23 comments

• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Beatrice Kamperman

  Hi There Mayi, I have just started my business and this will be my first year.. I think my proudest acomplishment would be that I was able to sell my items in 2 stores and I did succesfully in them!
  
  I would not like to start selling online!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Jenn Hardie

  Mayi - this is a great opportunity. Thanks for doing such a generous giveaway! I'm going to start working on my entry right now. Merry Christmas!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Trish

  I state your name...Tricia Bertrand aka Trish! + valid e-mail:tdb626@bellsouth.net + a written response:
  
  Girl, you had me jumping out of my chair with the giveaway clip! LOL I am moving farther & farther out of the box with my jewelry business. Went from solely online pursuits to beginning to do craft shows. (Face to face is scary, but I'm pushing!) I am researching more and more face-face venues for my jewels. I am NOW confident in my jewelry! I KNOW it's beautiful & good, unique, quality handcrafted jewelry!! Again stretching, had to find that belief in my product.
  
  + why you feel ready to take things up a notch in 2012: Soooo now that I am armed with belief in my product + readiness to jump out of the box = pick me, pick me!! and help me push things to success in 2012!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Trish

  I just tweeted the giveaway! Score=bonus entry!!! =D (@jewelsbytrish)

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Marta Costa

  I just wanted to say that although I didn't finished all my homework Mayi told me to, one hour can make you reach the stars! :)
  
  Happy Holidays, Mayi!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Trish

  I promoted on my FB page too! Does that score another bonus entry? Pretty please!
  
  Yippee skippee!!! (http://www.facebook.com/jewelsbytrish to see promo for ya!) :)

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Angela

  I'd love to participate! This is such a generous offer. I'd love to have you as my mentor, but I won't waste your time, because I'm not ready yet. I haven't reached the point that I could call myself a crafty entrepreneur yet. I've been thinking a lot about this lately and... I think that I still haven't found "MY THING". Oh, well, maybe some other time...
  Have a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the Holidays with your family and loved ones and be happy and creative! xoxo

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Jennifer H

  YAY! I'm so excited about this. My mind is already working. lol
  
  I was wondering if you would accept an Animoto video? I would love to my story in pictures. :)

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Mayi Carles

  Jennifer: YES YES YES YES :) I can't wait to see it!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Mayi Carles

  Angela: Sweet friend. I think you don't give yourself enough credit for everything you do. You have come so so far! Just know that I can see it + you should be proud. Remember you will never feel "ready". :)
  Merry Christmas my friend!

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• Comment Link 23/12/2011 posted by Kustom Kissers

  Last January I set a goal for 2011 to leave my icky government job. It was making me unhappy and ironically unhealthy considering I was employed by a health department. So I got to work re-branding my personalized lip balm business - logo, website, social media, packaging, everything! - and learned as much as I could about taking the leap to self employment. Then, I DID IT! January 6, 2012 will be the last day I sit in traffic to do a job that does not warm my heart. I am thrilled to take Kustom Kissers full time. Thank you for the opportunity to learn first hand from an expert.

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• Comment Link 25/12/2011 posted by Tamara Epps

  I have to admit that like Angela I don't feel entirely ready yet - I haven't technically started my business yet, but I know that I'm ready to jump into 2012 and make it MY YEAR!!!!
  
  I have M.E. and since I finished university in May my health has deteriorated, making me doubt myself and my ability to succeed in this world.
  
  But I am refusing to give in. I can't physically work a traditional job (though sometimes I would like to) so have had to find another path. Blogs like this one have made me realise that I am capable of doing this. I have a choice: to sit at home slowly getting more and more depressed, or to try and do something and share what's inside me (if you can't guess, I'm choosing the second one!). I’m creating my own path by starting a creative business and I’m going to prove to the world that M.E. and depression WILL NOT conquer me.
  
  Honestly I don't know if you can help me due to the fact that I haven't even started, but I would love some guidance and expertise thrown my way so - pick me, pick ME, PICK ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

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• Comment Link 26/12/2011 posted by Tabassum

  I had to read the title of your vid a couple of times because I wasn't sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me!
  
  This is something that I totally need to make that leap to the next level in my creative biz. This was my first year with my company and I can't believe what I've done with it while working a full-time job. I wanted to take my company international and within the first few months I had landed a couple of blog features in places like ustrendy.com and papernstitch.com. But the biggest surprise was getting my collection on the Paris runway in Sept. for the Ethical Fashion Show and landing a pop-up store event in an exclusive store in the center of Madrid where they support emerging fashion designers.
  
