism, but it is always helpful. On the flip side, hearing a customer swoon over your designs can inflate your ego for days, even weeks.
So, if you know anyone in the Las Vegas or surrounding area that wants to host a Molly O trunk show, send them my way! If you know anyone that may want to become a Molly O Stylist (aka sales rep) and host their own trunk shows any where in the U.S. send them my way too! Our goal is to build a sales force nationally over the next two years. Marketing, marketing, marketing (good thing my major was Journalsim and Public Relations, I'm going to be putting it to good use!).
O-kay, who wants to see a cutie pie?! Look at this little sweetie in a Molly O original.
I love the pictures, keep them coming!!!
Got to run again! I'm late for another appointment. Run, run, run.
Why am I writin on my blog instead of resting? This is restful to me. I love to write (have I ever told you I have a Journalism degree?) Yes, I'm full of all kinds of surprises. Writing is a skill that can get a little rusty if you don't practice. And I am definitely rusty. Like the tinman in the Wizard of Oz. I need a lot of oil. In fact, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the Journalism degree. Now, I'm going to be getting comments about my spelling and grammar. LOL. Don't waste your key strokes, I already know.
On the business front, I am sewing my very last sample piece for Fall 2008! It will be in the mail, on the way to a sweet little model any day now. Then, I will need to focus all my efforts on MARKETING! I'm not very good at the hard sell, or the soft sell for that matter. But, I'm going to have to buckle down and really focus on getting my line out there.
I've decided not to sell wholesale at this time. I'm going to be focusing on my online sales as well as doing trunk shows. I LOVE doing trunk shows. You get to interact with your customers and get real time feedback on your designs. Sometimes it isn't always easy to hear the constructive critism, but it is always helpful. On the flip side, hearing a customer swoon over your designs can inflate your ego for days, even weeks.
So, if you know anyone in the Las Vegas or surrounding area that wants to host a Molly O trunk show, send them my way! If you know anyone that may want to become a Molly O Stylist (aka sales rep) and host their own trunk shows any where in the U.S. send them my way too! Our goal is to build a sales force nationally over the next two years. Marketing, marketing, marketing (good thing my major was Journalsim and Public Relations, I'm going to be putting it to good use!).
O-kay, who wants to see a cutie pie?! Look at this little sweetie in a Molly O original.
I love the pictures, keep them coming!!!
Got to run again! I'm late for another appointment. Run, run, run.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I Love Customer Pictures!
Have I ever told you how much I love getting pictures of little girls in my designs?! Seriously, it makes my day, week, month. LOL. There is nothing like seeing a sweet little girl twirling, running, posing in a Molly O. O-kay, maybe it is a ego thing. But it really makes me feel good.
I was cleaning some of the files on my computer and came across this sweet photo sent in last summer by one of my customers. What a adorable little girl and a talented mommy! In fact, I just commissioned them to model/shoot some of my fall line. Don't worry, I'll post the pics as soon as I have them!
Doesn't this just make you want to pack your bags and head for the beach! I'm sitting here in 108 degree weather with smoke from the California wild fires settled in the Las Vegas valley. I'm just going to stare at this photo and pretend like I'm in a lounge chair with a nice cold drink. Ahhhhh.
Until then, SEND ME YOUR PHOTOS!!! I would love to feature your little princess wearing a Molly O on my blog.
Email your photos to molly@mollyodesigns.com
I was cleaning some of the files on my computer and came across this sweet photo sent in last summer by one of my customers. What a adorable little girl and a talented mommy! In fact, I just commissioned them to model/shoot some of my fall line. Don't worry, I'll post the pics as soon as I have them!
Doesn't this just make you want to pack your bags and head for the beach! I'm sitting here in 108 degree weather with smoke from the California wild fires settled in the Las Vegas valley. I'm just going to stare at this photo and pretend like I'm in a lounge chair with a nice cold drink. Ahhhhh.
Until then, SEND ME YOUR PHOTOS!!! I would love to feature your little princess wearing a Molly O on my blog.
Email your photos to molly@mollyodesigns.com
Thursday, June 19, 2008
HUGE Summer Sale!
So I just handed off all my fall samples to the manufacturer tonight! Woo Hoo! What a great feeling! I have a few more that are going out to be modeled but other then that, my fall line is out of my hands (insert huge sigh of relief).
But now I need to clear out all my summer inventory to make room for the new fall boutique lines (wait until you see what is coming for Fall 2008!). I have to say one of the dresses for fall is my all time FAVORITE dress. I hope all my customers love it just as much!
So, take a peak at my ebay store where you will find some amazing deals! All my summer inventory is 30-50% off! I will be adding more over the next day, so keep checking back.
