I think the thing that actually held me up the longest in actually really moving toward starting an online business was the lack of a website. One of my sons was taking a course in Web Design and I was going to sort of wait for that or try this or try that. I was always surfing around looking at my options. I looked at templates online but none of them really suited my purpose, plus I would have needed to know something about Web Design to use them.
I found Homestead a few times and I loved their templates, I think I got confused and thought if I wanted to sell anything at all I would have to sign up for the store option. Well that was not really so, it turned out.
Anyway, they have a free trial, so I don't know why I waited. (In fact this is the only web hosting that I found that had a free trial.) I realized that not having the website or the time to figure all that out was what was holding me up, so I got started. It's very easy to use and the tech support is very helpful. I did definitely need them at certain points, but I would just submit a question and the same day it would come back with the answer. But it's basically just drag and click.
As far as the store part, that was really easy too. Probably most of you already have a Paypal Account. Did you know you can upgrade it to a business account for free? You can start a business account free even if you don't already have a regular account. With certain add-ons you have to pay, but to be able to accept Paypal on your website or send email invoices to customers for payment there is no extra charge. You have to pay a small transaction percentage at the time someone actually purchases something, but that is standard with any merchant account. What I like about this is no monthly fees plus they have a simple option where you create your own Paypal "Add to Cart" and "Buy Now" buttons. After you create it, they give you the HTML to put into your site, which is super easy if you use Homestead's Site builder which comes with the hosting for free. You basically drag a box to where you want it on your site, click on the box and something opens up where you simply paste in the code and that's it. There is even something on the Site Builder to create buttons using Paypal is well and you don't have to have pay for a Store to use it. Some time maybe I will take the time to figure out how to build a website with Dreamweaver, but I wanted to get the show on the road so to speak.
I think the above two things are what really made it so I got moving and made it easy for me and it's always good to get moving or else you don't get anything done, obviously.
I have found other great easy resources I'll go into on later posts.
Until next time,
Claire
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving and after Thanksgiving Sales etc...
Hi
I'm going to make this real quick and add more later. I'm cooking dinner for Thanksgiving of course.
I delivered the paper last night for my son and probably you all know but some of you may not (I looked at the ads in the paper), that tomorrow morning if you get up early, I mean super early you are going to get some great bargains at the store for your Christmas gifts. It's the cheapest way to get your presents.
It will be a crowded rush though and they are having huge specials online today and tomorrow as well. I have a gift site I recently created that will show you those specials or links to the stores I'm associated with(only through my web pages) that are having these specials, including Wal Mart and Amazon. See easygiftsandflowers.com to see more places offering deals online.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm going to make this real quick and add more later. I'm cooking dinner for Thanksgiving of course.
I delivered the paper last night for my son and probably you all know but some of you may not (I looked at the ads in the paper), that tomorrow morning if you get up early, I mean super early you are going to get some great bargains at the store for your Christmas gifts. It's the cheapest way to get your presents.
It will be a crowded rush though and they are having huge specials online today and tomorrow as well. I have a gift site I recently created that will show you those specials or links to the stores I'm associated with(only through my web pages) that are having these specials, including Wal Mart and Amazon. See easygiftsandflowers.com to see more places offering deals online.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Great Resources for Starting Online Businesses
Well I have a really busy night ahead of me helping my son with the paper route. I'll tell you how that's going in next entry. It's Thanksgiving and the paper is going to be huge. They are opening the distribution center early so we can get started putting the large amount of inserts in.
Anyway, I'm going to start sharing with you some of the great resources I found and have tried for creating an online business.
The favorite links on the right side of my page shows a number of the links you should check out.
The things I like are high quality, time saving and low cost and I always shop around. So I believe this will help you.
There is a sea of offers trying to lure you on the internet with get rich quick schemes, but there are things you definitely can do to start a successful web business. The book I recommend you start with is a book by Yanik Silver: Moonlighting on the Internet . It gives 5 different ways to earn income on the internet, each section written by someone who has had a lot of success and gives you a pretty thorough idea of how to do it. Them when you know which of these ideas you would like to pursue, most of these authors have written their own books, which you can read for more information. When you go to the link above you'll also see 4 Hour Work Week which I also recommend you pick up.