  This was a *tough* year for me with so many hurdles this year from my health to the strain of my work commitments to trying to balance my life in general that it was so gratifying to follow through with a dream and acheiving it regardless of the ups and downs and to get validation from the top people in my industry. It makes me feel like I have something worth pursuing seriously.
  
  There are so many things that I have planned for 2012 and next year will be a critical one for me because I don't want to lose momentum because I've come so far and as the saying goes," You've got to hit the iron while it's hot." But I need a helping hand, a wise guide that can help me navigate through the rough waters ahead and to help me to hone in on the key things that will help establish my brand and that will help my brand become profitable because ideally I would like to dedicate myself to this full-time.
  
  So I'm crossing my fingers and toes and *hoping* that I'll be the lucky winner :)
  Thanks so much for this Mayi!

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• Comment Link 28/12/2011 posted by Jenn Hardie

  Jenn Hardie
  partiesbyhardie@aol.com
  
  My Proudest Accomplishments
  Oooh, let’s reminisce. I started my printable party business in 2009 and have had some accomplishments that left me giddy for days. Here’s a recap:
  •One of my printables was featured on a local news program. My name, on TV. I’m still pinching myself. You can watch it here if you so please: http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=71&sid=11838987
  •Being asked to create a printable for Operation Shower. Operation Shower is a non-profit organization that throws showers for moms-to-be whose hubbys are deployed. My hubby is active duty Air Force, so that project was close to my heart and one that I was immensely proud to be a part of. http://operationshower.org/2010thanks/
  •Finally, having my name mentioned on Amy Atlas’ blog. Amy Atlas is the queen of dessert tables and a pioneer in the party industry. Her work is ah-mozzing (like Penny from Happy Endings, love that show!). So anyhow, a customer of mine, the lovely Belle of “Styled by Belle”, used my Printable Train Collection for her son’s birthday party and it was shared on Amy Atlas’ blog. That’s like landing a gig on Martha Stewart in my world. My name…my designs…were featured on Amy Atlas. Granted, my name was all the way at the bottom, but Amy Atlas people! (sigh)
  http://blog.amyatlas.com/2011/11/last-train-to-aidansville-guest-dessert-feature/
  
  Kickin’ It Up a Notch, aw yeah!
  2012 is going to be an exciting year for my business. I’m going to start offering personalized products with my designs. I hope to reach people that like my style and are itching for cute kids products. I’m investing in some equipment for my business so that I can start offering these new products starting in January. My goal is to launch a new product every couple of months. There’s a lot of newness and unknown territory that I’m about to embark on, so winning your giveaway and gaining even a smidgen of your infinite wisdom would be ah-mozzing!

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• Comment Link 29/12/2011 posted by Jennifer H.

  Hi Mayi here is my story in pictures.
  http://miss-maggiesplace.com/heartmade-contest-entry/
  
  Hope you like it! I put my whole heart into it. :)
  I also posted the contest on my fb page. http://www.facebook.com/missmaggiesplace

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• Comment Link 29/12/2011 posted by Deanna

  Hi Mayi! Happy holidays to you!
  
  I am Deanna of Apples and Orange.
  
  I am proudest of the fact that in 2011 I have grown my small business from a wee little thing, worked with some AMAZING design clients and created some special products. I am also so proud of the creativity retreat I have co-planned with a great friend that will be happening in May (you might know Tania from Manusmade?). http://reigniteyourfire.com
  
  I am on track for growth and I am ready to notch it up in 2012. I am ready to quit my day job and be full-time self employed!
  
  What I’m working on: developing multiple income streams to help me grow (design clients, product development, creativity retreat organization), growing my online following (and some wonderful relationships have come out of that), working with new design clients, I am so READY!
  
  But. Sometimes I get stuck. My momentum falls flat and it’s really hard to recover. I do, but it frustrates me.

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• Comment Link 29/12/2011 posted by Melissa Quintero

  Hello Mayi
  
  wow, taking a moment to stop and think our acomplishments....
  
  I will send my entry , thanks for the opportunity !! mayi happy holidays

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• Comment Link 30/12/2011 posted by Norie Wah Day

  Hi Mayi,
  
  You are so inspiring - I love how creative you are and every friday I laugh out loud at the video messages. I have put my message into a small video clip which you can see here - hopefully...
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caQXM5L_9T8&feature=youtu.be

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• Comment Link 30/12/2011 posted by THERESE WARRICK

  My proudest accomplishments to date is the launching of my non-profit ministry, SISTERS ROAD TO FREEDOM, INC., while being the super, single mom to two children (a daughter in college and a son in elementary). This is a non-profit ministry where I provide encouragement and inspiration to women and teen mothers through workshops, classes, seminars, blogs, and one-on-one conversations.
  In June of this year (2011), I finally mustered the courage to speak out about the physical and emotional abuses and low self-esteem I suffered for years, and how I overcame them through divine intervention when I moved to Lexington, Kentucky from the country of Belize.
  
