Compliment me MoM!

I can't believe I haven't written in a couple of months.  My life has been crazy, you know just quitting my business and doing my business full time, getting an antique booth, having a garden, setting up every Friday at the Farmers Market, completing 15-20 custom painted signs every week and taking care of a house and two little girls...plus my 32 year old baby (my husband).  So with our schedule there just hasn't been much time to sit down for 5 minutes, much less write a blog.  BUT something happened the other day and I HAVE to write about this as it really touched my heart on many levels.

I had the honor to judge two rodeo queen contest this past week.  As I was interviewing these cute little cowgirls I always end my interview with, "Okay this is your time to shine, tell me why I should choose you to be rodeo princess, what makes you the best candidate?"  It was at this moment I questioned, what are we teaching our children? What has society as a whole taught our little girls?
I interviewed three princesses (all under the age of 10) and they weren't able to tell me one good thing about themselves.  They shrugged their shoulders, one little girl had tears in her eyes.  I sat there, almost had tears in my eyes....thinking WOW.  I tried to help them by telling them how pretty they were and how they had a love for horses etc.  What made them so nervous that they couldn't come up with one positive trait about themselves?

As I was driving home from judging I couldn't help but wonder, "What will my 5  year old beautiful daughter say when I ask her?"  As I got home I sat outside with my cup of coffee and miss Riley comes outside and sits down beside me, I look at her and tell her, "You are so beautiful."  She smiles and says, "I know mom you tell me that all the time."  I look at her little freckles, her button nose, her dark brown eyes, blondish long hair and looked her right in the eyes and said to her, "I really mean it Riley, you are so beautiful, don't you ever forget that."  I then ask her the dreaded question (what have I been teaching her?)  "Riley can you tell me three great things about yourself?"  She sits there for a short minute and says, "I am beautiful, I am cute and I am funny. Mommy there are three good things about you too.  You are nice, sweet...well most of the time and you are a hard worker."  I had a slight smile on my face and said, "Thank you baby."

I just wanted to share this as we are so busy with our day to day life, please remember to tell your kids HOW and WHAT makes them unique and special.  Which brings me to my soap box of Hollywood, it is essential for our little girls and boys too but especially little girls to know what actual BEAUTY is.  Not only is beauty on the outside it is on the inside too.  Attitude is true beauty to me, I love it when a woman is confident.  Confidence is contagious and is a beautiful thing....have confidence and teach confidence to your children.  Yes I know there is a fine line between being cocky and confident....find the line. I want my girls to capitalize on their talents and know they are beautiful on the inside and outside. 

I am going to start complimenting my kids everyday....How about you?  How do you compliment, how do you teach confidence?  Leave me a comment :) 

My beautiful Riley Mae

CRAFT SHOW TIPS FROM A SIGN MAKER

 

 

CRAFT SHOW TIPS FROM A SIGN MAKER

(Cole Camp Craft Show Spring 2014)

 

There are many preparations when preparing for a craft show.  I thought I would share some of my experiences and tips I have found to be helpful and MAYBE you can use some of these tips to ensure you have a successful day as we have had!

 

ASK QUESTIONS  

  When applying for a show there are certain questions I always have....since our craft is large wood signs, I have to have ample amount of time to set up.  My favorite shows are when they allow you to set up the night before.  I don't know why, but I feel relaxed after my display is up, I get a good nights sleep and can finish decorating a couple hours before the show starts.  I have only done one show that did not allow us to set the night before and I swore I would never do it again.  I was rushed, my booth didn't flow well and it wasn't a good show....all of those put together made me wish I hadn't gone through all the work!  So that is always my first question,

CAN I SET UP THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HOW MUCH TIME TOTAL DO I HAVE TO SET UP MY BOOTH?

 

GAME PLAN

 GO in with a plan.  I always have an IDEA of how I think it should lay out.  I would love to be able to be typing that I have the time to set up my display before I go but that never happens, although a good idea...for many of us busy crafting moms we don't have the time to do this.  So just get organized in your head of how you want your booth to lay out.

 

ORGANIZE YOURSELF AND BOOTH

 Organizing, Organize, Organizing, Organize...did I mention organize?

Set up your totes the way you want to unload them.  I have crates and plastic tubs that I carry my signs into the show.  I bring everything in at one time.  I pack my signs by size, it makes it easy when going to display..."Oh I need a 24" x 12" sign here" and I know where to go to get it.

 

(extra tip: I like to keep product around my check out station, People have to come to you, so make them see your product...I always keep a little shelf sitter or candles etc on the counter (an item that is $2-$3.....I replaced this little welcome sign 5 times at this particular show.... it put another $10 in my pocket!)