I'll be posting some information on website building soon, see the links on this page if you're ready to get started on that now.
Later,
Claire
Anyway, I'm going to start sharing with you some of the great resources I found and have tried for creating an online business.
The favorite links on the right side of my page shows a number of the links you should check out.
The things I like are high quality, time saving and low cost and I always shop around. So I believe this will help you.
There is a sea of offers trying to lure you on the internet with get rich quick schemes, but there are things you definitely can do to start a successful web business. The book I recommend you start with is a book by Yanik Silver: Moonlighting on the Internet . It gives 5 different ways to earn income on the internet, each section written by someone who has had a lot of success and gives you a pretty thorough idea of how to do it. Them when you know which of these ideas you would like to pursue, most of these authors have written their own books, which you can read for more information. When you go to the link above you'll also see 4 Hour Work Week which I also recommend you pick up.
I'll be posting some information on website building soon, see the links on this page if you're ready to get started on that now.
Later,
Claire
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
When life gives you roses....
I think of that saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. " I like it because you don't fight the problem, you create something good with it. I say when life gives you roses, make rose bouquets.
One thing rose sellers often worry about is having too many roses. I actually tend to worry about the opposite, sometimes to a fault. Occasionally I'll be doing very well and I'll start worrying I'll run out of roses, then the night starts slowing down. That's not good either, but I do try to plan to have plenty as when I first sold roses I ran into several occasions where I sold out which was great but if I had more roses on that occasion I could have made a lot more money.
Last weekend since I also have a wholesale business now I had more roses than I was likely going to sell. So besides my singles and bouquets I made little 2 rose bouquets. Then I went into my closet which is stuffed with all the smaller stuffed animals I bought(life gave me stuffed animals also). I attached them to my 2 rose bouquets and made them very prominent in my basket and sold those all night, more than I sold my singles. I sold it for $10.
I used items that would have gone to waste or would have sat around collecting space for a lot longer and moved them and it was great, it created an item that sparked new interest from the buyers and instead of selling singles mostly that night I sold those and my bigger bouquets.
This could also save a person from having to go out an extra night to get get them sold, which is often less profitable than doing something on a Friday that pulls in more buyers for a higher priced item.
The week before I made dozen roses bouquets and sold them at a great price for the buyer.
Anyway I've learned some other things in life you can make lemonade with. I mentioned I was going to be talking about this in an earlier blog. I think I will get around to posting that tomorrow.
See ya,
Claire
One thing rose sellers often worry about is having too many roses. I actually tend to worry about the opposite, sometimes to a fault. Occasionally I'll be doing very well and I'll start worrying I'll run out of roses, then the night starts slowing down. That's not good either, but I do try to plan to have plenty as when I first sold roses I ran into several occasions where I sold out which was great but if I had more roses on that occasion I could have made a lot more money.
Last weekend since I also have a wholesale business now I had more roses than I was likely going to sell. So besides my singles and bouquets I made little 2 rose bouquets. Then I went into my closet which is stuffed with all the smaller stuffed animals I bought(life gave me stuffed animals also). I attached them to my 2 rose bouquets and made them very prominent in my basket and sold those all night, more than I sold my singles. I sold it for $10.
I used items that would have gone to waste or would have sat around collecting space for a lot longer and moved them and it was great, it created an item that sparked new interest from the buyers and instead of selling singles mostly that night I sold those and my bigger bouquets.
This could also save a person from having to go out an extra night to get get them sold, which is often less profitable than doing something on a Friday that pulls in more buyers for a higher priced item.
The week before I made dozen roses bouquets and sold them at a great price for the buyer.
Anyway I've learned some other things in life you can make lemonade with. I mentioned I was going to be talking about this in an earlier blog. I think I will get around to posting that tomorrow.
See ya,
Claire
Monday, November 24, 2008
Bouquets, Teddy Bears....
