Studio Is Moving To Houston

I’m off to lasso new business ops in the Lone Star state, following next week you’ll find Little Lady Studio’s new home in Houston.

Back in April, new opportunities presented themselves for my family and I. So after a trip south, exploration and decision-making, we figured the timing couldn’t be better. The next chapter reads…

Larger Studio + Continued Plan = AWESOME NEW WORK

I can hardly wait to reveal what’s to come! Although our street address is changing, you can still find our world-wide home at www.littleladystudio.com

 

On Tour: National Stationery Show Steps & Success

It was a whirlwind of a week, productive and charged, and I couldn’t have pulled off the successful show without the help of my assistant Bryn, thank you!

Now I will assess. The power of creativity is that it multiplies when surrounded by other creativity, this alone is a worthwhile reason to make the investment into industry trade shows. But as we all know, inspiration and networking doesn’t cover overhead, at first anyways. Yes, I’m emphasizing the value of patience, persistence and relationship-building and industry shows are key to all three.

I won’t sugar-coat the large investment (a few thousand dollars) by sharing illusions of over-night success.  Instead I will outline my steps taken for a successful show and how I maximize the opportunity for return.

Step 1: Set My Goals before the Show

A) Find a prospective Rep
B) Scout/Full-Fill 10 orders
C) Explore Distribution
D) Learn more about Industry

Step 2: Steps Taken at Show to help Meet Goals

A) Utilized free exposure opportunities at show, including submission for Best New Product and Advertising
B) Maximized networking opportunities by attending events, listening and making introductions
C) Submitted Press Releases
D) Submitted inquiry for Rep Leads

Step 3: Assess Show during the Show and Identify Reliable and Valid Follow-Through

A) Keep my company mission as priority
B) Maintain brand integrity
C) Do business with “Like-Minds” and target demographic

As always, I share my experience in hopes that it lend perspective to my readers and your Creative & Bold pursuits!

Continue being BOLD – Jessey

Nominated As Finalist For Best New Product Display at National Stationery Show

Little Lady Studio’s Peace Card Set has been selected for presentation in the Best New Product Display at the Annual National Stationery Show at Javits Center in New York City from May 15-18, 2011.

Now in its 65th year, the National Stationery Show is the world’s most comprehensive collection of stationery and related lifestyle products, and stands alone as the only business event and tradeshow in the United States that focuses specifically on these profitable, powerful product categories. With over 900 exhibiting companies featuring more than 10,000 lines, the NSS brings all sides of the diverse business community together: manufacturers (the exhibitors), buyers, sales reps, designers, licensors, distributors, trade/consumer press and manufacturing suppliers (the exhibitors in The Supply Side division).

“For my first year exhibiting at this industry show, I’m thrilled to have my product featured in this esteemed display. I continually strive towards a product that is green, stays true to our social commitment and offers my customer a unique perspective. To be recognized by industry professionals is quite an honor. We offer something very unique at Little Lady Studio – Social Stationery that provides each and every one of us the opportunity to learn, to give and to inspire – now that is something to write home about!”– Jessey Jansen

Find Little Lady Studio at Booth 1157, from May 15-18^th, 2011 at Javits Convention Center, 11^th Avenue New York, NY. To learn more about Little Lady Studio, please visit us at www.littleladystudio.com.

Little Lady Studio Takes Home Bronze Win With Neenah Paper’s National Competition

Little Lady Studio is once again making a BOLD statement in the paper world. Our BE BOLD Gift Set has received the Bronze PAPERWORKS Winning Entry from Neenah Paper Inc, a world-class manufacture of papers.

“I continually strive towards a product that is both green and stays true to our social commitment. With each small step, I reach towards a future that has less impact on the environment but much impact on community. I’m thrilled that Neenah Paper recognizes our BOLD statement! “ – Jessey Jansen, Owner

Neenah Paper’s Environment Papers are made Carbon Neutral Plus, made with 100% renewable green energy, is Green Seal™ Certified and is archival. “Our use of Neenah Paper’s Environment Papers helps in preserving the delicate balance of our ecology by offering Social Stationery that minimizes waste and protects our environment.”