 

 ORGANIZE YOUR CHECK OUT STATION

Here is a list that I make sure I never leave home without! (Remember I have a sign booth that is large so some of what is on my list deals with hanging)

make sure you have.... Change in a money bag, Pens, Business Cards, Scissors, extra price tags, "S" hooks for hanging, wire (you just never know if you will have to secure something) a hammer, nails (also for hanging), masking tape (you just never know), I keep all of this by my check out station at all times.  PRICE ALL OF YOUR ITEMS BEFORE YOU GET THERE!!

Other things to remember to bring:

tables, chairs, cloth to cover tables-Not necessary but creates more of a flow through your booth AND drap the cloth to the floor so you can put extra product or your tubs you brought product in with will fit under your tables perfectly!!

 

NON-COMMITMENT SPACE

Do what????? you might say.....I always make sure to display pieces on the outside of my booth.  For some reason walking into a booth can be intimidating to some people or they feel obligated to buy if they step into your "zone"  I know I always feel a little awkward if I go into a

 booth but don't buy anything. 

 

I find setting a narrow table with product displayed and signs hanging allows people to shop without being committed to you....then if they like what they see they may just come on into the booth and you may have another customer at your organized check out stand.  I always try to put a few of my best sellers in front FOR ATTENTION GRABBERS! 

 

(My "Non-Commitment Space)

Extra Tip:  Continue to fill these spaces once product sells, grab items that are high or really low IN YOUR BOOTH and put them out front as you continue to sell) 

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE FROM THIS BLOG...DO THIS....I PROMISE PUTTING PRODUCT OUT FRONT WILL PAY OFF!

 

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

 This was the 2nd show I have put signs in my display pieces....create crates or whatever you like to display your items on during your show....allow it to carry your product as well.....makes for easy set up and take down.

 

(This is a crate all the product is sitting on and around....put some cloth on top of it and you have a primitive piece that also carries product....I was able to fit 40 of my smaller signs in one!!!)

 

TELL YOUR STORY

Now I don't know about you BUT I hate a pushy sales person and one you feel like you can't get away from.....make people ask you.  I put a picture up of my girls on one of product tables....this is how RiOak got it's name....people ask and then I tell.  I never push product upon them unless they are asking questions.  A simple hi how are you today works great!  Of course you can tell people a little about your things like "Oh yes I love this piece it is one of my best sellers, as well as this sign here.  Are you looking for anything in particular?  If your interested we do custom work as well, take one of my business cards and look us up or give us a call.

Don't be the person no one can get away from!!!!!!  We all know the type.

 (An 8 x 10 framed picture that has been photo shopped with both of my girls names on it and our business name along with a post card that tells our story) Had several people ask about our name and it is so easy to point to the picture and explain.)

 

CREATE FLOW

You want to have product EVERYWHERE IN YOUR BOOTH----High, low, middle.  You want to pull people's eyes everywhere.  I always use the same color pallet on my signs so it is easy to decorate. And creates good flow. You want to make it easy for people to stand in your booth and move around, keep things around the edges so your customers can get in and get out!

 

( There are 7 people in my little 8x16 foot booth but everyone was still able to look around and not bump into each other)

 

extra tip: I carry small items (candle rings, candles, smell goods, a few baskets etc....it makes my booth look like a little store) It also is good for those that might not have much money but want to feel like they got something....I keep stalk of $1, $2, and $3 dollar items placed throughout my booth.  Has been a great seller for us. 

 

 

LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....NETWORK AND APPERANCE

Keep several business cards with you, talk to people, enjoy the show.  Have fun and look the part.  I made these little aprons that have my business name on it, this way when I am walking around people know who I am.  Visit with other vendors and see what other shows have been good for them.  I always try to buy from one or two vendors every show.  First I like to support local and Second it helps create other customers for you! 

Smile your there to make money.....and for me, live my dream! 

(Finishing touches....very happy that it is all done and ready for customers!! Have fun!!!!!!)

 

(My Riley--The "Ri" of RiOak)  She come to help mom take down the booth.....last tip, have a good set up and take down crew, sure does help and make for a smooth show.  We are blessed to have a supportive family.

 

I usually try not to post long BLOGS but I had so many ideas and tips, sorry this got a little windy.  I hope you enjoyed.  Until next time...Happy Creating and many smiles from RiOak to you!

