When I told my husband I planned to pursue Stringbeans, his first question was "When?" As in, how are you going to fit that in between volunteering at the kids' school, writing, pitching articles, volunteering for PanCan, taking care of the kids and the dog, doing laundry, picking up groceries, managing our household plus our house on Whidbey Island, running to appointments, etc., etc., etc.?
I'll admit, I'm already pretty short on time. Luckily, my business partner is a mom just like me, so she faces the same constraints. Our kids are friends, so we end up holding meetings at the bus stop (morning and afternoon), while walking the dogs, or on the treadmill at the gym. I'll call her with a question from the grocery store (yes, I'm one of those obnoxious people chatting while I'm in the dairy aisle). She knows she can call me with an idea bright and early because my kids have woken me up anyway.
We're working it out. And my husband knows that it's his turn to pick up some of the slack. The laundry is piling up, but that's ok.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Vacation!
We just got back from a week in sunny Florida. I'm glad we got to soak up a little vitamin D because when we returned to Seattle we were welcomed by snow. Yes, snow in April. How I love the Northwest!
In any case, while in the sunshine state I managed to sneak in a little bit of Stringbeans business and drove to Miami to attend Material World. My aim was to source a fabric supplier who would be willing to work with a startup business. I spent the first hour wandering in a daze. It seems that with every step I take in this business I realize how little I know! Once I got over the shell-shock, though, I was able to gather a few business cards and I actually attended a couple of workshops. Next steps - hire a patternmaker and a sewing contractor. But that's a post for another day.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Growing a business: Stringbeans
Because I don't have nearly enough on my plate, I've decided to start a business. I'm launching a line of children's pants that are designed specifically for kids who are long and lean - skinny, like my two sons!
I don't know much about running a business. And I don't know anything about running a clothing company. But I do know that I'm sick of running from store to store with my measuring tape trying (in vain) to find pants that will fit my kids around the waist without being 3 inches too short. Call me crazy, but I'm not going to make my kids wear pants that look like capris, especially in Seattle where it's cold and wet 11 months of the year!
So my partner and I have been measuring kids and tinkering with size charts and picking out fabrics and researching contract sewers...and that's just the beginning. I'm starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into! But when I start to panic I just take deep breath and remind myself that most great things don't bloom overnight. What I need to do is plant the seed, add some water, let the sun shine down, and let it this business grow.
Of course, I can already see that this is going to cut into my writing time, just when I'm starting to find some minor success. I'm trying to be disciplined about how I spend my days. I think I'll have to say no to some social engagements. But I'm not willing to give up either endeavor. Does it count if I write about business?
I don't know much about running a business. And I don't know anything about running a clothing company. But I do know that I'm sick of running from store to store with my measuring tape trying (in vain) to find pants that will fit my kids around the waist without being 3 inches too short. Call me crazy, but I'm not going to make my kids wear pants that look like capris, especially in Seattle where it's cold and wet 11 months of the year!
So my partner and I have been measuring kids and tinkering with size charts and picking out fabrics and researching contract sewers...and that's just the beginning. I'm starting to wonder what I've gotten myself into! But when I start to panic I just take deep breath and remind myself that most great things don't bloom overnight. What I need to do is plant the seed, add some water, let the sun shine down, and let it this business grow.
Of course, I can already see that this is going to cut into my writing time, just when I'm starting to find some minor success. I'm trying to be disciplined about how I spend my days. I think I'll have to say no to some social engagements. But I'm not willing to give up either endeavor. Does it count if I write about business?
Rattling Cages for Pancreatic Cancer
I just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where I joined 220 other citizen lobbyists to hit up Congress for research funding for Pancreatic Cancer. It was a powerful couple of days.
The first day was spent in training. I thought I knew a lot about Pancreatic Cancer - it's fast, it's deadly, it's hard to detect - but seeing the actual numbers and learning about the funding inequities was really eye opening.
Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States (after lung, breast, and colon) and yet it receives the least amount of funding per patient of all major cancers. On the flip side, it has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, with only 5% surviving 5 years - 75% of patients diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer die within the first year. No real progress has been made in treating Pancreatic Cancer in 30 years.
The second day was spent meeting with my Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. My group was lucky to secure meetings with our actual representatives as well as their very well-informed staff. I have to admit I was expecting a "Here's your hat, what's your hurry?" type of response, but we were met with smart, probing questions and some very positive feedback. A nice surprise. What we were asking for - $170 million in funding for Pancreatic Cancer plus an increase of 9.5% for the NCI - is a lot of money. But considering funding levels for this kind of cancer are where breast cancer funding levels were in 1950, it's time to take some action. We have a lot of catching up to do.
