Archive for September, 2009
“When people show you who they are, believe them.” – Maya Angelou
This is one of the hardest lessons for me. I struggle with it all the time. See, I believe that people are inherently good…that given a choice they will do the right thing. I take people at face value and believe that they are honest and truthful.
People will always show you their true character. But we don’t want to believe. That little nagging doubt starts in the pit of your stomach, but we don’t want to believe. We make excuse after excuse, but we don’t want to believe. We continue to give them the benefit of the doubt, because the alternative is too painful.
But eventually, people can only put on a mask for so long, and who they really are underneath it all erodes the mask away.
This theme of “when people show you who they are, believe them”, has been playing out both in my personal life and at work. I just had to terminate a long-term employee because underneath it all, they didn’t have my (or my company’s) back. Incredibly painful thing to do.
This is one of those life lessons that just keeps showing up for me. I hope I can learn it soon…
The Inc. 500/5000 Awards Gala was an amazing night. I was so honored to be in the room with so many successful business men and women. Here are a few pictures:
We have 241 new items this week, including "Autumn Bliss" by Little Yellow Bicycle, "Wicked", "Ghoulies", "Growing Up" and "Sea World Penguins" by Creative Imaginations, "Paradise Found" and "Queen of the Crop" by Moxxie, "Road Trip" by K&Co, and stickers from EK Success, including Peanuts Halloween. We also have the limited edition "Think Pink" Slice by Making Memories.
The SYT designers were also working on the following themes this week: Amsterdam, Austria, Baby, Basketball, California, Canada, Fall, Farm, Football, France, Gettysburg, Gymnastics, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Lake, Las Vegas, Love, Mexico, Michigan, Military, Ohio, Romania, School, Soccer and Travel.
We have two custom papers – Chalkboard (my fave) and Halloween Stripe and two custom die cuts – a monogrammed suitcase and a director’s chair.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/9302009.html.
We’ve also got 241 items on sale this week at 25% off. Click here to see all the sale items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html.
We have an awesome tool deal to pass along to you this week! It’s a pink tool bag, pink Cutterpede trimmer, purple Vario Adhesive, Vario adhesive refill, and Cutterbee scissors. The value of all these tools is $80.45, but we got a GREAT deal on them, and we are passing along to you for only $19.99. Start thinking holiday gifts! These would also make great teacher gifts.
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
September 30th, 2009
Hello from Washington DC! I have not left the hotel and convention center since Wednesday, but I don’t care! The Inc. 500/5000 conference is absolutely amazing!
In the last two days, I have listened to Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, Robert Johnson, founder of BET Television Network, Jill Blashack Strahan, founder of Tastefully Simple, David Neeleman, founder of Jet Blue and Jim Collins, author of my favorite business book, “Good to Great”. I even ended up at the same lunch table yesterday as Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese (I thanked him profusely for ALL the wonderful hours of birthday party fun at Chuck E. Cheese!)
Everyone is still talking about Tony Hsieh. He was humble, unassuming, comfortable in his own skin and brilliant. He talked about how the vision of Zappos has changed over the years. They started out as a company that sells shoes but changed their vision to be a company that provides the best possible customer experience who also just happens to sell shoes (and all the other things they sell now).
Want to know what the Zappos vision is now? Deliver Happiness in a box. Isn’t that incredible?
The really interesting thing about listening to all these amazing business speakers is, in the end, what they are really talking about is life. Live by your core values and principles…deliver the best possible experience…deliver happiness. Because, at the end of the day, isn’t that all we really want? To be happy.
I am really happy I came here. Thank you to all of you who convinced me to come.
Time to get ready for the Black Tie Gala!
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If you’d like a little scrapbook happiness in a box, don’t miss our SYT exclusive paper sale. All papers starting with SYT-P are 15% off. Just enter coupon code SYTPAPER0909 until 11:59 pm Eastern Time tonight. One coupon code per order, please.
As always, thanks for your business!