  I believe I need to push this ministry to the next level because I have encountered and still am encountering so many women that have been abused and are being abused. Women who have long been suffering from low self esteem and still do today, especially those women in the churches and places of worship. These women are too ashamed to speak out about the abuse for fear of being labeled and/or called a liar by clergy, lay members and even friends and family. Abuse in places of worship is prevalent, and I believe I need to get bolder in my community activities to bring this issue and its effect on Christian women to the forefront so it could be addressed head-on.

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• Comment Link 30/12/2011 posted by April Meadows

  April Meadows aprilmeadows@yahoo.com / www.StickmenPottery.com / http://stickmenpottery.wordpress.com/ www.facebook.com/stickmenpottery
  
  I started dabbling in pottery last winter. In the beginning I only created mugs for one non-profit organization in order to help them out and to make a little extra money. Loving the creativity I found, I opened an etsy shop in May, www.StickmenPottery.com. My first sale wasn’t until August 30th. I created a facebook page, www.facebook.com/stickmenpottery and soon after started my blog, http://stickmenpottery.wordpress.com/. I have attended a couple of craft fairs and even held a fund raiser for a local church.
  
  I have several packets for business plans, budgets and stuff on how to get organized. I have started some; others just sit on top of my cabinet and stare back at me. I need direction. I need someone to look at what I’m doing, how I’m doing it and tell me how I can do it better and be more productive.
  
  My first Christmas has been profitable, creatively rewarding and a true learning experience. I am proud to say that I did all this while maintaining a full time job, where I commute 2 hours a day. However, I would like to take 2012 to the next level. I would like to make Stickmen Pottery profitable enough that I can rely on it as my sole income. As a single mother of 2 amazing young men, I have always worked hard at 2 and sometimes 3 jobs in order to “get by.” Mayi, I want to be a mother full time. Please pick me.
  
  (bonus points: I tweeted, facebooked, pinterested and I mentioned this in my blog)

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• Comment Link 30/12/2011 posted by Linda Sparkman

  I have a few proud moments to share--it's hard to pick because I have so many. My business is to cultivate creativity in others through the arts. One precious recipient of my services told me (several times) she thanked God every day for the Needle-art group I organized and facilitate at our local library. Another student, a lady, in her seventies, is fulfilling a life-long dream of learning to play the piano. A young student-artist is getting recognition due to my encouragement. Another student, a young man, received a full musical scholarship, a young lady (student) won a piano competition. An original pattern of mine was published in Better Homes and Gardens. I am ready to take things up a notch because the biological clock is chasing me! AND...I have such far-reaching goals. I need help wrangling them into a practical plan-of-action. (Plus, I recently finished my Business Degree, and I want something BIG to show for it!)

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• Comment Link 30/12/2011 posted by Melissa

  Hello Mayi
  
  This is mi video for the contest.
  
  I am posting the you tube link,
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avvFZ6h8kKs&feature=g-upl&context=G2af72c9AUAAAAAAAAAA
  
  Hope you enjoyed !!! yey

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• Comment Link 31/12/2011 posted by Alex Kam

  Alex Kam
  kyonpichi@gmail.com
  
  Accomplishments? Oh dear, I'm not really sure if I have any accomplishments that is worth mentioning. Being an international seller, online is pretty much the only place I sell my wares. Perhaps moments that I am proud of while running my business? Late last month, one of my necklaces hit the Etsy front page, and not only was it sold, it sold twice! Good thing I was around at that time to renew it. Not only that, I also had about 4 custom orders resulted from that 1 hour exposure alone. It was one of the happiest moments running my little biz and I slept that night with a big smile on my face. :)
  
  I'm always ready to take things up a notch, I have so many ideas bursting in my head! New collections, lines and maybe even starting a second shop. But I just have problems trying to get my work out there. As I mentioned previously, I did not have any worthwhile accomplishments, was never really mentioned on big blogs, no press features, interviews etc. But I can feel it, 2012 is going to be the year for me! If things keep on improving and I continue to put more effort into it, maybe this year I can finally quit my day job! Maybe, just maybe... a girl can dream right? :)

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