You know what Mr. Blog? You remind me of Bob Newhart when he was on that TV show and had all the crazy patients. Only your hair is darker and your frame slighter. I loved that show.
So you'll never guess what my mailman Anthony brought me yesterday.
Two checks! They were for games. The first one was from Terry's Uncle Doug.
He is so nice and let us stay at his house when Terry's cousin Sarah got married last summer.
I called him on the phone last week to find out about business insurance since he owns a Farmer's Insurance franchise and takes really good care of our insurance needs. I asked him to buy one for his waiting room and he did.
The other check was from Troy's orthodontist! You know what I like???
I like being able to just hand people games with a self-addressed stamp envelope.
I like to trust people.
It makes me feel good.
It made me feel good when I was a scout leader and people trusted me
with their kids for ten years.
Their most prized, beloved possession. Their children.
I like positive virtues:
Trust
Loyalty
Compassion
Forgiveness. This one is really hard for me!
Patience
Webster's Dictionary: Moral Excellence
My game is virtuous because it teaches and helps people.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
8/27/09 DECA and Orthodontists
Oh Mr. Blog, I have had such a winning streak this week we should go to Las Vegas!
It all started on Tuesday when I took Troy to the orthodontist. While he was strapped in the chair and the assistant was finishing his wiring, I whipped out my game and the orthodontist went nuts over it and bought it right out of my hands. He said it was perfect for his teen clients in the waiting room! I dashed home and Googled orthodontist conventions and e-mailed the organizer for the first one I found to see if I could set up a table. He said no but I'm NOT DONE with those orthodontists yet. I won't rest until I go to an orthodontic convention!
So Steve and Connie convinced me to do the improved and revised Washington State game before going on to the USA version. I hate the delay for the USA version but it will take quite a bit of time to get driving manuals from all fifty states anyway. Spring is good enough.
So then at my beauty parlor, Salon Zeka, my hairdresser/friend/adviser, Janet, was looking at my game and a dad I know gave me cash for a game but I had run out of games to sell again.
I'll deliver it as soon as Connie gets some more whipped up for me. She is so good at it!
I LOVE TO SELL. There is just something exciting about designing and making a product that you know will help people and then having it to sell to them.
So it gets better...Terry and I went to Inglemoor high school parent night and when it was over I was looking for the place to buy a student directory and we went in the student store.
I remembered the marketing teacher from when I subbed there and told him my son's best friend will be in his class and I had a game I wanted him to market for me.
I pulled out my demo of Pass The Test and he LOVED it! He told me to send it with Troy's friend when school starts next week. He was so excited that he gave me his business card and told me to contact his friends that are the directors of the Washington State DECA!
He also asked me to sub for him but I don't know anything about marketing!
So I came home and did just what he suggested. I sent a group e-mail to the DECA leaders.
I just love to work work work work work. There is nothing better in the entire world than owning a business that provides products that will help people. I am VERY HAPPY!
It all started on Tuesday when I took Troy to the orthodontist. While he was strapped in the chair and the assistant was finishing his wiring, I whipped out my game and the orthodontist went nuts over it and bought it right out of my hands. He said it was perfect for his teen clients in the waiting room! I dashed home and Googled orthodontist conventions and e-mailed the organizer for the first one I found to see if I could set up a table. He said no but I'm NOT DONE with those orthodontists yet. I won't rest until I go to an orthodontic convention!
So Steve and Connie convinced me to do the improved and revised Washington State game before going on to the USA version. I hate the delay for the USA version but it will take quite a bit of time to get driving manuals from all fifty states anyway. Spring is good enough.
So then at my beauty parlor, Salon Zeka, my hairdresser/friend/adviser, Janet, was looking at my game and a dad I know gave me cash for a game but I had run out of games to sell again.
I'll deliver it as soon as Connie gets some more whipped up for me. She is so good at it!
I LOVE TO SELL. There is just something exciting about designing and making a product that you know will help people and then having it to sell to them.
So it gets better...Terry and I went to Inglemoor high school parent night and when it was over I was looking for the place to buy a student directory and we went in the student store.
I remembered the marketing teacher from when I subbed there and told him my son's best friend will be in his class and I had a game I wanted him to market for me.
I pulled out my demo of Pass The Test and he LOVED it! He told me to send it with Troy's friend when school starts next week. He was so excited that he gave me his business card and told me to contact his friends that are the directors of the Washington State DECA!
He also asked me to sub for him but I don't know anything about marketing!
So I came home and did just what he suggested. I sent a group e-mail to the DECA leaders.
