We’re still on school holidays here, one more week to go, so work has been sporatic. I’m looking forward to getting back into a routine and also withe the new direction I’m taking.

So what have I been up to. Well at the beginning of the year was sister was diagnosed with PND. It was physically and mentally exhausting. It was really hard to see watch her go through that and know that I could do absolutely nothing to help. the fight with the mental health system was not easy either. I cannot believe the lack of resources there is to help someone with severe PND.
So a lot of everything was put on hold to help my sister and I’m glad to report she is doing so much better which is a relief for us all.

The business issue I started writing about last year which resulted in a lot of confusion and unknown is that my franchisor is currently being investigated by the ACCC. I found out a lot of info that is very disturbing. I don’t have a lot of info to pass on because I lost files from my computer which contained all of my documents.

So once I found out most of what was going on, and noboy was quite sure where I would stand in business if he was found to be in breach, I decided I would start my own range.

Ally (www.webgraphicsbyemail.com) has designed 12 brand new gorgeous weddig wrappers for me. See www.MomentsInChocolate.com.au in the wedding category for her fabulous work. I’m so impressed. And she will be doing an entire range for me over the next coming months. A much more modern, classy range which I’m really excited about.

I have also finally emailed you Donna-Marie for some copywriting work. I want to shift focus to wedding planners/coordinators and wedding function centres because I think there will a lot more sales from that area. I will still be doing retail sales.

I have also gotten a move on with my baby hand and feet casting kits. EBay saw a fair bit of interest for me. Not so much in the last few weeks, I assume because of the new Paypal changes, so it’s about time I created my own website. Ally will be doing the design for me and I’ve decided to go with www.my-shop.com.au for a hosted shopping cart. It’s relatively new I believe but looks easy to manage and is a good price.

So I’ve been busy and will be very busy over the next few weeks trying to get both stores set up. I want to re-do Moments In Chocolate on www.my-shop.com.au as well because I’ve had a few issues with different things to do with that shop.

I guess that’s where I’m up to at the moment. I’m seriously considering Clixgalore provided it works with My Shop. I’ve heard a lot of good feedback about Clix so I’m hoping to try it out. And I’m on the lookout for some out of the box baby advertising.

I had an email from a huge shopping centre wanting Valentine’s mini chocolate bars. If it were economical it would become a regular order for occasions throughout the year. It was for 5000 mini bars!! All of my (business) Christmases would have come at once with that one. I sent off the quote, expenses plus a reasonable profit for myself, and I got a reply to say she had found a cheaper price more within their budget. I completely understand that. I know cost plays a huge part in transactions. Just abit bummed I was undercut.

So I’m having Ally do up new wedding wrapper designs for me. I’m waiting on permission from a few Flickr photographers whose images I am keen to use so I can get my stuff to Ally.
I currently buy my wrappers from my franchisor so it didn’t surprise me to learn that it would be cheaper to have my own wrappers printed as they are obviously making a profit also.

But I had a quick look at costs if I were to get the mini wrappers printed by my own printer and it is so considerably less I am shocked. It is almost a 1/4 the cost of having my own wrappers printed than buying them from my franchisor. This would allow me to cut my own prices considerably without cutting into expenses, my profit or the quality. Just a more cost effective product.

Looks like Ally is getting more work from me now lol. I had always planned to get her to do up some designs for the mini wrappers but this new knowledge will mean I get it done sooner rather than later.

Like I mentioned before, I am waiting on permission for a few images and then I can give the go ahead for the design of 6 new wedding wrappers. I think that’s reasonable to begin with. It’ll be a more modern image with beautiful wedding cakes, modern dresses walking down the aisle and a beach wedding themed wrapper. The wrappers I have in stock currently are literally 10-12 years old and the new wrappers the franchisor had done are just tweaked colours and images of the olds ones so not a drastic change.

