Style for Grace

So its Jan. 1st, I'm sitting in my pjs and will try, like millions of others, to remain true to my new years resolutions.

My resolutions are a combination of personal and professional. Throughout this year, I resolve to share with you, my triumphs and struggles to work on each. It won't be easy, but I believe conscious efforts and commiting them to paper is a major leap in the right direction.

Resolution #1: Stop biting my nails. I found that I bite my left fingers more than my right (I'm left handed, so I assuming that's why.) and currently, I have 3 fingernails on the right hand that are almost acceptable. I've always been self-conscious about this awful habit and want to try to break it once and for all. I'm not the type of girl who will have long beautiful nails - but I just want nails that if I chose to get a manicure I could. Right now, 6 of my 10 fingernails would horrify a manicurist! To start, I will attempt to paint my nails - this has worked in the past. I'll let you know how it goes...

Resolution #2: Grow Style for Grace organically. Launching a business is hard, but generating sales and having a meaningful business plan are even harder. I am resolved to work on the business rather than in the business. While being profitable certainly keeps you in business, its not the only factor of measuring success. I resolve to work on the Style for Grace brand and allow my business to achieve other notable success such as becoming diversified in product offerings, give more back to the community, and develop meaningful partnerships with other businesses. During 2009, Style for Grace will expand beyond dresses to offer more clothing options as well as accessories for girls. I'll report new product launches throughout 2009! Stay tuned!

Resolution #3: Grow the Greater Capital Region Chapter of Savor the Success. As I mentioned yesterday, Julie Defruscio and I are co-leaders of the Greater Capital Region Chapter for Savor the Success. For women living in the Capital Region, our local Savor events are ones you don't want to miss. Our next Six Degrees of Separation Event is Wednesday, January, 21st at Harmony House Marketplace in Cohoes. Featured as two of Metroland's local heroes of 2008, you can meet Diane Conroy La Civita and Jane La Civita Clemente, co-owners of Harmony House Marketplace plus enjoy an atypical networking meeting that is topic-centered with a an expert Q & A sessions (think Oprah interview format) followed by a Six Degrees of Separation exercise designed to get you to connect on a deeper level and assist you to fulfill your goals. To make your reservation click here.

Resolution #4: Become a better me. I talked about this yesterday, but part of being nicer to myself begins with eliminating guilt. If I'm working, I feel guilt for not being with my family. If I'm with my family, I feel guilt for not working on my business. If I'm working on my business, I feel guilt for not taking time for myself. These are just a few examples. I've already identified that part of being a better me comes with being generous with time and expectations. I resolve to exercise more consistently. I'm going to enjoy books and not speed through them. I'm going to re-evaluate my current magazine subscription addiction and most likely cancel some. I'm going to look at my "to-do" list using realistic measurements. This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I resolve to make time for being a guilt-free me. Amen!

So, I've read it takes 21 days to change a habit. I will keep you posted on my progress - but now, I'm going to enjoy some guilt-free time with Grace and Tom - time for sledding!

Happy New Year's! Here's to 2009!

Labels: biting nails, guilt-free me, resolutions, savor the success, styleforgrace

So, my plan was to write (feverishly) a few blog entries. Until 5 minutes ago, I committed to writing three: one about our trip on the Polar Express, one about Christmas, and one about 2008: the good, the bad and the ugly. Then I read Deena Burgess' blog and joined her quest to be better to myself. I could write three separate entries, but why put unnecessary pressure on myself - when really during this season I should be celebratory, positive, and a little less demanding of myself. Thank you Deena, your insight and timing was impeccable!

So, this is my one and last entry for 2008. My theme: what I've accomplished in 2008.

1) The online birth of Style for Grace. Launching this business was 2 years in the making. Aside from my marriage and the birth of my daughter, it might be my greatest achievement to date. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit and am so grateful for the love, support, and tenacity to actually start a business. I cannot think of a professional accomplishment greater than seeing my business live and actually have people write, "Your business is terrific!" During 2008, I made my first online sales, garnered quality reviews from national blogs, and managed a feature in the Capital Region's largest daily newspaper, the Albany Times Union. At so many points along this journey, I faced fears I never knew existed within me and managed to face each with gusto. At times, I struggled to find humor and really just wanted to cry and give up. I'm proud to say, I never did. My advice, not that you were asking, but I'll share it anyway, never give up - which sounds equally cliche, but nevertheless appropriate.

2) Groundbreaking of our dream home. My husband and I finally broke ground on our epic dream home. It's epic in the sense of its undertaking, not its size. Here I thought you just hire professionals then voila your house was built. Wow, was I wrong! Before beginning this adventure, someone told me building a home was a true test of a marriage. Tom and I are passing this test with flying colors! We've had our moments, believe me; but I wouldn't build a home with anyone else. This entire project has proven that his patience and my persistence make us quite the duo. During 2009, I will share more about this adventure, but for now, let's just say, the completion of this project is on the horizon.