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/JulieSwatek
www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
www.twitter.com/JulieSwatek
September 25th, 2009
I’ve always wanted to be a “journaler”. I can’t tell you how many beautiful notebooks and journals I have purchased. I have two drawers full, just at the office! I thought that the better the notebook, the better chance I stood of actually using it. It didn’t work.
One time, I tried “morning pages”, based on “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. The concept is that you write for three pages every morning. Just whatever happens to pop into your head and come out on paper. Even though I had a really cool notebook, I only made it for two mornings.
Now that I have some time to myself, I am proud to announce that I have finally started! When I moved into my condo, it was over two weeks before I got TV and internet access. Let me tell you, it’s REALLY quiet with no TV and no internet access. So quiet, that I was actually able to hear some of the stuff that had been bouncing around in my head.
So I sat down with a notebook (not even the prettiest one) and stuff just came spilling out. And out. And out. I have gone from “not a journaler” to “everyday journaler”. Some days, even a “twice-a-day journaler”.
All this writing has been very cathartic. I can start out writing in a bad mood and end up in a good one or vice versa. Sometimes my hand can’t keep up with my brain and sometimes it takes awhile to put words to my thoughts. Sometimes it comes out so fast I can barely read my handwriting after.
The other thing I have found is that my psyche is like an onion…so many layers! It’s amazing all the things that pop up after you get the first layer removed.
So, here’s my challenge to you. Can you find some time in your life to “go quiet” and see what’s there? I think we all owe it to ourselves.
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We have 244 new items this week, including "Trick or Treat" and "Miss Halloween" from Reminisce, "Woodland Whimsy". "Transportation" and "Mr. and Mrs." from The Paper Company and gorgeous new papers and stickers in over 20 categories from one of my favorite manufacturers – Paper House.
There are 4 new layouts in the Shop By Layout section. Click here to see :
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
The SYT designers were also working on the following themes this week: Baseball, Chicago, China, Cruise, Cycling, Disney, Fall, Fencing, Football, Halloween, Harley, Hawaii, Homecoming, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Love, Marriage, Mexico, Oktoberfest, Paintball, Portland, Puerto Rico, School, Scouts, Scrapbooking, Southwest, Thailand, Travel, Turkey, Utah, Volleyball, Wine and Wizard of Oz
We have two custom papers – both are Cheerleading Uniforms and two custom die cuts – "Adventures in …" and Homecoming Game.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/9232009.html.
We’ve also got 244 items on sale this week at 25% off. Click here to see all the sale items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html.
Love the photo realism look? All SYT exclusive papers are on sale this week at 15% off. Any Item# starting with SYT-P is eligible for 15% off with coupon code: SYTPAPER0909 (*Valid September 23 – September 25, 2009. Cannot be used on previous orders. Cannot be used towards future orders. 15% Offer is only good on Item #s starting with SYT-P. Cannot be used with any other coupons and/or offers.)
Congrats to Stacey Webster, Shelly Matson and Pat Crocker! You are the newest SYT VIP’s! Coupon codes good for 30% every order for the rest of the year on their way to you!
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
September 23rd, 2009
I love Disney World! I am so happy to live so close!
The new way I take the kids to school from my house is to cut through the back part of the Magic Kingdom. It brings back such memories for me. I was a Disney intern back in the spring of ’88 – an “MKCP”. It stands for “Magic Kingdom College Program”, but we always referred to it as “Magic Kingdom Closing Personnel”.
Every morning I take them to school, I drive by the “tunnels” – the Magic Kingdom is built over the top of an underground tunnel system – to keep the non-“magic” things hidden. I can remember being 20 years old and passing Michael Jackson in the tunnels. It’s how they got him from ride to ride.
This morning, we had to wait for the train…the Magic Kingdom train, that is, to cross the road from its nighttime home into the park. The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.
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How does 30% off every order for the rest of the year sound? We’re giving away three Scrap Your Trip VIP passes good for a 30% discount until 12/31/09. All orders placed by 11:59 pm Eastern Time tonight, 9/18/09, will be entered to win!
