BALANCE?

I have been immersing myself in the social networking world. Attempting to use new tools to promote my brick and mortar business. Exploring different types of blogs and web sites. You know, blogs without great pictures of pretty things and web sites that showcase graphs instead of Etsy links. Boring , right?

A new favorite place for me to linger, Conversation Agent , where Valeria Maltoni, connects people with ideas. She says things like..."Do one big thing and skip all the little ones. Sometimes it's best to invest in one thing, than diluting your efforts and your energies over too many, spreading yourself too thin." wow, right? She is speaking of social media and promotion. {Don't worry all the little details of HiHo are not going away.}

An old favorite...Debi Ward Kennedy's blog is another place I have been lately. Yes this blog has pretty pictures ;) She makes me feel as if I am not alone, while I am working on visual display challenges. Owning a shop in a little town has away of making me feel that, I'm out of the loop of the *real retail* world. Debi's blog brings the world of retail to me. She says things we all need to hear, like *be consistent* it's nice to know she is there when I'm having a day.

Finding a balance? How to juggle the options of promotion and just plain offering a great shopping experience. I wish it was clear, like putting a sign up or taking it down. However it's more like what color, what size, what should it say, what font should we use, what's the message, where should we put it.....get my point?
It is an exciting time for me to be exploring the options of social media and gather some knowledge to promote HiHo more aggressively. The map is changing everyday. I'm trying to develop a plan, much like the plans I draw for floor moves and lists of merchandise I make for themed displays. Although these tools are behind the scenes and often not as apparent to customers as my displays, they are part of the balance of the business.
More importantly is the balance of family and work. A much harder balance for me to strike.

Two teens, a husband and a twenty year old , who is launching a business from her dorm room. SweetPea&Co is my Whitney's new business and if you are considering face book as a venue for promoting your business check it out. If you want to know more about patience ask my husband. For sharpening your talents on singing loudly in your room , Aubrey is your girl. Everett is an expert in down time, specializing in watching politics and the history channel.

Hows that for equal time and finding a balance, hee,hee ;)