 

Just Another Day in the life of RiOak

 

 

 

What is love? What is Marriage? A child's Opinion

I am sitting at the table painting as usually and I have my little helper, Riley.  We are talking about whatever the 5 year old thinks is important at the time and Riley says "I am going to marry Tommy, I am in LOVE with him."  I respond, "Really?  Riley tell me what is LOVE?"  Riley explained to me, "LOVE is really being in LOVE with someone."  So then I asked her, "Well what is marriage?" My five year old at this point literally sits there for a minute thinking. She then stated, "It is teamwork, it is hugging and kissing, marriage is working together." 

At this point I stop painting, I am sitting there staring at my child in disbelief.  My next thought was, we are doing something right.  Marriage is team work, Marriage is hugging and kissing, Marriage is working together.  Our children mimic and see more than we know.  My marriage is one of the most important treasures in my life, I love my husband.  Clint and I do work together, we are a great team, and we work at this everyday.  I didn't realize this is what our girls see in their everyday life.  I never really put much thought into it.   I had an overwhelming feeling of  comfort that came over me,  "Teamwork" is how my girls see how a marriage should be. 

In writing this blog topic today I was looking up divorce statistics, do you know that 50% of marriages will end in Divorce?  This is a sad statistic, the question is when did divorce become acceptable? I do believe there are certain marriages that are not meant to be and certain marriages that are toxic for everyone involved and there is no alternative but did you know that lack of communication is the number one reason people get divorced? Second reason for divorce is finances, obviously followed by abuse, affairs etc.  But what happened to the teamwork?  Marriage is not easy, you must work together and work at your marriage every day. It is too easy to say, "I'm done, I want out."  I can't imagine my life without my husband, my best friend, my team mate and I feel a marriage is something worth fighting and working for.

(My marriage advice:  Never forget....marry your best friend and keep your spouse as your best friend, have fun AND keep flirting)

How is your marriage? More importantly how do your kids perceive your marriage?  We learn by example, show your kids how things should be, not just tell them! 

Life WITHOUT Television



Our LIFE without T.V.

I blogged here about a month ago about making time for family and making Sunday nights our Movie Night...WELL we took this a step further.  I did the unthinkable I canceled our dish television three weeks ago.  This makes our movie night that much sweeter!  I have never known life without T.V.  so much so (sorry mom and dad, I am going to tell on you) my parents leave the T.V. on while they are gone for the dog...yes you read that right, the T.V. was on at my house 24/7 as I was growing up.  So when I say I have never known life without T.V. that is just what I mean!  With that being said you all know too well about our busy life.  We just don't watch that much T.V.  so being thrifty I thought, we are paying for $90 a month for Riley (my five year old)  to come home and watch the DVR of full house episodes over and over again.  This was ridiculous, so I called and canceled our subscription. 

Although I never watch T.V. I missed it the first two days, you know that feeling you get when you can no longer have something? AND now you want it more than ever? This feeling was short lived and by day three I was over my with drawl symptoms!

NOW HERE IS THE NEAT PART.  I hate to admit this about myself but YES I was one of those mom's when I came home from work Riley would ask, "Can I watch Full House?"  I would say, "Yes that will be good."  She would go down and watch T.V and play in the family room until dinner was ready.  I HAD TO CHANGE THIS, I WANT MY KIDS TO BE ACTIVE, I WANT MY KIDS TO PLAY, I WANT MY KIDS TO EXPERIENCE LIFE, NOT WATCH IT!  I have seen a whole new kid in the last three weeks.  The first few days was rough on Riley too.  BUT we have enjoyed playing cards together, playing blocks,,,,did you know sneaking on mom and dad's bed and jumping little sister around is about the best fun you can have, well Riley sure thinks so.  I have seen a happier child and more active child.  It has been amazing.  We still have our DVD player and thanks to the grandparents we about have a movie gallery so yes for bed time she can watch a short movie BUT no longer are we coming in and watching T.V.  we are living life WITHOUT the daily routine of T.V. 

Different strokes for different folks I know.  I use to be addicted to the reality shows and ARMY WIVES, I LOVED T.V.  but let me tell you, this might be one of the best decisions I have made in my life.  Not to mention we will be saving a little over $1,000 a year...WOW another perk!

 It was windy and cold this past weekend, I told Riley to bundle up and go outside and play.  She agreed, there was no sneering, no whinning, no saying, "No I just want to watch T.V"  she actually put on her boots and coat with hat and spent a lot of time outside. 