As always, thanks for your business!
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/JulieSwatek
www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
www.twitter.com/JulieSwatek
September 18th, 2009
My “get healthy and fit” quest has had lots of unintended consequences. Like finally trying on my “skinny jeans”. You know, the ones hanging in the back of your closet, your favorite ones you swore you’d get back into one day. Well, I finally tried them on and guess what? They were too big! Everything is my closet is falling off of me.
As of this morning, I have lost 19.5 pounds, so nothing fits. Which is a good thing, don’t get me wrong, but now nothing fits! Buying new clothes is fun, but a whole closet full? Not so fun.
On Monday I went dress shopping for a formal dress to wear to the Inc. 5000 Awards Gala (I took all of your advice and decided to go!) It was the funniest thing tying on dresses. The me I see in the mirror is not the same size as the actual me. I kept having to send the salesperson to get smaller sizes. Even now, with my fantastic dress hanging in my closet, I keep looking at it and thinking “There is no way that fits me”!
I can climb stairs without getting winded…carry stuff that used to be too heavy…and get up from sitting on the floor a lot easier now. But probably the best unintended consequence is the effect on my 6-year old son, Logan.
He wants muscles! Big muscles like Daddy. So, he is always “working out” with my weights. Every time he lifts one, he comes over and says “Mommy, feel my muscles! I’ve been working out!” He is also obsessed with getting a “six pack”. A few weeks ago, he pulled up his shirt, pushed both hands with four fingers each into his stomach, and said “Look! I have an eight-pack!”
However, I didn’t realize the extent of his muscle obsession until he drew me the following pictures over the weekend.
Look at those biceps!
He’s making the "I’m lifting weights" face
We have 249 new items this week, including "The Halloween Collection" and "Autumn Forest" from Reminisce, "Sweetie Pie" from Best Creations, "Bad to the Bone" and "Ancestral" from The Paper Company, sports paper and stickers from Stamping Station and "Eskimo Kisses", the new Christmas line from BasicGrey.
I can’t believe we’re putting up Christmas stuff when it’s still in the 90′s here in Florida! But, I know card making season is upon us. Wow! I need to get started!
There are tons of new layouts in the Shop By Layout section. Click here to see :
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/shopbylayout.html
The SYT designers were also working on the following themes this week: Baby, Baseball, Beach, Canada, Chicago, Construction, Egypt, Fall, Halloween, Italy, Kids, Music, Paris, Racing, Sailing, School, Softball, Sunflowers, Swimming, Track and Travel.
We have two custom papers – Sports Grass and Old Fashioned and two custom die cuts – a trophy and race flags.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/9162009.html.
We’ve also got 249 items on sale this week at 25% off. Click here to see all the sale items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html.
Want to be a Scrap Your Trip VIP for the rest of the year? We’re giving away 3 VIP passes – good for 30% off all your orders for the rest of the year! All orders over $100 placed from 9/16 – 9/18 will be entered to win!
Congrats to Lori Jones of Maryland! You are the winner of last week’s goody bag of brand-new CHA releases!
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
September 16th, 2009
One of my favorite country songs is “You Find Out Who Your Friends Are” by Tracy Lawrence. It has been running through my head almost continuously since Wednesday.
I am moved beyond words at the support of my friends, both the ones I know personally, the ones I know virtually and the ones I have yet to meet. Within minutes of my e-mail going out on Wednesday morning, my phone started ringing and e-mails, blog comments, texts, Facebook messages, Twitter messages, etc. started pouring in.
Your words of empathy, support and courage have strengthened me. I feel as if I am the luckiest woman in the whole entire world to have so many people behind me to lean on. Thank you.
I received this poem from Lori O. I wanted to share it with you.
"After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
and company isn’t security.
(Kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises).
After awhile you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build your roads on today
because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain
and the inevitable has a way of crumbling in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you stand too long in one place.
So, you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone else to bring you flowers.
And you learn you really can endure,
that you really do have worth.