Very excited but I’m sure I’ve mentioned that several times previously

DECEMBER:
Loyal and generous.
Sexy.
Patriotic.
Active in games and interactions.
Impatient and hasty.
Ambitious.
Influential in organizations.
Fun to be with. 
Loves to socialize. 
Loves praises. 
Loves attention. 
Loves to be loved. 
Honest and trustworthy. 
Not pretending. 
Short tempered. 
Changing personality. 
Not egotistic. 
Take high pride in oneself. 
Hates restrictions. 
Loves to joke. 
Good sense of humor. 
Logical.

Yes, I would say the majority of that is true of myself. Very interesting to read.

Even though I’ve still been working, I haven’t been as much and it’s been to have a good break. It’s nice laying on the lounge with nothing urgently to be done and I’m sure the kids appreciate a more relaxed me too.

Official going back time is 7th January. I’ve still been working on a few things and ideas. Most notably my new wrapper range. Ally from www.webgraphicsbyemail.com who is fabulous by the way will be designing 7 new wedding wrappers for me this year. Some stuff came up business wise where I feel the need to protect the business I’ve built up. Along the lines of complaints, breaches and a fairly alarming phone call a little while back which caused a lot of panic for me. I won’t go into details because I haven’t heard any further as yet but this was the confusing entry I did recently. So to protect what I have built up myself I am getting firstly some new wedding wrappers designed while still selling the current range and then I will look into getting a whole new range designed across all categories. Very exciting stuff.

Also, on my list to contact when I officially go back to work is Donna-Marie of course who will do some copywriting for me. Looking forward to that too.

I will also be having my website re-done mostly in the colour layout. I’m going with 2 chocolate related colours to make everyone taste the chocolate just by looking at my site.

Even though I’ve been in business for 5 years I feel like I have only REALLY been in business for the past year. Before 2007 I had pregnancies and babies and an operation to deal with so business was sort of put on the backburner. But I feel like 2007 was a huge leap forward for me and that 2008 will be even better.

I’m so looking forward to having a modern range of wedding wrappers designed. I have trawled Flickr for hours searching for images. The Creative Commons license on there allows businesses to use the images for commercial use if you attribute to the photographer. I have contacted some where I am definitely using the images and others I will once I decide. I’m realy looking forward to it.

The end of the story is my dog had chewed the phone cable out from underneath the house. Arrghhh. Do not even want to think about what that’s going to cost me as my fault this close to Christmas. But it feels very much like The dog ate my homework.

I am back online, slowly catching up as you do. Newsletter went out today in a fairly basic form. Thats all thats needed.

And even though this is somewhat of a public arena I will say I am getting a little bit annoyed with the time my web designer is taking. I emailed her in October regarding some website changes I wanted made, the main being the colour to chocolate related colours which I am very much looking forward to. I then had to email her a few weeks later to see if she got my email. She had been sick. No problem. I have 5 kids. I completely understand that things happen. So I re-emailed her the changes I wanted made. No answer. I emailed her about a week ago to see if she’d gotten my email. No answer as of yet. 
I don’t have so uch of a problem with the time, it’s more the fact that there is no email to say blah blah is happening I will attend in blah blah time or get back to you. I’m not fussy. This would more than satisfy me.

If I knew how to make an Oscommerce change I would just do it myself but I have looked and looked for the file I need but can’t find it. I make al the other changes myself but this file I just cannot find. With only so few weeks left until Christmas I don’t even have the spare cash anymore but I would still like to be informed of where I’m up to with my enquiry.
Vent over.

I have no idea what to say about my last entry. If this was more of a private place I would reveal it but I just don’t know who is reading or who may hear about it. Frustrating that I can’t get it all out.
But I will say that I am in the beginning stages of talks with an awesome graphic designer who is going to do some awesome graphic work for me in the New Year. Ally from www.webgraphicsbyemail.com is lovely, talented and I can’t wait to reveal what she will be doing for me.

2008 is already shaping up to a busy and productive year. Yay for me.

One thing I have determined is advertising just does not work for me. People find it hard to buy chocolate online as they don’t know whether it’s dodgy chocolate or not (it’s yummy Belgian chocolate by the way) and I always hear that my customers are surprised by the actual size and quality of my product. It’s hard to see it from an image.