Well if you're not already taking advantage of the extra profits you can make with one sale by selling bouquets, take a look at this. Let's say you sell one rose for $3, $4 or $5 and this customer is only going to buy one thing from you anyway, why not have some bouquets available on your basket in case he wants to impress his girl a little more.
I have a bouquet I sell with 4 roses in it, baby's breath and a little greenery for $15 to $20. What makes it more successful in getting sales is attaching a teddy bear or a stuffed puppy dog or some little cute animal to it. Of course you're making less profit per rose but who cares--you're earning more money on the sale. Obviously if you sold bouquets all night, rather than single roses, you'd come home with a lot more cash. You should have both available to the customers or you'll lose sales but if you look at it this way, it becomes clear.
I have talked to several people who sell roses who say they want to keep it simple and not go through the trouble. Definitely I agree with keeping things simple. But look you're out selling to earn money, you only have a couple of really good nights to sell--make the most of it. Are you a professional rose seller or what? Provide more for the customer and at the same time increase your business. I use bouquet sleeves as this is quicker than wrapping. You just set up your bouquet on the table the way you want it, slide it through the sleeve and tie it with a ribbon.
Some people truly are overwhelmed with the time it takes to prepare roses in general, they are working other jobs, caring for children etc..let alone adding in bouquet making. I'll provide some tips later that may help speed this up for you as that's exactly been my situation but my main point here was, cash in on the option of selling bouquets.
You're rose preparation could be cutting into the time you could be selling or other profitable endeavors in that case get a wholesaler who will prepare the roses for you.
Happy roseselling,
Claire
I have a bouquet I sell with 4 roses in it, baby's breath and a little greenery for $15 to $20. What makes it more successful in getting sales is attaching a teddy bear or a stuffed puppy dog or some little cute animal to it. Of course you're making less profit per rose but who cares--you're earning more money on the sale. Obviously if you sold bouquets all night, rather than single roses, you'd come home with a lot more cash. You should have both available to the customers or you'll lose sales but if you look at it this way, it becomes clear.
I have talked to several people who sell roses who say they want to keep it simple and not go through the trouble. Definitely I agree with keeping things simple. But look you're out selling to earn money, you only have a couple of really good nights to sell--make the most of it. Are you a professional rose seller or what? Provide more for the customer and at the same time increase your business. I use bouquet sleeves as this is quicker than wrapping. You just set up your bouquet on the table the way you want it, slide it through the sleeve and tie it with a ribbon.
Some people truly are overwhelmed with the time it takes to prepare roses in general, they are working other jobs, caring for children etc..let alone adding in bouquet making. I'll provide some tips later that may help speed this up for you as that's exactly been my situation but my main point here was, cash in on the option of selling bouquets.
You're rose preparation could be cutting into the time you could be selling or other profitable endeavors in that case get a wholesaler who will prepare the roses for you.
Happy roseselling,
Claire
Tips for fellow nightclub rosesellers- A Real $5. Rose
One of the reasons I started this blog is that I couldn't find any particular resources or much information at all for or about this business and I thought it would nice if there was someplace rose sellers could for resources and sharing information and ideas. I will regularly be posting specific experiences, tips, tricks etc...on selling roses in nightclubs.(I have been selling roses for over ten years.) The rest of my posts however I think those in this business and others will also find helpful such as some everyday life tips and ways to expand your business or create new businesses especially online. We probably can't go out and sell roses all our lives, now can we?
Now I've had some very successful actions recently I would like to share. First of all I have discovered a beautiful large red rose called Night Fever.
This rose in itself is a real attention getter, the last few weekends since I've been selling this rose I've had people stopping me being very impressed with the size of this rose (it has a huge head) and being very interested in purchasing. Also I've had many comments on how beautifully it opened and how long it lasted(which it does) and wanting more. They were more than happy to pay five bucks for it, not your usual reaction, as you know. And I will plug my wholesale website
here as I can get this kind of rose for you.
Business was kind of dragging affected by the economy and such and I started selling this rose and it really picked up. Instead of me having to go up to people, they were coming to me.
