It has come to my attention that a number of you are struggling to start new businesses. First of all, let me assure you: this is a good time to start a new business. Forget government deficits and Obamanomics. People are still people. Christmas is still Christmas. Women still love jewelry. Stop worrying and start your business!

I am going to post some tips, I'll try to post 1 a week, which I hope will be an encouragement to you. When you read this tip, why not post your thoughts? I may spur a thought in your mind that is just what another small business needs to hear. You represent jewelry lovers and business women across the United States, so you are not in direct competition with one another. Instead, you are in an excellent position to support one another. 

So let's begin. My first tip is a simple one: Make every mile pay for itself. Right now, you can earn $.50 for every business mile. That means every trip to Hobby Lobby, every show you attend, every place where you show your jewelry is tax deductible. That's huge when you live out in the boondocks! It's big no matter where you live. You can keep a log, or better yet, track your receipts. At the end of the year I create 12 tables. Each column represents a place I frequently do business. Each line is a day of the month. I check off each place I've been. I use google maps to figure mileage. The furthest distance is the one I use. I count up the tallies, multiply each by the milage, and start counting the dollars off my taxes. A $2.00 purchase of ribbon from Hobby Lobby is worth $20 off my taxes. Fabulous, isn't it? If I show product to a tanning salon, I write it in my calendar, so I'll remember to add it in at the bottom of the table. Remember, you don't have to sell anything...just show it, offer it, and no sale is still worth some money to you. What's better than that? It's as easy as pie and 0 calories.

New product for this fall: key beads, beaded bangles, and steam punk kits. I'll try to post product in the next day or two. I look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and to your success!