French Toast

Bonjour, Bonsoir,

Humpf… I am taking the excuse of writing a new post to sit down. Things have been so busy here today, I have been feeling like a bee in a field of daisies…

Packing an order for a new gallery in New Orleans, inventorying and photographing new products to get ready for the Holiday season on eBay, working on a new series for wholesalecrafts.com, preparing my first “how to’s” movie… just another Sunday in the studio…

A bientôt!!!

First, what is WhatDoISell.com?

The .com may imply this is a web site. Yes, it is a web site, but not only that. It is much more, it is a community lead by Lisa Suttora.

The official mission statement (displayed in big on the home page at www.whatdoisell.com) is “start, run and grow your profitable business on eBay (and beyond) using step-by-step strategies, training and ongoing support”.

I’ve had my share of business gurus (aka false prophets) who claim that they will make you rich, famous and successful.
I’ve had my share of forums, public or private, where your business oriented questions are not answered, but when you ask “what’s for dinner”, you get 300 replies.
Don’t you?

Yes, I’ve tried them all or at least most of them. Until this day, last December, when I attended an eBay workshop animated by Lisa Suttora. I suddenly had a glimpse to someone who knows what she is talking about and who genuinely cares about people. What she going to be the one? Suddenly the Earth shacked and the clouds opened on a beam of lights. It was a sign…

I’ve visited the site. Nice audio message, clear goals, benefits oriented bulleted list. All that spelled professional to me. Without any doubt, I signed up. And this is by far, the best decision I took to help my business.

This is why I love wdis.com:

1. Lisa. It’s not a facade to get people give her their hard earned dollars. She really knows what she is talking about, she really cares, and she really delivers.
2. It’s not just about eBay. The “and beyond” has a big and getting bigger place at WDIS.com
3. The workshops. Several times a month, Lisa organizes online classes. Animated by her of by a special guest speaker. Holistic business review, Social Media Marketing, selling on Amazon, Affiliate Marketing, Yahoo stores… are just some yummy examples.
4. The archives. All the audio and video classes are archived and can be replayed anytime. I can even download the audio classes on my Ipod. Now, some dull activities like driving, going to the gym, ironing, vacuuming, dusting… are not boring anymore. They have become an opportunity to improve my business. Now, that’s multi tasking!!
5. It is also about eBay. Lisa is eBay certified provider. It means that she always has the latest news about policies and new features. And she shares them.
6. The discussion board. You can ask questions, you get answers. We are not talking about what’s for dinner this evening, but about our business. A lot of members are seasoned eBay sellers and are always ready to jump in to help. Lisa also jumps in very often.
7. The updates. WDIS.com is not stale site. It is updated at least once a week with new article and new ideas for my business. When there is something special like an eBay sale, we have an update to explain us the pros and cons to participate.. or not.
8. The advices work!!It’s always on the edge of new trends for business: audio, video, social marketing, blogs…
9. The premium membership (extra). Twice a month, we have a call where we can pick Lisa’s brain on something that is important to our business (not what’s for dinner). One time, I was discouraged, disgusted, lost. After 10 minutes, I was all perky and back in the saddle with directions and a plan of actions.
10. The tweets. We can follow all the latest via a private twitter. Can even get them on my phone!
11. It leaves me in control. I can follow the advices or not, I can take what I need and leave the rest, I can work hard or not. At the end, the future of my business is in my hands. But at least I’ve got all the tools.

What do you think? did I forget something? let me know…

A Bientôt!!!

May 2008 marked a major event. No, not my birthday. I’ve had enough of those to not make it a big deal anymore. May 2008 was when I happily switched from PC to Mac.
After spending countless hours installing, debugging, updating, installing again, debugging again and updating again, I’ve had it. PC is for people who like, or at least don’t mind, spending most of their time dealing with the machine (note, I did not use the “n” word). Me, I like and I need to have things done, done well and done fast.

I love my Mac because it’s always there for me. It’s not busy downloading update of windoze, or firewall, or virus, or whatever. It is up and ready to please me, and it never lets me down

I love my Mac because it came with a all network of people ready to help me when I need. I love my Mac because I am not alone anymore.

Now, the top 13 reasons why I love my Mac:

1. It boots in a snap and is ready to work right away.
2. It cannot have viruses.
3. One-on-one training. For $99 per year, I get one hour per week of private training on the topic of my choice.
4. Genius Bar. An upscale and knowledgeable version of the pathetic “nerd squad” (oops, I used the “n” word, sorry…). And I can schedule my appointment so that I do not waste my time.
5. Phone support. Whatever question I have, I never wait more than 2 minutes and I talk with someone who speaks english.
6. Time machine. Ahh.. the piece of mind of knowing that all my information backs up regularly without me ever thinking about it.
7. .Mac (or now Mobile me). My emails, contacts and agenda are synchronized automatically. I can backup off site my most important files
8. GarageSale. And this one will deserve a “top 13” of it’s own. The best eBay listing manager ever. Good bye bugged and ugly Turbo Lister.
9. iPhoto. Organizes all my photos and allows me to find what I am looking for in a snap.
10. iMovie. To creates neat videos clips to be uploaded on YouTube or my blog.
11. Keynotes. A fun and multi media version of the boring powerpoint.
12. A real notion of what “plug and play” should be.
13. It looks good. Yes, I had to say it. I like looking cool at the coffee shop

And you? have you hugged your Mac today?

A bientôt!!

Hi,

I will be participating to the American Craft Retailers Expo (ACRE) in 2009. The booths have yet to be assigned but I’ll be in the Gallery of Fine Crafts aisle.

The exact dates are May 31st to June 2nd 2009. It will be located in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The ACRE web site is www.acrelasvegas.com

I hope to see you there.

A bientôt!!

Hi, Just to let you know that I am going to participate to the Fall Buyer’s Guide with Wholesalecrafts.com

Look for the photo of the Maya Dancer, from the series “Masters of Space and Time”:

The guide is going to be mailed at the end of August. If you do not receive it, you can find me 24/7 on www.wholesalecrafts.com.

I can’t believe that I am already gearing up for the Christmas season. It is 104F today in my little corner of Arizona… and I try to stay positive by thinking that by Christmas, when most of the country will be freezing, I’ll be on my patio sipping a fruit juice, or in my spa relaxing… or… I’ll be working like a dog packing and shipping my orders, loading and unloading the kilns, working on new pieces and preparing for ACRE.

A bientôt!!

I wanted my second official post to be a fair warning to the grammar patrol out there. Yes, I admit, I may be grammatically incorrect at times. At least I have an excuse: English is not my maternal language. Therefore, it is not perfect… and what?

Voila for what I had to say for now.
A Bientôt!!

Bonjour, Bonsoir.
I guess that I am slow at following trends… I am starting my blog today. But what do they say? better later than never… and I am really excited to have a place where to share information about my work, my business, well… my life.
Yes, a blog of my own, at last.

Why the name? it is simple.
First, I am French. Then, I am living in Phoenix, Arizona. Today 116F, and it can get worse. Going outside makes me understand how would feel a slice of bread (or baguette if you prefer) roasting in a toaster oven.
Lastly, I think that French toasts are delicious. And I want my blog to be just like that!
A Bientôt!!