Which also leads me to another point, if you're going to beat this economy situation, you're going to have to keep thinking on your feet of new ideas to spice up what you have to offer. They will still buy, you've just got to keep them interested. I will be including in my blogs any any new successful ideas I run into so keep posted and feel free to comment with any ideas or thoughts of your own.
Good Luck,
Claire
Now I've had some very successful actions recently I would like to share. First of all I have discovered a beautiful large red rose called Night Fever.
This rose in itself is a real attention getter, the last few weekends since I've been selling this rose I've had people stopping me being very impressed with the size of this rose (it has a huge head) and being very interested in purchasing. Also I've had many comments on how beautifully it opened and how long it lasted(which it does) and wanting more. They were more than happy to pay five bucks for it, not your usual reaction, as you know. And I will plug my wholesale website
here as I can get this kind of rose for you.
Business was kind of dragging affected by the economy and such and I started selling this rose and it really picked up. Instead of me having to go up to people, they were coming to me.
Which also leads me to another point, if you're going to beat this economy situation, you're going to have to keep thinking on your feet of new ideas to spice up what you have to offer. They will still buy, you've just got to keep them interested. I will be including in my blogs any any new successful ideas I run into so keep posted and feel free to comment with any ideas or thoughts of your own.
Good Luck,
Claire
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Biphasic what?
Well I am not continuing this experiment at this time. I guess you could say my biphasic sleep experiment failed. I got tired of wasting time trying to get a nap before I left for work and I was too lucky to get much sleep when I got back at 6 or 7 AM, on a new schedule to even think of cutting it short.
From what I understand there is about a week phase or more of getting into the schedule and getting used to the biphasic schedule.
See earlier post "why I am trying this experiment" for details on what I've been up to.
Basically I'm doing a paper route with my son while still selling roses on weekend nights before that
etc..etc...
So it's a little too much to add in the experiment. Just wanted to tell you what happened with that.
But you know as rough as it's been I have really have had some enlightening experiences with this new ultra super busy schedule. It's like an experiment in itself and has had some interesting results. I'll tell you about it in my next blog. I have to leave now and deliver papers.
Until Later,
Claire
From what I understand there is about a week phase or more of getting into the schedule and getting used to the biphasic schedule.
See earlier post "why I am trying this experiment" for details on what I've been up to.
Basically I'm doing a paper route with my son while still selling roses on weekend nights before that
etc..etc...
So it's a little too much to add in the experiment. Just wanted to tell you what happened with that.
But you know as rough as it's been I have really have had some enlightening experiences with this new ultra super busy schedule. It's like an experiment in itself and has had some interesting results. I'll tell you about it in my next blog. I have to leave now and deliver papers.
Until Later,
Claire
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Day Two : Sleep Experiment
Well, not really happening..... I did not fall asleep until less than an hour before I had to go. I wasted a lot of time trying to sleep. I slept 6 or 7 hours in the morning though and boy did I need it.
I haven't given up yet though.
Later,
Claire
I haven't given up yet though.
Later,
Claire
Monday, November 17, 2008
Day One: Biphasic sleep
Well it wasn't exactly as I planned. I was going to sleep the most time before I left, I hoped maybe 3 to 4 hours so I went to bed around 10PM, but I didn't fall asleep til around 12 AM. I had to get up at 1:30 AM. But surprisingly the hour and a half sleep was refreshing and I wasn't too groggy.
When I got back home at around 6AM, I went to bed at 7AM and woke up on my own without enough sleep around 10AM.
I do feel like a zombie today. It is supposed to take a week to adjust and it might of been a good idea to catch up on my lost weekend sleep first.
I'm going to go to bed pretty soon, let's see if I fall asleep...
Claire
When I got back home at around 6AM, I went to bed at 7AM and woke up on my own without enough sleep around 10AM.
I do feel like a zombie today. It is supposed to take a week to adjust and it might of been a good idea to catch up on my lost weekend sleep first.
I'm going to go to bed pretty soon, let's see if I fall asleep...