Click Molly O Designs Store
Does anyone want a sneak peak for fall? O-kay, here is one of the fun and funky sets I have planned with tons of mix and match pieces!
Keep checking back because I have 4 full lines for fall plus some other fun holiday boutique pieces.
But now I need to clear out all my summer inventory to make room for the new fall boutique lines (wait until you see what is coming for Fall 2008!). I have to say one of the dresses for fall is my all time FAVORITE dress. I hope all my customers love it just as much!
So, take a peak at my ebay store where you will find some amazing deals! All my summer inventory is 30-50% off! I will be adding more over the next day, so keep checking back.
Click Molly O Designs Store
Does anyone want a sneak peak for fall? O-kay, here is one of the fun and funky sets I have planned with tons of mix and match pieces!
Keep checking back because I have 4 full lines for fall plus some other fun holiday boutique pieces.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mid-Year Resolutions
I don't think I made any New Year's resolutions this year, so maybe it is appropriate if I make some middle of the year resolutions. LOL. I swear I have good intentions to get so many things done. I have a list a mile long of all the things I would love to accomplish. And yet, it seems like I'm lucky to place any checks on that list at all. So, here are a few of my middle of the year, get myself in gear to accomplish a few things before another month goes by resolutions:
1. Post more then once every 3 weeks on my blog. Check! I have tons of new things coming for Fall 2008 including my ready to wear childrens boutique line! I have lots of material for my blog, so everyone bug me until I get it all posted.
2. Finish decorating my house. Wait, maybe I should break this resolution down to rooms. It seems like most of the rooms in my house are 75% done. Which means when you add them all up I have half a house to decorate. LOL. I just started taking down the wallpaper in our guest bathroom yesterday. Hmmmm, maybe not such a good idea since I have 2 chairs recovered in the kitchen and 2 with the old fabric (imagine 3 toddlers, lots of cheerios, spilled milk and all the other crusty/stickies that go with kids). Yum! Oh, and there is the newly converted playroom which still has a framed print that is from a vineyard. Hmmm, that doesn't really mix does it? Kids and wine decorations. Well, sometimes I drink wine after a long day with the kids, does that count? O-kay, I'm off track from my resolution already. Finish decorating my house. Check.
3. GET IN SHAPE!!! I know everyone says this, but really I can only use the excuse "I had 3 kids in 4 years" so many times. The baby is 2 1/2, time to get over it and stop looking like a Oompa Loompa!
4. Get ahead on my clothing line. This is a big one. I have a wonderful manufacturer that has been doing a lot of last minute things for me. BUT, I really need to get out of my comfort zone and plan at least 9 months ahead on my line. Which means, as soon as I hand off the rest of my samples tomorrow to my pattern maker, I need to book a trip to the LA fabric district to start shopping fabric for Spring/Summer 2009. Anyone in the mood to shop?
I think that is a pretty good list to start, right? Who wants to hold me accountable? Anyone else want to join me? My challenge to you is to do your own Mid-Year Resolution list on your blog. It will make you feel good to take inventory of your life.
1. Post more then once every 3 weeks on my blog. Check! I have tons of new things coming for Fall 2008 including my ready to wear childrens boutique line! I have lots of material for my blog, so everyone bug me until I get it all posted.
2. Finish decorating my house. Wait, maybe I should break this resolution down to rooms. It seems like most of the rooms in my house are 75% done. Which means when you add them all up I have half a house to decorate. LOL. I just started taking down the wallpaper in our guest bathroom yesterday. Hmmmm, maybe not such a good idea since I have 2 chairs recovered in the kitchen and 2 with the old fabric (imagine 3 toddlers, lots of cheerios, spilled milk and all the other crusty/stickies that go with kids). Yum! Oh, and there is the newly converted playroom which still has a framed print that is from a vineyard. Hmmm, that doesn't really mix does it? Kids and wine decorations. Well, sometimes I drink wine after a long day with the kids, does that count? O-kay, I'm off track from my resolution already. Finish decorating my house. Check.
3. GET IN SHAPE!!! I know everyone says this, but really I can only use the excuse "I had 3 kids in 4 years" so many times. The baby is 2 1/2, time to get over it and stop looking like a Oompa Loompa!
4. Get ahead on my clothing line. This is a big one. I have a wonderful manufacturer that has been doing a lot of last minute things for me. BUT, I really need to get out of my comfort zone and plan at least 9 months ahead on my line. Which means, as soon as I hand off the rest of my samples tomorrow to my pattern maker, I need to book a trip to the LA fabric district to start shopping fabric for Spring/Summer 2009. Anyone in the mood to shop?
I think that is a pretty good list to start, right? Who wants to hold me accountable? Anyone else want to join me? My challenge to you is to do your own Mid-Year Resolution list on your blog. It will make you feel good to take inventory of your life.
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