You learn that with every good-bye comes the dawn."
I just love the “even sunshine burns if you stand too long in one place” part.
I also just want to take a minute in remembrance of 9/11 today. Not just for the people who lost their lives or loves ones, but for the heroes who selflessly risked their lives just doing their jobs. One of my employees was a New York firefighter and was a first responder. It may have been eight years ago, but he still lives with 9/11 every day. We will never forget.
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Last day to enter to win a goody bag with brand-new CHA releases! All orders over $59 placed before midnight tonight will be entered to win.
As always, thanks for your business!
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/JulieSwatek
www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
www.twitter.com/JulieSwatek
September 11th, 2009
I love sunflowers. They are happy and cheery and they have symbolic meaning for me. You see, no matter where a sunflower is planted, it will turn and grow to face the sun.
I was in Target last week and saw a wreath of sunflowers. It kind of spoke to me so I bought it…brought it home…and hung it on the front door of my new condo. The condo the kids and I moved into last week.
At the end of July was my 13 year wedding anniversary. We’ve been together for 18 years total and have been in and out of counseling for 15 of those years.
I’ve been writing a lot lately about the serious examination my life has been under. After the death of my friend’s husband I wrote:
"So if life can change in an instant…one minute it’s one way and the next minute another, how do you make sure life is what you want it to be?
I don’t mean that "Live Like You Were Dying" stuff, like the Tim McGraw song. Jumping out of planes and climbing mountains and riding bulls. Living each day as if it were your last is living out of a place of fear, as far as I’m concerned. A place of scarcity. Like life only has so much good stuff to offer and you better use it up while you still have the chance.
No, I’m talking more about living life with no regrets. A life that is as good as you can make it. A life that at the end of the day …or the end of the week…or on your birthday, you can say to yourself, "Life is good. Life is authentic. I am happy. I am fulfilled. I wouldn’t change a thing.
That’s the kind of life I want to live. It’s still a work-in-progress. But if I ever find myself in a situation where life is one way one minute and another in the next minute, I want to feel like I was on the right path, since I only get to do this once.
Wow! I know this is pretty intense. But between this and one of my other friends recently being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my life is under pretty serious examination right now.
All that self examination led me to the following conclusion: If I could die in a car accident tomorrow, this can’t be as good as it gets. This can’t be my life…or his life…or the life I want to model for my children.
So, I am getting divorced. It is not a decision I made lightly or without hours and hours and hours of soul searching.
I have been on an absolute roller coaster of emotions since then. Scared…am I doing the right thing? Sad…the life I’ve had for 18 years is over. Devastated…how I feel when my children want to know why Mommy and Daddy aren’t going to be married anymore. Grieving…the loss of the future I thought I had…and the life my kids will have without me moving forward. Determined…I want my kids, especially my daughter, to see that Mom is strong. And happy. And a happy Mom is ultimately the best role model for them. Excited…a new chapter in my life…one I get to live on my own terms
The kids are doing pretty well, all things considered. Moving to the condo has been like a big adventure and they think it’s really cool that it has an elevator.
But, it’s still hard for them to only have Mom or Dad, not Mom AND Dad, but we are trying to do our best to parent them and love them through it.
If you’ve ever been in a similar situation or if you have some encouraging words for me, please leave me your thoughts on the blog. However, if you disagree or think I made the wrong choice and want to share those thoughts with me, please respect my decision and don’t.
So, after a week and a half of living in my condo, there have been moments that are really hard, but also moments when I absolutely know I’m doing the right thing.
See, I’m like a sunflower. No matter where I am planted or what happens to me, I will always grow to face the sun.
On to scrapbooking supplies!
New BasicGrey is here! Time for Fall and Halloween already! We have 241 new items this week, including the Eerie and Indian Summer collections from BasicGrey (including have Card Kits (like you asked for on Facebook) and collection packs, along with the individual items and tons of layout ideas. We also have 2010 Calendar Kit, Bling It On (rub-ons), Bling It (Self-Adhesive Rhinestones) and Limited Edition Alpha Series Stamps. Of course, we put matching Bazzill cardstock packs together for these collections too!