Neenah Paper looked at criteria including the following when selecting this quarter’s winner:

• Use of Environment Papers
• Excellence in design
• Creativity

On Tour: Little Lady Studio partners with CARE at National Conference 2011

1400 additional miles logged and another successful and action packed week partnering with CARE at the National Conference in Washington DC. This year’s conference was exceptionally organized at a new location, the Washington Hilton. The International Marketplace buzzed with excitement, passion and determination throughout the conference. Anticipating the conference with bated breath, I launched my new pin keepsake, mini-workbooks, new ethnic  illustrations and our Be Bold Gift Set featuring CARE’s I AM Powerful winners. The special edition gift set includes the bold and powerful story of Goretti Nyabenda, whom I was able to meet at last year’s conference, a unique inspirational experience for me personally.Visit our website if you would like to add this collector’s edition stationery set to your personal stash.

Little Lady Studio was housed next to Original Women, a unique company that celebrates the artistry of women of the world, Tickets-for-Charity, where great events and great causes come together and a few other admirable partners. The market was a great success and again I was able to meet some outstanding individuals, learn and receive affirmation that local initiatives help to support critical global agendas.

The Little Ladies of the World keep multiplying and there is no plan to slow down!

Highlights:

Performances by: Indie.Arie, Michael Franti, PowerBox, Sarah Darhling

Keynote by Melinda Gates

Special Thanks :

Loyal and New Customers

I can’t thank you enough! I received wonderful feedback from all my customers and appreciate all who entered the drawing for the Be Bold Gift Set, announced soon!

CARE Staff

Special thanks: Kathy Lane, Shira Lawrence, Angelina Martinez

Thank you for all that you do!

Niosha Vigue

Special thanks to my daughter for her assistance through-out the event.

Jacqueline Jansen

Special thanks to my sister for being a supportive travel companion and creative partner.

Tracy Allardice

Special thanks to Tracy for making introductions and for your constructive feedback.

Gwendy Feldman

Co-Founder of Original Women. Thank you to Gwendy for being who she is and for owning such a beautiful company.

George Lucas

International Marketplace Set Coordinator. Special thanks to George for assisting at set-up.

Please see here for more highlights from CARE on the 2011 conference.

Tips for Aspiring and Seasoned Creative Entrepreneurs

I believe as creative/artistic entrepreneurs we are in a unique position to reach people on a human level with our products. We tap into emotional responses, create sensory experiences, provide user experiences and communicate messages – feeding a business-to-consumer relationship. But, just as importantly, we as small business owners need to understand that a majority of what we do is work from a business-to-business model. Whether goals include working with galleries, academic institutions, festival producers or merchandisers – all paths of business growth include professional partnerships. We need strategies that identify our target markets and build brand awareness but also leverage parallel opportunities for product visibility, merchandising, and brand development.

A few tips for both the aspiring and seasoned creative entrepreneurs:

• Spend time developing your mission – your mission will serve as the framework for all initiatives
• Develop a philosophy for self-guidance: Organize. Prioritize. Take action. – A constant reminder that business is a process and requires time
• Document both short and long-term goals
• Find a supportive team to reinforce your goals
• Spend time to assess and identify your strengths and weaknesses, as both will allow for growth.
• Make/keep a schedule for task completion
• Stay prepared, you don’t always know what will happen next
• Don’t make assumptions, ask questions
• Be firm, but polite
• Spend time listening to your existing or prospective customers, partners and employees
• Find activities to stay professionally engaged and to keep your mind limber

Imagination: My Process

My WRITE DESIGN COMBINE process is key to starting new works. I first start with note taking, word lists, story creation, then move on to designing, using graphics, media, typography and color to communicate the story. Finally, I combine all the elements with collage techniques to create the composition and achieve the visual goal.

I choose to use wax as one of my media to symbolize timelessness. The wax is a malleable texture that represents changing circumstances and offers a rich medium that can be carved, painted or shaped. I work acrylic and oil crayons into the wax painted surfaces, using fleeting imagery and color to communicate expressions of whispering moments.