Claire
Why am I trying this schedule??
Well number one if it was really possible to make more time in the day, wouldn't it be cool?
Another thing, I don't sleep so well anyway-who knows maybe it will improve my sleep quality.
What really started getting me thinking about it was this : I started doing a paper route with my son in the middle of the night. It's from around 2 or 3 to 6AM. This will really be fun on the weekends when I work til 3AM selling roses.
Why am I doing this, you may ask. Well my 18 year old son, Trevor, is very shy so it's really hard for him to go out to interviews for jobs. So I got this hairbrain scheme, yes kind of like Lucy(I even have the Cuban husband to prove it.) Anyway I got a job as an independent contractor delivering papers. I can hire anyone I want so I'm hiring him. But he doesn't drive yet, so we're doing it together for now. It was a crazy the first night doing that, I'll tell you. We weren't so good at it.
Anyway I was talking to my 19 year old son, Matthew, wondering how and when I would sleep
and he joked with me to try the sleep schedule he had told me about. And I of course thought "Wow, what a good idea!"
So that's why,
Claire
Another thing, I don't sleep so well anyway-who knows maybe it will improve my sleep quality.
What really started getting me thinking about it was this : I started doing a paper route with my son in the middle of the night. It's from around 2 or 3 to 6AM. This will really be fun on the weekends when I work til 3AM selling roses.
Why am I doing this, you may ask. Well my 18 year old son, Trevor, is very shy so it's really hard for him to go out to interviews for jobs. So I got this hairbrain scheme, yes kind of like Lucy(I even have the Cuban husband to prove it.) Anyway I got a job as an independent contractor delivering papers. I can hire anyone I want so I'm hiring him. But he doesn't drive yet, so we're doing it together for now. It was a crazy the first night doing that, I'll tell you. We weren't so good at it.
Anyway I was talking to my 19 year old son, Matthew, wondering how and when I would sleep
and he joked with me to try the sleep schedule he had told me about. And I of course thought "Wow, what a good idea!"
So that's why,
Claire
My biphasic sleep experiment. A way to to require less sleep and gain more time..?
Okay so first I'll introduce myself. My name is Claire Mesa. My main line of work is a rose seller in nightclubs on the weekend, this is my own home-based business though I must obviously leave home to do a major portion of it. I also wholesale roses to other rose sellers. I'm also starting some businesses at home, building my own websites etc... I'm not a web designer but I've found some great resources to build websites for newbies. I'll post more on the above later.
I'm also a home schooling mom, my kids are teenage and above.
Anyway I'm a super busy lady and my son Matthew told me about this wild thing he saw on the web where you can sleep 2 to 3 hours a day by sleeping around a half hour every 4 hours.
I began researching this and found there is also something called "Biphasic Sleep" wherein you break up your sleep into 2 segments-sleep 90 minutes at one point in the day and the 3 to 4 1/2 hours per night. Supposedly you will feel good on less sleep using this method after an adaption period of about a week.
So I'm using myself as a guinea pig and my first blogging subject will be letting you know how the experiment goes day by day. No hype, I'll tell you what really happens.
Today is Day 1 of the experiment of "Biphasic Sleep" and blogging as well. I'll be posting more information on how the first day went a little later.
Bye now,
Claire
I'm also a home schooling mom, my kids are teenage and above.
Anyway I'm a super busy lady and my son Matthew told me about this wild thing he saw on the web where you can sleep 2 to 3 hours a day by sleeping around a half hour every 4 hours.
I began researching this and found there is also something called "Biphasic Sleep" wherein you break up your sleep into 2 segments-sleep 90 minutes at one point in the day and the 3 to 4 1/2 hours per night. Supposedly you will feel good on less sleep using this method after an adaption period of about a week.
So I'm using myself as a guinea pig and my first blogging subject will be letting you know how the experiment goes day by day. No hype, I'll tell you what really happens.
Today is Day 1 of the experiment of "Biphasic Sleep" and blogging as well. I'll be posting more information on how the first day went a little later.
Bye now,
Claire
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