I just love to work work work work work. There is nothing better in the entire world than owning a business that provides products that will help people. I am VERY HAPPY!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
8/22/09 Ostroms'
OMG Mr. Blog. I went to Ostroms yesterday and there was my game hanging from it's adorable bag topper right there in the toy department.
Ostroms. The crown jewel of Kenmore. My game.
High enough quality to be accepted at the premier gift shop in Kenmore.
I felt totally legitimate. I was and still am so excited I can hardly stand it.
We went over to Terry's Aunt Sue's and saw his cousin Jeremy's new baby. Donald is so cute.
It was awesome to visit with Terry's Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I love them all so much.
Ostroms. The crown jewel of Kenmore. My game.
High enough quality to be accepted at the premier gift shop in Kenmore.
I felt totally legitimate. I was and still am so excited I can hardly stand it.
We went over to Terry's Aunt Sue's and saw his cousin Jeremy's new baby. Donald is so cute.
It was awesome to visit with Terry's Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I love them all so much.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
8/20/09 The Gambler
I'm a little upset tonight Mr. Blog.
My business adviser called me a few days ago and told me the days of families playing board games together for fun are over and I need to make my games only virtual.
Are family game nights dead? Are TV and computers all there is for socialization now?
I am gambling ALL my time and energy on nixpix Mr. Blog. What if I fail? What if enough people won't plunk down $19.99 for this first Washington State game? I'm trying not to worry but we ran out of money again this week for the national print run.
To top it off, after Terry paid the bills he nagged me about not having a job for an hour.
I studied three months last winter for that nasty PRAXIS exam and then I passed it.
I am, "Highly Qualified" now to teach in Washington State but I got too old.
Last year at my tech class, I saw the new teacher's orientation and the oldest was 30! I'm 52.
No one can pop my bubble faster than Terry.
We all have perfect health but does he even know how rare that is? Especially in our fifties!
I try to stay positive and I know the chances for success are slim, but I really want to create games that help people. I feel like that is what God wants me to do.
My business adviser called me a few days ago and told me the days of families playing board games together for fun are over and I need to make my games only virtual.
Are family game nights dead? Are TV and computers all there is for socialization now?
I am gambling ALL my time and energy on nixpix Mr. Blog. What if I fail? What if enough people won't plunk down $19.99 for this first Washington State game? I'm trying not to worry but we ran out of money again this week for the national print run.
To top it off, after Terry paid the bills he nagged me about not having a job for an hour.
I studied three months last winter for that nasty PRAXIS exam and then I passed it.
I am, "Highly Qualified" now to teach in Washington State but I got too old.
Last year at my tech class, I saw the new teacher's orientation and the oldest was 30! I'm 52.
No one can pop my bubble faster than Terry.
We all have perfect health but does he even know how rare that is? Especially in our fifties!
I try to stay positive and I know the chances for success are slim, but I really want to create games that help people. I feel like that is what God wants me to do.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
8/16/09 Mission Statement
I've been doing some deep thinking Mr. Blog, about the business.
The mission of Nixpix Educational Products is to provide educational products that are fun!
Beyond that, our goal is to make enough cash to hire cleaning ladies!
Beyond that, we don't want to cook either! Give us a restaurant meal any day!
Beyond that, I want a boat that runs! *has cabin cruiser that never cruised once in driveway*
Beyond that, I want enough cash to buy my sister a house down the street so she can NEVER freak out on me and my friends again when we want a small campfire in our back yard.
Beyond that, I want a heater for my corny Doughboy pool and a hot tub.
I'd settle for a roll of new duct tape to cover the peeling linoleum in my dining room.
I really want to end world poverty and overpopulation and pollution. If I had the cash for a mansion I wouldn't buy it. I'd hire a doctor to give poor people free birth control.
So I'm sitting in church this morning and I was enjoying the blue grass music and feeling really happy when the idea came to me. I nearly jumped up and shouted, "I've got it!"
Three years ago when I started Nixpix I knew I wanted to be the Nordstrom of the internet.
So I'd been thinking about my hero, Bob Parson's latest vlog that your business needs an edge.
My original idea was to provide free giftwrap for gifts sent by us but it is so time consuming to wrap gifts. Then it came to me! FREE GIFT BAGS for games being shipped. They would be cute, lightweight and we could send them for people very easily.
My other idea is to start a Nixpix jingle contest on You Tube.
So, I having a nap attack and if you'd hand me a blanket, I'll just take it here in your office.
The mission of Nixpix Educational Products is to provide educational products that are fun!
Beyond that, our goal is to make enough cash to hire cleaning ladies!
Beyond that, we don't want to cook either! Give us a restaurant meal any day!
