Z. Daisy Blog

New Packaging!

We are loving our new packaging for the Binkie Bungees! Check it out!

New Fabrics!

There have been lots changes this past month that we look forward to sharing with you over the next few weeks.  The first being new fabrics!  Brooke and I have been waiting.... and waiting.... and waiting for this fabric to arrive and we could not be more excited.  Many hours and rounds of color strike-offs occurred before we got these right.  So, without further waiting, we'd like to introduce you to our Ross Blue Stripe, Monica Pink Stripe, and Rachel Green Stripe EXCLUSIVE to Z. Daisy!  You can check out our full line of products here.

Best Piece of Advise About Starting Your Own Business

I am always asked "what is your best piece of advise about starting my own business?". A lot of people do not agree with me when I actually tell them my "piece of advise"...but I believe it 100% and am going to back it up today...right now.

HAVE A PARTNER - but choose wisely!

Here are my top reasons for why I believe it is better to have a partner when you are starting a business:

1. We are all gifted people...but not in all areas. Choose someone who is stronger in an area that you are not. (finance, creativity, connections, computer knowledge, etc.)

2. Two minds are ALWAYS better than one. No one other than a person who has a vested interest in your company will tell you the truth and you WILL need someone to tell you the truth sometimes.

3. Sanity is a good thing. No one really gets the funny things, the crazy things and the frustrating things unless they are right there in the throws of your business and it is great to have someone to talk to about everything.

4. Life - you should still have one! If you have a partner, you can go on vacation and not feel like the bottom is going to fall out of your company while you are gone. Sometimes there is so much work that literally there are not enough hours in the day to keep up and that is when I am VERY thankful for having a partner.

5. Computers are not perfect. It is great to know that BOTH of your computers can't crash at the exact same time...so you are probably safe with at least getting back some of your data.

6. If I only had a brain. My brain, since having children, has lost a little bit of the "memory chip" section and therefore it is key to have a parter who will remind me of things that might have been lost in that deep dark zone of my brain.

7. Storage - You can't imagine all of the things that you "have to have" when you run a business out of your home. When there are 2 of you...you can share the load.

8. Connections are what keeps the ship afloat. One person might have a lot of connections...but with 2 people's connections...you can find someone to help you with anything!

9. IT IS JUST WAY MORE FUN HAVING A PARTNER and even though you might say "but you only make 50% of the $$"...having a parter is well worth that 50% pay cut.

If you have a piece of advise about starting your own business...please let us know!

Organic Binkie Bungee Packaging!!

Yeah!  It finally arrived and we are loving it!  Very soon we will be launching our Organic Binkie Bungee and have been working hard to figure some fun and unique packaging.  Brooke found these great recycled cereal boxes to use for the hang tags and they are so cool!  The "inside" of the box will be on the front with all our wording and details, then the back will be the "outside" of the box.  They turned out great and we are so excited about doing our part to recycle and reuse.  We'll let you know when they're in the store, but couldn't resist giving a little sneak peak today!

Organic Binkie Bungees - Coming Soon!!

We are so excited about our first Organic Binkie Bungee!  Production is in the works and hopefully they will be available by the end of the summer.  For now, here's a sneak peak.  Enjoy and let us know what you think!

Country Living - Women Entrepreneurs Event

Wow, what a great weekend!  Brooke and I had the pleasure of attending the 2008 Country Living Women Entrepeneurs Event in downtown Chicago and it was fabulous!  We heard many inspiring stories from some of our favorite women entrepreneurs, including Heather Bailey, Polly Wilson of Barn Dandys, Mia Galison of Eeboo, Anna Griffin of Anna Griffin Inc., and many, many more.  Be sure to check them all out at the Country Living link above, they truly are an inspiration to us all. 

Absolutely loved all the pink signs.  I'm pretty sure my husband didn't have those at his coaching football conference a few weeks back. =) The spectacular gift bags were great too!  Check out all the goodies from our featured women's product lines.

The 2009 event is scheduled to be in Chicago again - yeah!  We can't wait!

New Product at January Gift Shows!

We are so excited to introduce our new Camo Binkie Bungees at the January Gift shows!  The new year also brings new packaging and new ways to save (we'll talk about those tomorrow)!  Here's a few places you can find us this month:  Our first debut was at the Portland Gift Show in the Monkey Business booth.  This week you can find us at the Atlanta Gift Show in the Summer Place  Reps Showroom starting on the 8th and going through the 16th.  Next week we will be at Dallas Gift Show in the Summer Place II Showroom from the 16th-22nd.  To contact Summer Place Reps regarding our product, please visit their site at www.summerplacereps.com.  If you won't be attending one of the shows, but would like to learn more about our new product, please contact us at info@zdaisy.com. 

Mitten Clips!

Our Blankie Bungees are serious multi-taskers!  They have so many uses that we hope to share with you over the next few months.  Given the snowy days at my house, we'll start with their immediate use.... mitten clips!  I'm always worried my kids will lose their mittens.  Well, worry no more.  The Blankie Bungee clips are perfect for keeping them attached to their coat.  Gotta love that! 

Blankie Bungees Multi-Tasking

We love our Blankie Bungees!  Originally designed to keep baby blankets off the floor, we've come to realize they have so many more uses as the kids grow.  Over the next few weeks we plan to bring you more of the less obvious functions for these multi-taskers.  But for today, here's a picture of our Blankie Bungee attaching a travel blanket to the car seat.  If you're tired of your baby throwing their blanket out of their car seat or stroller, then these little clips are for you!  Check out our entire line of Blankie Bungees at www.zdaisy.com.  More on Blankie Bungee uses coming soon!