We also have two new collections from The Paper Company. These were two of my favorites from the CHA show – I absolutely adore the Blips and Bleeps collection for little boys and the Time to Travel collection is great for all kinds of travel layouts.
The SYT designers were also working on the following themes this week: Beach, Fairies, Ramadan, Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, General Travel, Mexico, Niagara Falls, Canada, Brads, Firefighting, 9/11/, New York, General Sports, Dance, Food, Beer and Seattle.
We have two custom papers – Painted Grunge 3 Lines and School Mini Words and Mascot Name and two custom die cuts – Passport Laser Die Cut and a School Bus Photo Frame Laser Die Cut.
We’re giving away more goodies! All orders over $59 placed between now and Friday will be entered into a drawing for a goody basket of brand new CHA releases!
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
As always, thanks for your business.
September 9th, 2009
When I tell people the story of how I started my business, I usually get one of two responses. First is "I’ve always wanted to have my own business! Can you give me some advice?" The second is "I’ve always wanted to have my own business! But I could never do that. I’m too (insert adjective here – old…young…broke…busy…scared…)
For all of you e-mailing me asking for my advice, keep reading. And for those of you too "whatever", let me tell you this: you can absolutely do this! I’m not that special. I haven’t done anything you are not completely capable of. I wasn’t born with extra special business talents (well, I am a fourth generation entrepreneur, so maybe I’m a little less afraid of risk than you are!)
But, if you believe in yourself…if you "feel the fear and do it anyway"…if you just start and take one baby step after another…YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF!!!!!
I believer that there is no better time to start a business than now. You know why? If there’s one thing I’ve been really aware of during this mess of an economy we’ve been in, it’s that no job is safe. But guess what? I will never be dependent on another person for a job ever again. My destiny is in my own hands and that’s a very empowering place to be.
So, you want to know what the difference is between me and someone who’s "always wanted to have their own business"? Nothing, except that I took action. I did one thing and then another and then another.
Okay, well, there’s one more thing. I was so incredibly fortunate to have wonderful mentors.
On Wednesday, I told you about my mentor Dwain DeVille, author of
The Biker’s Guide to Business: When Business and Life Meet at the Crossroads.
He has been instrumental in helping grow me and the business. Someone told me a few years ago that the business could only grow as much as I could grow personally. Dwain has been a huge part of that growth. (Don’t forget to send in the receipt of the purchase of his book to be entered in a drawing for a $25 SYT Gift Certificate.)
But what I learned about now to really get started in business? That I learned from Brad Fallon and StomperNet.
See lots of people think internet businesses are like Kevin Costner’s baseball field in "Field of Dreams". "Build it and they will come." Nothing could be farther from the truth.
It’s all about Google and searching and keywords and how to be where people are looking when they are looking for what you have to offer. How many of you get to page 3 of a Google search? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Okay, so why I am sharing all of this with you? Because next week on 09/09/09, StomperNet is going to start accepting new members. They haven’t done that since May of 2008 (I’ve been a member since 2004.)
If you have ever thought about starting your own internet business, they are the best to learn from. Over 100 of the StomperNet members started from scratch and now have businesses that have broken the $1 million dollar mark. Only 3% of the businesses in the whole country can say that.
And I can tell you this…If it wasn’t for StomperNet, you wouldn’t be reading this email, because you probably would have never heard of Scrap Your Trip! We’d be buried on page 999 of Google!
If you are interested, click here to sign up for their email:
https://stompernet.infusionsoft.com/go/SN999/swatekj/
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, "I’ve always wanted to start my own business!", look into StomperNet. Hopefully, you’ll be sharing your successes and anniversaries with me soon!
Speaking of anniversaries, we’ve decided to extend our Anniversary Sale through Labor Day. Just enter coupon code ANNIV7 at checkout for 20% off your order (excluding clearance items). Coupon is valid until 11:59 pm Eastern, Monday, 09/07/09. (One coupon code per order. Cannot be used on previous orders.)