I have had people tell me, "Your Family time is important don't get so busy making a living you forget to live."  I agree with this on a certain level.  I know I discuss our daily schedules and although busy, GUESS WHAT?  Most of this time is with my girls.  They are sitting at the table talking to me or playing around me while I paint, they paint with me, or they are in bed before I even start.  Today when I got home we played. I don't mean I sat there and watched them, I played.  Kids don't care if your having fun or not, they are having fun because you are actively doing something with them.  We collected trash out of the yard (yea like I thought this was fun,,,,but we were on a treasure hunt) we got out the side walk chalk and made hearts and bear paws....rooooarrrr!  Then came inside for left overs because it was already seven by the time we got done from our adventures!  Then as we are getting ready for bed I told Riley, "Let's play CraZy Eights"  We played a few games and laughed and talked about the day.  While I am writing this blog,  she is in her quiet time of watching a movie but I spent three quality hours with my girls today. The amount of TIME isn't that important in my book, it's quality.  If you come home cook dinner, run here, run there, then settle down to watch T.V. read a book,  or sit on the computer for 2 hours, how much quality time have you spent with your kids?

I would highly recommend trying this Life WITHOUT Television, especially if you have kids.  No I don't feel T.V. is the devil, I don't feel like T.V. is to blame for all the bad in the world but what I do know is I have spent countless hours watching T.V. in my life. I can't help but think just how much I could have gotten done without it!  Please share your questions or comments! 

Just another day in the life of RiOak!

Marketing your Small Business, "Don't hate Wal-Mart....."

I would like to start this blog off by saying I am in no means an expert on anything when it comes to business,,,,there has been many trial and errors a long our way but I thought I would share a few tips that have been very beneficial to our small home based business.

Vinyl Lettering, an affordable way to advertise your business!

 

 

This is new for us, but I do believe this is one of the best advertisements you can have.  Everywhere you go you are marketing.....getting your name out in the public is vital to having a successful business.  So how do you do this?  I have found Facebook to be a GREAT way to get your name out there!  We run giveaways and have had a great success.  We have over 2,000 likes now, I never dreamed our little home based business would have this many likes (the town we live in only has 1,023 population!) Do I push it, YES sometimes I do.  Are we BUSY yes we are BUT it is because I stay consistent in posting and getting our name out there.  Don't feel as if you are going to bother people, they have hit like because they like your page.  Facebook has changed their policy with how many of your fans get to see your post (it's not very many)  So more than likely not even a fourth of your fans will see your post,,,,,so post away!  It's the only way for your fans to see what you have!

 

(1900 like giveaway done at RiOak)

Tip: Make your giveaways good this way people will share, the more people who share the more people see your post!

 

Tell PEOPLE!!  Do you know everywhere I go I leave a business card?  I love those places (farm stores, restaurants etc.) that have those bulletin boards by the bathrooms....you know the ones I am talking about?  I leave them everywhere!  On a number of occasions when I am in the check out line and buying supplies (paint, brushes, fabric and so on, AND so on)  more times than I can count I have had cashiers ask about what project I am doing.  Here is what I say...Marketing one on one,,,,short and sweet.  "Oh I am sign painter, I paint custom wood signs for people, are you on facebook?"  If they say yes, I hand them a business card and tell them, "Here check us out sometime, I have a variety of projects I have done for people."  If they say no, I still hand them a business card and say, "Our pictures of most of work is on facebook BUT if you need any type of custom gift for a wedding or baby shower we enjoy creating and even do free consultations."  Then I smile load my cart and walk off.  People don't care to hear about every detail, (I was a marketing director for a very short time...BUT what I learned was you have about 30 seconds to impress someone, if you don't capture them in the first 15 seconds you have lost them...make every second count).

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE, CUSTOMER SERVICE, CUSTOMER SERVICE.....the customer is always right!  Keep your customer's informed.  I have to admit with everything I have going on I sometimes don't communicate the best, but I strive to make happy customers, THE BEST ADVERTISEMENT IS WORD OF MOUTH!  I had a customer call me and order a sign because someone had brought one of my signs into WalMart and they had seen it.....asked for the business card on the sign and then she called me...WOW there's those business cards again. 

 

MAKE A GOOD PRODUCT.  This will help the word of mouth.  People are willing to pay for good craftsmanship, AMERICAN made products.  Famous words of my husband, "If your going to do it, do it right."  We have improved our signs and improved our signs.  We always are looking for more ways to make a better quality sign and a sign that will last a lifetime (or at least as long as the person wants it in their home).  I love the words from customers, "It's better than I could have imagined."  I know when I have heard this statement it was a job well done.

 

 

It seems pretty simple....maybe easier said than done.

1. Let people know about you.

2. Social Media is great -Facebook, Pinterest, AND blogging.  GET OUT THERE

3. Great customer service.

4. A great product.

 

If you can do all four of these I believe you will have a successful business.  Keep in mind if you don't someone else will.  This is by no way the "Correct Formula" or everything it takes to have a great business but this is what has helped us so far.

