virtualmom

Vases don't fit in any specific Buying Category=Problem

This morning I am going to continue on my rant about big box retailers. 

 I love my vases but they have been a hard sell to large retailers, a fact that I underestimated when I started with them a few years ago.  I believed that because they are unique, low priced, store flat, and are simply just fun that I could get them into many, many stores!  How wrong I was! I have even talked with my competitors about this and they confirmed that they too have had trouble in this area.  

Why has there been reluctance to our vases?  One reason is that they don't fit into any particular merchandise category so buyers have not taken ownership of the product.  For instance when I approached Costco, the vase buyer told me that she only buys traditional vases and that our flat plastic vases wouldn't fit into her space within the stores.  She referred me to the floral buyer.  The floral buyer told me that he only buys perishable fresh flowers.  Where does that leave me and my vases?  IDK? Good question!  I mean does that simply mean that Costco just can not buy and sell my vases?  

Spirit Jump

Happy New Year!

I have been on a self appointed short hiatus, but am very much looking forward to this new year.  This post is going to be short but I wanted to write about a non-profit website that I was recently introduced to. 

The site is called Spirit Jump, a site which hooks up cancer patients with spirit jumpers(people who send uplifting postcards and/or optional small gifts) to raise the patient's spirit!  One of the founders had cancer herself and started this campaign.  She said that hearing from people all over the world really gave her a boost when she needed it most.

I love this concept and how the business model uses the web to the best of what the web can offer.  Uniting people to help each other.  

I have started sending a VASE on all requests--something to brighten their day!

And it feels good!

ETSY: This is what I made last night at Etsy Lab!

 

Wendy taught the Lab last night at Etsy.  She makes stuffed animals for a living-- what a fun way to go through life, huh?  A huge crowd came to make Teddy Bears from old shirts.  I came with old T-shirts of the kids.  YOu were supposed to bring men's button down shirts --T-shirts are stretchy and are not the best fabric to use.  In any case, I had a blast, it was a creative and social outing.  Next Lab will focus on making things from old T-shirts.  I might attend!

 

Etsy: Learn How to Make a Teddy Bear from Your Guy's Old Shirt

 

ETSY loved Wendy's handmade bears so much that they asked her to teach at their lab tomorrow!  Monday, December 14th from 4-8pm in DUMBO(55 Washington St). 

The bears that she is going to teach you to make are great gifts.  Low in cost and made straight from the heart!  Perfect for your little one cause what is better than a teddy bear made from daddy's shirt!  Your canine friend will most definitely like one too.

Wendy has been making/sewing since she was 5 or 6 years old.  She is very crafty--she can't help herself. 

PORN FOR WOMEN: Thank you PINE SOL

The book Porn for Women was a HUGE HIT.  It really captures what women desire!  The authors found out that there was a study done asking women of all ages 'what really, really makes you hot'?  The universal answer: beautiful PG photos of hunky men cooking, listening, asking for directions, accompanied by steamy captions: "I love a clean house!" or "As long as I have two legs to walk on, you'll never take out the trash." 

The SMART advertising agency behind Pine Sol picked up on this!!!  They realized that their consumers are WOMEN and appealed to our senses to sell their product!!!!  I LOVE IT!  KUDOS to Pine Sol.  

Advertisers:  BRING IT ON!!!

Mayor Bans BAKE SALES! Sugar Free Mix a Solution

 

I am not sure if the Mayor fully understands just how much money Bake Sales can raise for city school kids because if he did, he may not have banned having them!  I remember that when each of my kids where in the 5th grade at P.S. 41, their grades raised $5,000 for graduation costs!!!!  

Mayor:  How about Sugar Free Bake Sales???  Sounds like a win/win solution to me!  Can someone tell me how to get this Sugar Free Cookie Mix to the Mayor or Chancellor???

 

I Fell in Love...(with www.Quirky.com)!

This past Sunday the New York Times(G-d, what would I do without it?) highlighted a start-up called Quirky.com.  I love it.  I was hooked by the company name alone( At one point I inquired about purchasing this domain name).  But the company is so much more than just a great name. 

The article is quite good but really-check out their site.  The basic concept is that anyone can submit a product idea to be voted on, and if your product gets picked by the online audience as the most liked, Quirky makes it.  The larger audience gets to vote on which is the best potential product of the week as well as what the name and tagline should be. Since  Sunday they have announced 2 great new products their audience created that will go into production!  Way to go!

Being a product person-I ADORE this concept!  Truly appreciate it and believe there is much merit to their concept.  Meeting with Ben(the creator) next Monday!  

Serendipity 3: Frozen Hot Chocolate -on Oprah's Bucket List

Friday S. and I saw the end of the Oprah show and she was talking about her Bucket List(things you should do before you kick the bucket).  Sure enough she said that you should try Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate.  I, being the daughter of Bob Levy, of course have had frozen hot chocolate (probably one too many times!).  I am a big fan, there was a period of time, around when I moved to NYC some 20 years ago, that I went to Serendipity often.

  

I have not taken S. there yet, so we decided to buy the mix online with the special Oprah discount(50% off).  When we got to the Serendipity site there was a big post saying that CBS Saturday morning show was highlighting Frozen Hot Chocolate and that if we went to 59th and Fifth Avenue at 7:15 a.m on Saturday morning to watch the taping we could get a free sample of the mix.  So we woke up very early on Saturday morning and stood with all of the tourists outside of the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue to watch the show.  We got our samples!  Still haven't made them because we need whole milk.

Bummer:  One packet of the mix contains 650 calories--isn't that outrageuos?  No wonder I LOVE it!

Green Shoots - The Product

Do you like this new product? I need a better tagline. Suggestions?

What Ruins Your Appetite?

I am asking around and would appreciate some feedback as to what makes you lose your appetite? Is there something visual that would make you not want to eat? One friend told me that seeing either a hair or a bug in her food ruins her desire to eat. Those offenses don't bother me, but my appetite does shrink after viewing vomit. These 3 examples are probably universal, but what else can stop you? Please either leave a comment or email me. I am working on something and need some feedback!
Much Thanks!