 

 

On Tour & In Motion: Recap from Flourish Speaking Event

Dear Socidividuals,

Last night I was pleased to be invited as a presenter for the Flourish Artisan Program Speaker Series hosted by Flourish Studios, in conjunction with the Institute For Arts Entrepreneurship”

My presentation, Non-Profit Minded Artist Builds Success in a For
Profit Business, focused on how to leverage social mindedness and non-profit relationships to create a successful for-profit business. I was able to share the steps that I have taken over the past seven years to build my business, stay true to my mission and to allow flexibility for change as my company evolved.

Take-away from the presentation and discussion:
I believe as creative/artistic entrepreneurs we are in a unique position to reach people on a human level with our products. We tap into emotional responses, create sensory experiences, provide user experiences and communicate messages – feeding a business-to-consumer relationship. But, just as importantly, we as small business owners need to understand that a majority of what we do is work from a business-to-business model. Whether goals include working with galleries, academic institutions, festival producers or merchandisers – all paths of business growth include professional partnerships. We need strategies that identify our target markets and build brand awareness but also leverage parallel opportunities for product visibility, merchandising, and brand development.

A few tips for both the aspiring and seasoned creative entrepreneurs:

• Spend time developing your mission – your mission will serve as the framework for all initiatives
• Develop a philosophy for self-guidance: Organize. Prioritize. Take action. – A constant reminder that business is a process and requires time
• Document both short and long-term goals
• Find a supportive team to reinforce your goals
• Spend time to assess and identify your strengths and weaknesses, as both will allow for growth.
• Make/keep a schedule for task completion
• Stay prepared, you don’t always know what will happen next
• Don’t make assumptions, ask questions
• Be firm, but polite
• Spend time listening to your existing or prospective customers, partners and employees
• Find activities to stay professionally engaged and to keep your mind limber

Little Lady Studio partners with CARE at National Conference 2010

This year I was thrilled to be part of the 2010 CARE National Conference not only as an attendee but as a small business partner.

Following last year’s conference, I proposed my partnership idea to CARE which includes using my WRITTEN gift and greeting card collection to help empower Little Ladies of the World – One Greeting at a Time. The partnership includes -10% of all proceeds is donated to CARE and each card features a personal story from Little Ladies around the World that are creating paths for positive change in result of CARE’s critical and important work.

The WRITTEN collection was first launched in 2003, originally the Little Lady collection, while I was working full time for a marketing company in the Milwaukee WI area. The women of the office immediately connected with my new brand’s message of empowerment and persistence and placed orders and requests for more. I was then eagerly thrilled and have spent every day since navigating to get closer to my vision to help other little ladies of the world improve their lives.

At the conference’s International Marketplace, Little Lady Studio was housed next to Original Women, a unique company that celebrates the artistry of women of the world. The market was a great success and again I was able to meet some outstanding individuals, learn and receive affirmation that local initiatives help to support critical global agendas. I look forward to further building this partnership!

Highlights:

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Keynote address

I Am Powerful Award winner Goretti Nyabenda

Special Thanks :

Wonderful New Customers

I can’t thank you enough! I received wonderful feedback from all my new customers and appreciate all who entered the drawing for the Writer’s Collection, which will be announced after the first week of June!

CARE Staff

Special thanks: Kathy Lane, Amanda Bolster, Cherae Robinson

Thank you for inviting Little Lady Studio to be part of the market and for all your support and help.

Gwendy Feldman

Co-Founder of Original Women. Gwendy and I met at the conference as we were both part of the International Market. Thank you to Gwendy for being who she is and for owning such a beautiful company.

Jeanne Faulkner

Jeanne and I met at the 2009 conference, making a great connect we’ve been able to create a valued friendship and professional exchange. Jeanne is a freelance writer and a lnurse, including a weekly column for FitPregnancy.com and MyRegence.com. Please see here for her latest blog from the conference with mention of WRITTEN.

Peggy Homuth

Peggy and I met at the 2009 conference, making a great connect we’ve been able to create a valued friendship and professional exchange. Peggy’s inspiration resulted in her co-writing and recording a song in honor of CARE. The song was featured at the Women Making a Difference breakfast for MORE & Ladies Home Journal readers.

Caitlen Daniels

Caitlen is a dear friend and advocate for CARE. I want to send a special thanks to Caitlen for helping me at the market and for her continued support.

Please see here for National CARE conference 2009 article

Please see here for more details on the conference.