Beyond that, I want a boat that runs! *has cabin cruiser that never cruised once in driveway*
Beyond that, I want enough cash to buy my sister a house down the street so she can NEVER freak out on me and my friends again when we want a small campfire in our back yard.
Beyond that, I want a heater for my corny Doughboy pool and a hot tub.
I'd settle for a roll of new duct tape to cover the peeling linoleum in my dining room.
I really want to end world poverty and overpopulation and pollution. If I had the cash for a mansion I wouldn't buy it. I'd hire a doctor to give poor people free birth control.
So I'm sitting in church this morning and I was enjoying the blue grass music and feeling really happy when the idea came to me. I nearly jumped up and shouted, "I've got it!"
Three years ago when I started Nixpix I knew I wanted to be the Nordstrom of the internet.
So I'd been thinking about my hero, Bob Parson's latest vlog that your business needs an edge.
My original idea was to provide free giftwrap for gifts sent by us but it is so time consuming to wrap gifts. Then it came to me! FREE GIFT BAGS for games being shipped. They would be cute, lightweight and we could send them for people very easily.
My other idea is to start a Nixpix jingle contest on You Tube.
So, I having a nap attack and if you'd hand me a blanket, I'll just take it here in your office.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
8/15/09 Friendship First
So the 13th, Thursday was awful Mr. Blog. I went to bed thinking, "What is important in this Nixpix business? I was pretty hysterical about my wholesale retail lesson."
I woke up and called Connie and said, "You are more important to me as a friend and business partner than any sale anywhere. I'm going down to Ostroms to pick up those games."
She said, "I can't believe you said that. Gretchen, Let's leave those there because I think you really want to." It was one of those inspirational moments that really touched my heart.
Geez Mr. Blog. Do I have the best business partner in the world or what?! So then I was inspired to call Binder Bob of Trendex in Minnesota. I wanted to know if his manufacturing plant could do a traditionally-sized game board half the regular thickness and weight.
Steve found this company and had been working on an 18x18" game board on his own time. He had told me he had a gut feeling about going to a traditional game board for awhile now on this United States of America version of the game.
Bob is amazing and has forty-five years in the print business. We talked a half hour and I said I'd send him a sample.
Steve whipped up a non-disclosure contract and sent it to him and I went to the store and got stamps and mailed him his sample game from my favorite store on the planet. Kenmore Safeway.
So then my grade school pal Molly McClean shows up and we had a total blabathon. I've know her since Bryant elementary in 1966. Turns out she was an accountant for Golden Grains before getting debilitated by MS. She knew all kinds of business stuff I had never even heard of. So she thought my bonfire was last night but it is tonight and it worked out great to spend time together! She slept over and then took off to visit relatives.
Connie got here at noon to pick up game parts to assemble at home and I had lost the laminated panels! We tore the house apart for an hour. Then I saw them on the end table next to the couch. They were in a small box with a World Book on them to keep them flat and on top of that I had placed my two foot diameter round spinner holder from the rummage sale.
I thought they had gone out in the trash or something. $326.88 worth of laminated game tops!
So two hours later I am exhausted from thinking they were gone and taking a nap until time to get ready for my bonfire.
Oh-I got an e-mail from the Director of the Washington State Transportation Department that
they got their free sample of the game and loved it and they are forwarding it to the safety division of their department. She said she would have bought it for her daughter two years ago if it had been available and called it a "great idea."
I woke up and called Connie and said, "You are more important to me as a friend and business partner than any sale anywhere. I'm going down to Ostroms to pick up those games."
She said, "I can't believe you said that. Gretchen, Let's leave those there because I think you really want to." It was one of those inspirational moments that really touched my heart.
Geez Mr. Blog. Do I have the best business partner in the world or what?! So then I was inspired to call Binder Bob of Trendex in Minnesota. I wanted to know if his manufacturing plant could do a traditionally-sized game board half the regular thickness and weight.
Steve found this company and had been working on an 18x18" game board on his own time. He had told me he had a gut feeling about going to a traditional game board for awhile now on this United States of America version of the game.
Bob is amazing and has forty-five years in the print business. We talked a half hour and I said I'd send him a sample.
Steve whipped up a non-disclosure contract and sent it to him and I went to the store and got stamps and mailed him his sample game from my favorite store on the planet. Kenmore Safeway.
So then my grade school pal Molly McClean shows up and we had a total blabathon. I've know her since Bryant elementary in 1966. Turns out she was an accountant for Golden Grains before getting debilitated by MS. She knew all kinds of business stuff I had never even heard of. So she thought my bonfire was last night but it is tonight and it worked out great to spend time together! She slept over and then took off to visit relatives.