So, promotion will be through
Competitions. I have Jan booked (Diva Promotions) and February booked (Shop-Online)
Articles - I am slowly getting through them now
Buzz Bags - samples definitely work the best for me so I look forward to sharing samples with everyone
Special offers via websites - such as buy 5 bars get one free, that sort of thing
Press release and media write ups - this needs to be something I seriously look at next year
Make my focus on the bridal and business market and promote my wedding and business samples through appropriate websites such as Mums In Business and the like
Get into forums as a receommended supplier - the word of mouth aspect
Advertise in relevant business newsletters
And any paid advertising I do as finances allow I will go through the Diva Promotions website as Emma has some great deals running

So this is what I will stick to next year.

I’ve emailed Donna-Marie to get some copywriting done. That will have to be early next year as I’m all cashed out in regards to business development at this stage (and buying for 5 kids for Christmas is a HUGE money drain lol)

She will help me with the letters I send out with my wedding and business samples plus do a follow up for me to email out a few days after the samples go out. Plus give me a set in concrete professional business description. Whenever I list my business I struggle a bit with how it should be written so it’s appealing and professional. I have delicious chocolate bars, professionally designed glossy wrappers which can be fully personalised….but yeh, I need a  professinal writer to give me an edge and so it’s exactly the same every single time. I have a Facebook page, once again business description. All I wrote was Celebrate your special moments with Personalised Chocolate Bars. Not sure what else is relevant, what will draw customers in, I’m sure I’m not the only one, so I’m paying to get it done. Great prices too.
www.jacaranda-business-support.com

I’ve also created a Moments In Chocolate facebook page if anyone is interested in swapping ‘fan’ status with me.

So whats new?
I have started my own little competitions. I got myself an account with Mail Magic and while I haven’t exactly mastered html newsletters at least paying for it each month ensures I actually do send it each month.
November saw my first competition for everyone who has signed up for thenewsletter via the homepage. (The chocolate coloured signup box) and I gave away 10 Choc Delight Bars. The winner chose a Christmas wrapper, good choice, and his prize will be sent on Monday.
Next draw date is the 1st December.

I paid for a website review. I am not sure if I mentioned it in my last entry or even if I’d had it done by my last entry. But it’s never a bad thing to plug a good business. Kathie from www.fixmybusiness.com.au great work she does, gave my website a review and she did a fantastic job, gave me lots of useful advice and I am currently waiting on my web designer to turn my website into some lovely shades of chocolate colours. Of course, it only makes sense once someone tells you to do it but why wouldn’t a chocolate business have a website in chocolate colours. Will be happy to show off that once it comes to fruition.

I am STILL trying to do articles. I am nearly finished 2 Christmas related ones but a slight lack of confidence seems to be getting in the way. You know, surely I don’t have anything worthwhile to say. I’ll get over it but it’s probably a bit late to try and promote Christmas now.

I’ve fiddled with a few things on my website. Some quantities and prices and descriptions and things. I’ve done a few weddings, egagements and anniversary chocolates lately. Must be the season for it. A 50th AND a 60th wedding anniversary. Good for them.

I also started listing my DIY baby hand and feet casting kits on eBay. I have listed 3 by auction and sold all 3. I now have 5 up as Buy It Now there for another 8 days. I was quite surprised to see the first 3 go so quickly especially considering I am not the only casting kit supplier selling one eBay. I took a lot of care while writing the description, aimed it at the customer rather than selling the product if that makes sense, so I like to think it was my excellent writing that sold the product
But I am happy. I am almost positive I will not be going ahead with the whole baby keepsake business now and just continue to list on eBay. The cost of logo, website, promotion, hosting, URL etc versus $1.83 to list on eBay just doesn’t sit on level ground to me.

I am excited to be going into 2008. I feel like this year has been my first year in business. The actual first year I bought the franchise I feel pregnant. I’ve had 3 pregnancies (and 3 babies) plus an operation and a handful of hospitalisations during teh course of teh business so I did actually feel like it was a hobby as I didn’t have a lot of time and energy to devote to it…and the bank balance showed. So 2007 has been a turning point for me. And I bet 2008 will be even better.