The real treat, if I can even call it that, was spending time with other people who have been affected by Pancreatic Cancer. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who have (like me) lost someone they loved, but inspiring to look into the fighting eyes of survivors. It was like we all spoke the same language, and when someone said "I understand," I knew they meant it.
So hats off to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for putting on an Advocacy Day that may make a huge difference in thousands of lives. And hats off to Washington State's politicians - I have a new appreciation for the work they're doing.
The first day was spent in training. I thought I knew a lot about Pancreatic Cancer - it's fast, it's deadly, it's hard to detect - but seeing the actual numbers and learning about the funding inequities was really eye opening.
Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States (after lung, breast, and colon) and yet it receives the least amount of funding per patient of all major cancers. On the flip side, it has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, with only 5% surviving 5 years - 75% of patients diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer die within the first year. No real progress has been made in treating Pancreatic Cancer in 30 years.
The second day was spent meeting with my Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill. My group was lucky to secure meetings with our actual representatives as well as their very well-informed staff. I have to admit I was expecting a "Here's your hat, what's your hurry?" type of response, but we were met with smart, probing questions and some very positive feedback. A nice surprise. What we were asking for - $170 million in funding for Pancreatic Cancer plus an increase of 9.5% for the NCI - is a lot of money. But considering funding levels for this kind of cancer are where breast cancer funding levels were in 1950, it's time to take some action. We have a lot of catching up to do.
The real treat, if I can even call it that, was spending time with other people who have been affected by Pancreatic Cancer. It was heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who have (like me) lost someone they loved, but inspiring to look into the fighting eyes of survivors. It was like we all spoke the same language, and when someone said "I understand," I knew they meant it.
So hats off to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for putting on an Advocacy Day that may make a huge difference in thousands of lives. And hats off to Washington State's politicians - I have a new appreciation for the work they're doing.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Obsession
My little one is obsessed with puppies these days. He pretends he's a puppy. He only chooses dog books at the library. He talks incessantly about whether he should be a dog breeder or a trainer when he grows up. His favorite place to go is not the the playground, but the dog park. He's thinking maybe he could have his own dog park when he's a breeder/trainer.
I was somewhat prepared for this, because my oldest son spent his preschool years memorizing the names of NASCAR drivers, learning who the sponsors were for each car (Mommy? What's Budweiser?), and matching the cars to their numbers on the racetrack I drew for him on brown craft paper.
I have to admit, the puppy obsession is more up my alley than NASCAR. I can appreciate oohing and aahing over the pictures of sweet little Spaniels and hounds in the books. I am more than happy to play "vet" with the stuffed animals that crowd my little guy's bed. And when he wants to wear his plush puppy costume out to the store, I don't argue. He'll soon outgrow this phase - too soon, I fear - and the next obsession is sure to be less innocent, less sweet.
In the meantime, it's puppy love.
I was somewhat prepared for this, because my oldest son spent his preschool years memorizing the names of NASCAR drivers, learning who the sponsors were for each car (Mommy? What's Budweiser?), and matching the cars to their numbers on the racetrack I drew for him on brown craft paper.
I have to admit, the puppy obsession is more up my alley than NASCAR. I can appreciate oohing and aahing over the pictures of sweet little Spaniels and hounds in the books. I am more than happy to play "vet" with the stuffed animals that crowd my little guy's bed. And when he wants to wear his plush puppy costume out to the store, I don't argue. He'll soon outgrow this phase - too soon, I fear - and the next obsession is sure to be less innocent, less sweet.
In the meantime, it's puppy love.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
So long, Tree Top Toys
My local toy store, Tree Top Toys, is closing its doors. The owners are retiring and moving to Costa Rica, so they've got happy days ahead. But I'm sad about the closure, for a few reasons.
First, for purely selfish reasons. I hate going to Toys R Us or Target to buy toys. There's too much (crappy plastic) stuff, they're too far away so I have to face traffic, and if for some reason I have my children with me we all get overwhelmed. It's not fun. Tree Top was right around the corner, had a nice selection of good quality toys for all ages and best of all they gift wrapped! For free!
Second, it's just more evidence of the larger trend of small independent businesses facing extinction. This is a real concern for me, as my husband owns an independent bike shop and it's his salary that puts food on our table, and the tables of his employees. When you spend your money there you aren't lining the pockets of big-time CEOs and corporate shareholders, you're supporting families in your neighborhood.
