A New Addition…Please Reply

I have a favor to ask of you. Please take a minute and read this blog and then let me know, either way, what you would like to do.

I recently decided to add to my business by becoming a Shaklee distributor. This was not a spur of the moment decision. I have been using the Shaklee products for over 10 years now and thinking about becoming a distributor for over a year. Below are my reasons for this decision. I do not want to send you information if you are not interested in the products and will respect your time and inbox.

1) I have used the Shaklee products for a long time and have come to trust them and the integrity of the company. They have a 100% guarantee on their products and that includes the ingredients and purity. They have been around for 55 years and go way beyond other companies in testing and quality.

2) Healthcare just keeps getting more expensive and no one seems to know what the Healthcare Reform is going to do to us. We have to take full responsibility for our health and the health of our families.

3) In my 30’s I experienced a major health scare. Instead of taking the drugs the doctors wanted to prescribe I made the decision to make radical changes to my diet and way of life. While I do not recommend this for others, it was the right decision for me. I am rarely sick now and was recently able to get a very good rate on my health insurance. So I know first hand what a difference taking care of yourself can make. I want to help other people get healthier too.

4) While the business is primarily a business to consumer business the Shaklee cleaning products are an excellent alternative to the strong chemical cleaners used in many businesses. Also, staying healthier means less sick days and lost production.

5) I am the only income earner in my household. The printing industry has suffered like many other industries in our area. I wanted another income stream from a different industry, but did not want to go back to school for a new career. I highly recommend the book “Multiple Streams of Income” by Robert G. Allen if you are in a similar situation.

6) Many of you know that I have been working a part-time retail job for almost two years now. I’m tired of missing events with my kids. The goal is for this to replace that! I can work around my kids’ schedules with Shaklee.

Please go to my website, www.pictureofhealth.myshaklee.com to get more information. I will have a separate email address (poh@triad.rr.com) and a separate blog (not set up yet). The blog is to give you information about health issues, not to beat you over the head to buy something.

All I need from you is to know whether you want to be on my Shaklee email list. That’s it. Thanks for reading and have a great SPRING day! (I thought it would never get here)
Christel

In more detail

Lately I have had several questions about how my business works, so I am going to explain in a little more detail. No, I don't have a printing press in my garage. I will be perfectly happy to never own another printing press. I have spent years stressing over supplies, maintence and scheduling on presses. I will leave that to other people now.

The great thing about Bloomtown Studio is that I get to do the parts of this business that I love to do (except for the accounting). I am no longer tied down to one company. I operate as a Dealer/Broker for many different suppliers now. This gives me the freedom to find the best quality and pricing for my customers.

An example of this is a business card job I got last week. There was a definite deadline that had to be met. I had my choice of three suppliers who all produce equally good quality business cards. Option 1 had the lowest price, but could not meet the deadline. Option 2 could meet the deadline ahead of time, but had the highest price. Option 3 was able to meet the deadline and come in with middle ground pricing.

Even though I have a design background, right now I am using a couple of freelance designers to produce the artwork needed. This frees me up to take care of my customers, research suppliers and juggle the different parts of the jobs that have to be coordinated. I am working on getting a new computer with the latest and greatest software so that I can take on more of the design, especially those rush jobs that make me lose sleep at night.

And...since I don't have all the overhead of a retail building, equipment and employees I am able to pass along the savings to my customers. It's not always a huge amount because everyone has cut their pricing to the bone these days to keep the doors open, but I try to help out as much as possible. I know what it's like to run a business. This is my second round of self-employment. Things are still tough out there.

Just as a reminder, below is a list of most of the products I carry and/or design.

• Logo Design
• Letterhead, Envelopes and Business Cards
• Brochures, Folders and Flyers
• Forms, Business Checks
• Self-Inking Stamps
• Labels and Vinyl Clings
• Copywriting
• Promo Items - Pens, Mugs, Magnets, etc.
• Signs
• If you don't see it on the list, contact me. I will help you find someone who will!

Have a great day!

Christel