 

 I think it is great to help promote other small home businesses but let's face it business is competitive and really it is cut throat.  You know why?  Money is involved.  I mean I seriously doubt K-Mart and Wal Mart share their ideas or "know how" with one another.  I realize this is on a big scale but I think we can learn from it.  I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite speakers, Dave Ramsey, "Don't hate Wal-Mart, Learn from them, they are marketing geniuses."  

 

 

Hope you all enjoyed some sunshine as me and my family did today, the Vitamin D was much needed!

Journey of RiOak- Part 2

So we had a name, RiOak Western Design.  We honestly had no idea what our goals were or what we were doing...BUT we knew we had a work ethic, the willingness to learn and an eye for decorating and colors.  We started going to craft shows and meeting people.  My mom went with me (craft shows just aren't Clint's thing) it was so much fun decorating my booth and seeing people actually come in and buy what I was making, my pride and heart swelled with excitement.  


During Thanksgiving of 2012 my husband's cousin said, "Ashley we should start a business page for you."  I said, "Sure that would be great."  It was at this moment looking back our business was about to take on a whole new level that we never would have thought was possible.  I posted a few signs I had left over from the craft shows as well as some wreaths and odd and ends....they sold....hmmmm "This could be neat."  It was in March someone messaged me to do a wedding sign...."You want me to custom paint a sign for you?"  I was so nervous....Remember I never saw myself as artistic.  I couldn't believe someone actually had contacted me to hand paint a sign....It was March 18th of 2013 my life changed as I knew it, I painted it, posted it and two more orders came in.  Then I did my brother and sister in law's wedding in April.  A few more orders came, then I had 10 orders on the books.  I was so nervous when I started.  All the thoughts run through your head, "Am I good enough?"  "What happens if they don't like it?"   

                                                   (First Custom Order every completed)
Well the answer....have I improved---YES, Have I learned----YES, do I know how to fully run my business with no problems and know how to do everything....NO--BUT we are on a great, great, great journey.

We started being 2 weeks out, then three....then we decided if we were going to continue to grow our business we had to move... our house had no storage and we just couldn't breathe with all of my signs EVERYWHERE, so September 2013 we moved to our new home,  it has so much potential to house RiOak.  We are very excited about redoing the sign shop, it is 3,000 square feet...ahhhhh (it is in pretty rough shape but definite  potential---With a large office space,,,,maybe this will be my store front one day!

Our family has been a huge help in our Business, at least once a month my in laws take the girls for a day or two.  My parents have helped with the craft shows, paint, come over and cook for us while we work and or take the girls for a few hours.  This business has many factors that play into this to make it successful.

So in a nut shell this is RiOak and we are still on our journey---We LOVE our family, we LOVE our time together and We LOVE running this business.  It is exciting to have a blog to document our journey as we proceed.

Future BLOGS:  Craft Show List and Tips, Patience, Who is the Woman behind RiOak,
Counselor Ashley, Grudges and Anger, Politics....should I? (that might not be a good one)

Which one should I do next??  Comment and let me know!

The Journey of RiOak-Part 1

Part 1-Our story!
Our story is not elaborate, it is not dreamy, it is not a fairy tale.  No one inspired us, it was something, it was a simple Welcome sign that I have had hanging in my house for several years. 

(Not the best picture but here it is!)

I was 7 months pregnant and hormonal, wanting to feel useful (I guess I figured growing a human just wasn't enough).  I told my husband as I was looking at the sign, "I am going to make wood signs like that."  He smiled, nodded his head and said, "I will cut you some wood."  That was beginning of of my idea.  I started out doing stick lettering, I thought they looked great, looking back......Oh MY, they were horrible!!!  But I was so proud of myself, I have one of my very first sign I did I will post that sometime!  It was not good, not good at all....BUT beauty is in the eyes of the beholder! 

As I was talking to my mom (I talk to my mom daily, she is my best friend :) I was telling her about my business idea ( I say Idea because honestly nothing about this at this point was planned) she said, "Well I think you would enjoy it, what are you going to call your business?"  I have always loved the idea of "Ashberry" so I told her I was leaning towards that....she said, "You know what would really be unique, different and neat? RiOak....for Riley and Oaklee......" My eyes lit up and that day sitting at my kitchen table, it was remarkable.....My business had a name, RiOak Western Design.
 Stay tuned for Party 2, I will write it Friday Night! (If you read this, leave me a comment about your business names, or a the neatest business name you have heard)