3) In 2008, my sweet little Grace became potty trained. Right after Grace's second birthday, I started thinking about economies of scale and urged her to wear big girl underwear. I purchased movies, made charts, took pictures, made celebratory phone calls to random family members whenever she successful went on the potty - seriously you name it, I tried it. Wouldn't you know Grace resisted. I read a wonderful book by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton and came to the realization that potty training shouldn't be on my timeline, but should be self-directed by Grace. We left for summer vacation and Tom and I consciously decided to drop potty training and wouldn't you know, Miss Grace wanted to go on the potty. We came home from vacation and the interest still existed and her confidence grew. She has been potty trained for a few months now! I will admit I still carry a diaper bag - it's my little insurance policy, because as Grace has reminded me through this potty training journey, "Momma, accidents happen."


4) Becoming involved with Savor the Success, the new social networking and public relations co-op for female entrepreneurs and professionals. This has been such a gem for my business and has connected me with so many amazing and savvy women. I feel truly blessed to be the co-leader of the Greater Capital Region Chapter with Julie Defuscio of Girly Girl Studios. Julie and I look forward to growing and "savoring" our successes with women in the Capital Region and beyond during 2009. Our next Capital Region event is January 21st.

As I wrote all this, I felt a surge of positive energy - these are really great things that I should celebrate and I will do so this evening. And when I sip my celebratory drink tonight, I'll reflect, and look to 2009 with vigor and certainty that the joys of entrepreneurship, motherhood and marriage will bring much to celebrate during the year! Cheers!

Labels: 2008, potty training, savor the success, styleforgrace

Yesterday was an incredibly long day. I took the 3:05 p.m. train to New York City to attend the Savor the Success Holiday Party and Trunk Show. When I arrived at Penn Station, I took a cab downtown and landed at Delluva Spa and Salon on Franklin Street to make my way to the party. I'm typically a late arrival to parties. However, last night, I was among the first arrivals. I was immediately handed my goodie bag - which was filled with many wonderful items - then greeted by Angela Jia Kim, CEO of Om Aroma, co-founder of Savor the Success, Concert Pianist extraordinaire and recent muse of Tim Gunn via his Bravo TV show "Tim Gunn: Guide to Style." Angela shared with me the event layout and off I went to shop and network!

I should mention that Angela is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and someone I have enjoyed getting to know over the last few months! It was so nice seeing a familiar face immediately upon arriving!

So here I am, arriving alone at a spa in NYC with my laptop backpack (dorky, huh? I needed the hours on the train to work!) greeted by sweet Angela and I quickly realized, I only knew one other person (Gwen Gardner) at the entire event! Gwen is the owner and designer of Little Chickie Wear and she was selling her eco-friendly organic cotton t-shirt and onesies. Admittedly, I did linger at her booth quite a bit!

As I began to take steps towards the crowd, I immediately begin to panic. I soon began feeling anxiety, similar to those slight pangs of fear on the first day of school! It seemed like everyone had someone to talk with except me! Can you imagine? In retrospect this is slightly exaggerated, but nevertheless, I was nervous and couldn't muster the courage to introduce myself to anyone! Yikes!

So I'll admit, I choked. I did manage to make one new contact in-between my fits of networking distress: Rupa Bihani Shah of Bring it in a Bag. BTW, check out her Web site - she sells these fantastic jute bags that will help you reach your "green" goals - I left with two bags for my weekly grocery shopping trips and will now make the leap to being a "green" grocer. For those of you who are Capital Region residents, Rupa is originally from Niskayuna - small world, huh?

Now, for a person who naturally is an extrovert, I'm wondering what happened? Typically, when attending events, I come prepared to network, filled with energy, and eager to meet new people. Last night, I walked in feeling charged and ready to meet and connect, but left early to catch an earlier train. Perhaps I wanted to arrive home at a relatively normal hour (10:55 p.m. vs. 1:15 a.m.), perhaps I needed more to eat and drink, but one thing is evident, I entered the door energized then developed cold feet in about 5 minutes.

Regardless, I would love to hear from you regarding your best (and worst) networking moments. What tips do you have to offer people going solo to events?

Special thanks to Angela, Mark (Angela's husband, co-founder of Savor the Success, and top notch cook!) and Delluva Spa - it was a fantastic event and I walked away with lots of goodies and gifts!

Labels: bring it in a bag, holiday parties, little chickie wear, networking, om aroma, savor the success, tips