Connie got here at noon to pick up game parts to assemble at home and I had lost the laminated panels! We tore the house apart for an hour. Then I saw them on the end table next to the couch. They were in a small box with a World Book on them to keep them flat and on top of that I had placed my two foot diameter round spinner holder from the rummage sale.
I thought they had gone out in the trash or something. $326.88 worth of laminated game tops!
So two hours later I am exhausted from thinking they were gone and taking a nap until time to get ready for my bonfire.
Oh-I got an e-mail from the Director of the Washington State Transportation Department that
they got their free sample of the game and loved it and they are forwarding it to the safety division of their department. She said she would have bought it for her daughter two years ago if it had been available and called it a "great idea."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
8/13/09 Mr. Blog E-Therapist Wholesale/Retail Lesson
It was a very very bad day Mr. Blog. First I was so excited and emotionally high at the thought of dropping off my first big order of six games that I was sure I'd vomit on my feet.
I got to the post office and mailed Carol McConnel's game first to Dallas. She ordered it over a month ago on our website with PayPal. Just having one order kept me going for the frustrating weeks that followed as prototype after prototype had folding problems. I will be indebted to her forever for showing me faith first, not just with cheap words, but with cash.
A first sale can make or break the attitude of a new businessperson and she made me believe that I could be a success when I wasn't yet convinced myself. I mailed her game first.
$3.26 postage.
Then Terry came with me to Ostroms and I bought a buffpuff pad and put my box of six games on the counter. I said, "Here are the games you ordered Phyllis and the invoice is right on the box."
She said, "Oh good, they are small." I leaned over and pulled out the display I had made and said, "Would you like the display I made?" She said, "Oh no, that's not necessary."
I leaned down to put it away and she said, "Is it free?"
I pulled it out and stood back up with a big smile and said, "Yes it is. I have a mount for it and a small road and sample cars for the kids to play with."
She was very happy to take it at that point.
Terry and I went outside and high-fived at the first wholesale sale at a retail store.
Not just any store! Ostroms is the crown-jewel gift shop in Kenmore with free gift-wrapping.
We were so excited as we drove home. I felt like I'd won the lottery!
Then the phone rang.
BZ called from Ostroms and said the wholesale was too high that they couldn't sell it for double $19.99 and if we wanted them to carry it we'd have to go down by half. She explained that the wholesale retail cornerstone is 50% mark-up. She was really nice about it and I thanked her.
Terry and I think we should keep a few there for advertising even if we only make a few dollars a game. The brilliant green laminated artwork is such an eye-grabber!
Connie called and she did not want to sell them there for that low a price. I ran out of cash months ago and we are using her small loan now so she is in the driver's seat on this.
It was just hard going from so high to so low in such a short amount of time.
I got to the post office and mailed Carol McConnel's game first to Dallas. She ordered it over a month ago on our website with PayPal. Just having one order kept me going for the frustrating weeks that followed as prototype after prototype had folding problems. I will be indebted to her forever for showing me faith first, not just with cheap words, but with cash.
A first sale can make or break the attitude of a new businessperson and she made me believe that I could be a success when I wasn't yet convinced myself. I mailed her game first.
$3.26 postage.
Then Terry came with me to Ostroms and I bought a buffpuff pad and put my box of six games on the counter. I said, "Here are the games you ordered Phyllis and the invoice is right on the box."
She said, "Oh good, they are small." I leaned over and pulled out the display I had made and said, "Would you like the display I made?" She said, "Oh no, that's not necessary."
I leaned down to put it away and she said, "Is it free?"
I pulled it out and stood back up with a big smile and said, "Yes it is. I have a mount for it and a small road and sample cars for the kids to play with."
She was very happy to take it at that point.
Terry and I went outside and high-fived at the first wholesale sale at a retail store.
Not just any store! Ostroms is the crown-jewel gift shop in Kenmore with free gift-wrapping.
We were so excited as we drove home. I felt like I'd won the lottery!
Then the phone rang.
BZ called from Ostroms and said the wholesale was too high that they couldn't sell it for double $19.99 and if we wanted them to carry it we'd have to go down by half. She explained that the wholesale retail cornerstone is 50% mark-up. She was really nice about it and I thanked her.
Terry and I think we should keep a few there for advertising even if we only make a few dollars a game. The brilliant green laminated artwork is such an eye-grabber!
Connie called and she did not want to sell them there for that low a price. I ran out of cash months ago and we are using her small loan now so she is in the driver's seat on this.
It was just hard going from so high to so low in such a short amount of time.
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