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
My mentor, Dwain DeVille
Me and my mentor, Brad Fallon, at a StomperNet event
September 4th, 2009
Today’s email is going to be a little different. I’m going to talk about business today. Not business in a “dollars and cents” kind of way, but “I am where I am because of this person” kind of way.
Figuring out how to start and grow a business is hard. There is no real road map, and even if there was, it’s different for every business. So, you kind of have to fly by the seat of your pants and hope you make the right choices.
This week is the 7-year anniversary of Scrap Your Trip. Seven years! And no 7-year itch in sight!
Seven years ago, I was 5 ½ months pregnant with my son Logan when I found out I was losing my corporate job of six years in a merger. Jobs for pregnant women were not exactly growing on trees, so I decided Plan B (have a part-time scrapbooking business) would turn into Plan A (have a full-time scrapbooking business). I started Scrap Your Trip with 522 products out of half of a spare bedroom in my house.
Fast forward to today. We are one of the top 5 scrapbook retailers in the world. We carry over 18,000 products. We manufacture our own exclusive line of die cuts and papers. We have a 7,000+ square foot warehouse and employ 27 people.
And I recently found out the most exciting thing! Scrap Your Trip was named to the Inc. 5000 list! The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. We came in at #1727 overall and #71 in retail. Not too bad for a company started by a pregnant woman out of a spare bedroom in her house!
There is an awards ceremony in DC in September, but it’s ridiculously expensive, so I’m not going to go. However, I would still like to give my acceptance speech. (smile)
First, thank you to Tony Swatek. He supported our family while I was building the business and not making much money. That allowed me to focus and I am grateful to him.
Secondly, thank you to Brad Fallon, Andy Jenkins and StomperNet. They taught me everything I know about how to do business online. I had a great business, but without them and what they taught me, you would have never found us. If it wasn’t for them, I’d still be working out of my house!
I have been very fortunate to have really great employees help me every step of the way. I never could have done it without them, especially Lani. She helps it never feel like work.
Next, thank you to the Athena PowerLink Program. It is a year-long advisory panel for women-owned businesses that I was lucky enough to be awarded at the end of 2006. The advice and friendship that I received from these people was second to none.
There was one person in particular from the Athena PowerLink Program who has made a huge impact on my business and my life, Dwain DeVille.
Dwain’s advice during my year was invaluable. He helped me develop my goals and then figure out a roadmap of how to accomplish them. He always played devil’s advocate. No matter what I said, he would take the opposite position and make me articulate mine. It was infuriating at times, but it always turned out to be helpful.
Dwain’s “official” commitment to me ended in 2007, but he has continued on as my mentor, unselfishly giving me his time and the benefit of all his years of experience.
He has done so much for me…now I want to do something for him.
He is a Harley biker and he just published his first book, “The Biker’s Guide to Business”. It hit bookstores Monday. I’m sure it’s going to be a best-seller, but I want to do what I can to help. Here’s the Amazon link to his book:
I am going to donate my Amazon commissions for the book to Habitat for Humanity. I am also going to have a drawing for anyone who buys the book. Just forward your receipt to CustomerCare@ScrapYourTrip.com and 3 people will win a $25 Scrap Your Trip Gift Certificate.
All these people have played a huge part in helping me get to where I am, but the most amount of appreciation and gratitude goes out to you, my customers. Thank you for supporting my business…and for telling your friends, family and even strangers in the scrapbooking aisle of the craft store about Scrap Your Trip.
Our memories and our commitment to preserve them are very important to us. Thank you for allowing us to help you “Scrap Your Trip” through life!
To show my appreciation and gratitude, I am offering a 20% coupon on your entire order (excluding clearance items) through Friday, September 4th. Just type coupon code ANNIV7 at checkout. (One coupon code per order. Cannot be used on previous orders.)
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make it custom just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
September 2nd, 2009