The experience is just not the same when you have to drive to the mall to shop. I like buying from my neighbors. I like running into people I know at the local bookstore or neighborhood pet supply shop. I like that I can conduct almost all of my business within a 3-mile radius. It's good for the community, it's good for the economy, it's good for the environment and it's good for me.
So next time you drive past a little local independent business on your way to Target or Wal-Mart, think about stopping in. It's something small you can do to keep your community strong.
First, for purely selfish reasons. I hate going to Toys R Us or Target to buy toys. There's too much (crappy plastic) stuff, they're too far away so I have to face traffic, and if for some reason I have my children with me we all get overwhelmed. It's not fun. Tree Top was right around the corner, had a nice selection of good quality toys for all ages and best of all they gift wrapped! For free!
Second, it's just more evidence of the larger trend of small independent businesses facing extinction. This is a real concern for me, as my husband owns an independent bike shop and it's his salary that puts food on our table, and the tables of his employees. When you spend your money there you aren't lining the pockets of big-time CEOs and corporate shareholders, you're supporting families in your neighborhood.
The experience is just not the same when you have to drive to the mall to shop. I like buying from my neighbors. I like running into people I know at the local bookstore or neighborhood pet supply shop. I like that I can conduct almost all of my business within a 3-mile radius. It's good for the community, it's good for the economy, it's good for the environment and it's good for me.
So next time you drive past a little local independent business on your way to Target or Wal-Mart, think about stopping in. It's something small you can do to keep your community strong.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sunny day at the dog park
I've been telling my brother and his girlfriend (newcomers to the Pacific Northwest) that just when you can't take another day of rain, the sun comes out and you're reminded how beautiful this corner of the country can be. You go out, and soak it up, and then you're ready to face another 3 months of gray skies and drizzle.
Sunday was that day. We woke up to dazzling sun and clear blue skies. I love that the mountains are more clear in the winter than in the summer, that you can see forever on these days. I swear the whole neighborhood was stepping out into the fresh air, blinking in the light as if we'd all been woken from a long sleep.
My family was no different. I talked the boys (including my husband) into skipping their Cub Scout meeting so we could take Beckett to the dog park. She's just six months old, so this would be her first dog park experience. After all those rainy days, Beckett needed to run as much as we did.
We ventured to Magnuson Park's off-leash area. I had no idea there was so much to it! There were big play areas covered with gravel, long paths, fenced areas just for small dogs, and best of all: a wide swath of lakefront for canine swimmers. Beckett thought she had died and gone to heaven. She kept looking up at me, as if to say "Really? I can run and play too?"
The boys were completely enamored as well. They were thrilled by all the different dogs, and kept pointing out their favorites. They were partial to the little ones - Yorkies, pugs (there were so many! who knew that pugs were so popular?) and a trio of beagles. I was interested in the way Beckett seemed to seek out other Golden Retrievers. Did she somehow know that they were related?
All in all it was an amazing day. By the time we got back to the car, Beckett was exhausted and filthy, as any happy dog ought to be on a sunny day. We couldn't coax her to jump into the car; instead she decided to lie down on pavement and take a little nap right there in the parking lot. A dog's life!
Sunday was that day. We woke up to dazzling sun and clear blue skies. I love that the mountains are more clear in the winter than in the summer, that you can see forever on these days. I swear the whole neighborhood was stepping out into the fresh air, blinking in the light as if we'd all been woken from a long sleep.
My family was no different. I talked the boys (including my husband) into skipping their Cub Scout meeting so we could take Beckett to the dog park. She's just six months old, so this would be her first dog park experience. After all those rainy days, Beckett needed to run as much as we did.
We ventured to Magnuson Park's off-leash area. I had no idea there was so much to it! There were big play areas covered with gravel, long paths, fenced areas just for small dogs, and best of all: a wide swath of lakefront for canine swimmers. Beckett thought she had died and gone to heaven. She kept looking up at me, as if to say "Really? I can run and play too?"
The boys were completely enamored as well. They were thrilled by all the different dogs, and kept pointing out their favorites. They were partial to the little ones - Yorkies, pugs (there were so many! who knew that pugs were so popular?) and a trio of beagles. I was interested in the way Beckett seemed to seek out other Golden Retrievers. Did she somehow know that they were related?
All in all it was an amazing day. By the time we got back to the car, Beckett was exhausted and filthy, as any happy dog ought to be on a sunny day. We couldn't coax her to jump into the car; instead she decided to lie down on pavement and take a little nap right there in the parking lot. A dog's life!
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