NSS :: Time to prep

In October, I announced my participation in the 2014 National Stationery Show. Hadn't said much about it since then. There hasn't been much to talk about to be honest. I've had a lot to think about & not much to act on. There is a lot of planning & sketching to do before I create anything…and the time for making my plans into actions is approaching.

There are certain things I've never done before - like design a tradeshow booth or create my catalog, so I've been pretty obsessed with those things. Add in an order form & a line sheet. I just feel more comfortable knocking out the things I've never done before. I've been developing products for years. I know how to do that! So I waited to start on any new products until now…the beginning of 2014.

The next few months I'm taking my letterpress ideas & executing them. (See the first three here) Plus! I think there are some things that I offer currently that I will not be taking to the show. I need to weed out what I know I can make on a wholesale level & the things I might not want to take to that level. 

That means more letterpress posts to come! I'm excited to get Victor up & running again. He had some printing issues in the Spring. Hopefully I figured it out…

NSS or Bust

{the floor at the National Stationery Show, via MyMomShops.com}

Big announcement!!!

I WILL BE EXHIBITING AT THE 2014 NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW!!

OMG, just typing that makes my hands & feet sweat. That's what my body does when I get nervous. My hands & feet turn into a hot mess. That was probably TMI...

I love selling at markets, but I don't love doing it every weekend or even every month. Greeting cards is a very occasion based business to be in. Even though many more people are sending them these days, it is still hard to justify the costs of markets each weekend. And don't even get me started on the time it takes to do them. 

Boy, do I miss the Dekalb Market & having a regular retail location. That was the best.

So, to grow my business, I am looking to wholesale. I am looking forward to forming relationships with stores & sellers who interact with my target market, who have insight into what they are buying. My goal for the show is to write 5 orders with potential recurring clients. Some stationers write 3 orders at their first show, some 20...some don't write any at all. My business goals are not just about selling my products but about forming relationships with people who like what I have to offer & want to work with me as much as I with them.

Sending cards, notes & sweet paper items is so much about relationships - not only those that you have with friends which inspire you to send cards or use fun wrapping paper BUT ALSO!! The relationship that I have with all of you, my clients & potential clients... Well, at least the one I have in my mind that inspires you to send cards... {insert big toothy grin}

So, my goals for the show are to have products that showcase my talents & start building new exciting relationships through them.

Stay tuned as I share the details on how this will all come together.  Come hell or high water, on May 18th, the doors of the Jacob Javits Center here in New York will open & I will be ready!!