I’m also sticking to no paid advertising. Apart from the fact that I don’t like parting with that much money (it scares me what print advertising costs) I think promoting myself through newsletters, articles, samples, competitions and press releases is definitely the way to go. Word of mouth works much better for me as does customers being able to taste my chocolate for themselves. And the chocolate is yummy Belgian chocolate. I should know, I’ve been buying extra from my supplier so I can eat the bars without eating into profit….literally.

And to put an end to the rambling. I have a competition ending 30th November over at The National Premmie Foundation found at www.prembaby.org.au I’m sure we all agree they do such wonderful work. So go and visit them…and enter to win some of my yummy personalised chocolate bars

Anyway, back to business. I have been busy these holidays. The first week my mum took my 2 boys for a couple of nights so I was able to knuckle down and get some work done. Although not the articles yet. They are still on my list.

I emailed a few business owners about donating a prize to their websites.
A wedding comp just finished at www.beautyandlace.com.au plus we’ll be in the next Beauty and Lace Box that goes out. 150 mini sample bars.
www.prembaby.org.au is running a comp plus I’m doing a prize display on their stand at the Melbourne PBC Expo this month. 5 (I think) premmie groups have joined together and will be launching The National premmie Foundation. Good stuff.
www.themummyplanner.com is running one soon
And I just sorted out a comp with www.bellybumpstobabyhugs.com.au (Ithink, I will have to double check that URL)

I have samples going into 200 showbags at the Young Living Business Mums Expo in Canberra this month. See www.themarketingcoach.com.au

I also did purchase my first month of Mail Magic www.mailmagic.com.au and it has been great so far. 6 subscribers since I set it up last week so not all bad. I sent out a newsletter for October which is something I have been slack with. Far less cost to market to your current customers right? So now that I’m paying for a newsletter program I know I will be motivated to send out newsletters.

And I have to give a HUGE plug to Kathie at www.fixmybusiness.com.au She offered some wonderful advice to me about my website, as I’m wanting more sales and customers (who doesn’t), and it was so great that I paid for a website review and it was worth every cent. I’m so impressed. I changed some of the content and implemented a few practices which I know will help me in the long run. And on her advice my website is getting a colour makeover once my web designer gets back to me with a cost. I tried to do it myself but couldn’t find the right files lol.

So things are going well. I tested part of my baby hand and feet DIY kit and it will go on ebay soon to test the product and cost. My hope is that eventually, with more money of course, that I will set up a baby keepsake online store. So this is a start.

My articles I will try very hard to sit down and finish off this week once the boys go back to school. I don’t mind so much anymore that I haven’t done it as I thought of another angle to use for one of the articles so I’ll get stuck into that soon.

I also tried to start up a Myspace and a Blogger in the hopes of further promoting myself but geez, I just haven’t had any spare time to even write an entry let alone actually doing something useful with it. So I’ll just stick with my Mumspace

Got a few things going on. Need to get chocs ready for the PBC Expo. I’m providing a prize for their stand. Beauty and Lace have a wedding competition of mine running at the moment.
I am still working on these articles. If I had the spare cash I’d pay someone to do it lol. I’m sick of them.

I also have pics and instructions and a DIY kit ready to go. Need to list it on ebay. I’m a bit nervous tbh. You never know what the interest will be like. But hoping to make some extra cash of course.

Ummm can’t think of what else but I’ve been pretty busy. Starting to look at pricing and all that too. I don’t know if I’m priced too high. It seems I get heaps of visits, lots of people adding to their favourites but not the average sales conversion rate. I know its hard to tell because I’m occasion specific but I don’t know what it is. Something to think about these holidays anyway.

Also I REALLY need to get this Mail Amgic newsletter thing going. I think I’m losing a lot of opportunities through not grabbing their emails and not emailing regularly due to my slackness. I bet if I had to pay for the program I’d keep it up so as not to waste money.

Actually that is my goal this weekend. Set up Mail Magic.