In with the new! I'm ready for a new logo. I want a fresh start for 2009. I'm debating about getting on a wait list with a super-fabulous designer and I'm not sure I can really wait until the new logo is revealed so in the meantime I had to update my old logo with new colors. What do you think? Any designers out there? How about you come up with a new logo for me and you get a free session if I decide to use it? Know anybody who is a designer and could use a session? Feel free to forward a link to my blog to all of your friends and family to spread the word. Here's some eye candy from a session with my son yesterday.
I am so, sooooo excited about all the new things I have planned for Bellini Portraits this year. I had such an amazing 2008 and I thank all my clients for all their continued support and of course my family who is a constant source of love and support. Our friends were up from NY the past few days which means I had a little model to play with! A quick shopping trip and I turned up with this adorable little coat & hat ensemble as well as the knitted dress. I have to tell you, it's so much more fun to shop for a 2 year old girl than a 2 year old boy (my son)! Boys stuff is so boring! Anyway, we headed out on our point and got some of these great snowy beach shots.
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January 5, 2009 - 10:16 am
Stephanie,
These pictures came out awesome. Everyone can’t believe how professional they are.
Greg
Business Name: AbbaDabba
Bags
How did
you come up with that name: When
my daughter Abby was born my son was 2 ½ years old. He started calling
her his “Little AbbaDabba”. It stuck and seemed like a fun name for a
business.
Do you
have a store front/website/etsy? I do have a website: www.AbbaDabbaBags.com
. However, it is brand new and
right now just links to my Etsy shop: http://AbbaDabbaBags.etsy.com
How long
have you been in business? I
officially started selling my bags to the public on Etsy in February
2008. I was selling them offline by word of mouth for a year prior to
that.
Please
explain a little bit about your product and how you developed the concept
behind it: I
sell handmade, high quality bags. I made my first one when my son was
born in 2004. I had four vinyl diaper bags but was not happy with any of
them. My mom had taught me how to sew when I was young so I decided to
make my own. I bought a pattern at the fabric store and spent a week
changing almost everything about the design. When I was done I had a
beautiful toile and pink bag that got compliments everywhere it went. My
Weekend Bags are the closest descendants of that first bag.
What makes your product/business so
unique? I
don’t use commercial patterns for my bags. I also don’t try to recreate
the new trendy bag shape. I design the bags that I like to carry and I
use the fabrics that I like to see. So far this has been a successful
plan. I think people like that my Weekend and Day bags are different from
a lot of other totes and bags you see on Etsy.
What is
the hardest part or have been some of your struggles starting your own
business? Balancing
family life and a business has been the biggest challenge by far.
Figuring out how to advertise and get my shop seen by my target audience is
second. I’m constantly working to improve the way I handle both challenges.
How many children do you have. What are
their ages? And ages when you started your business?
I have two children. My son is 4 and my daughter is 21 months. I
started the official business when they were 3 and 12 months old.
What are
some of the creative ways you have found to juggle being a woman, a mother, a
business owner, and a wife? The first thing that comes to mind is
giving up some sleep. I do most of my sewing during naptimes or after the
kids go to bed. I like to get up early in the morning before they are
awake and do my cutting for the day. It is much easier to get started
sewing if everything is cut and ready to go. I do take a couple nights
off every week to hang out with my husband of course. That is the best
part of having a flexible home-based business.
Who is
your biggest inspiration? My mom has
always been my biggest inspiration. She is a strong, amazing,
hard-working and talented woman.
Now for
some fun and easy questions….
Favorite
meal? I’d have to say lobster. Steamed,
boiled, stuffed, baked, grilled… you name it. I’m also a huge fan of
pizza.
Favorite
Dessert? This
one is easy. Apple pie with a nut-crumb topping. My grandma and mom
make it best!
Favorite
restaurant (can be anywhere)? The Blue Ginger in Wellesley, MA.
If you’ve never been, go! I could sit and eat their food and legendary
sauces for hours!
Favorite
piece of clothing or accessory? Seven
jeans. I dress the lighter ones down and the darker ones up. I can
wear them apple picking or out for drinks. You just can’t go wrong with a great
pair of jeans.
Favorite
vacation spot?
West Palm Beach, FL. I am not a huge traveler. I have left the
country a few times and I’ve really enjoyed San Francisco and Colorado, but we
recently returned to West Palm and I fell in love with it again. I highly
recommend The Breakers hotel. It is a vacation destination in itself!
Favorite
childhood memory? I grew up in NY but have
very fond memories of driving to Falmouth, MA with my mom and sisters when I
was young. The four of us would pack up the 2-door Ford Fiesta with bikes
on top and head to the Cape for a week’s vacation. It was always great to
see the ocean and enjoy the relaxing lifestyle that is summer on the Cape.
On any
given day, what makes you smile?
My kids. My husband. My husband playing with my kids. What
more is there?
When you
have free time (ha!) what would your ideal day entail? Reading
a book by the pool would be the best! It takes me months to get through a
book these days so that is a real luxury. A mani/pedi would be fun too.
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December 22, 2008 - 2:17 pm
I am LOVING those bags! I have a serious bag fettish! What a great advocate you are for all of these Momapreneurs, it’s a great series.
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February 16, 2009 - 4:09 pm
[…] stylist, Kerri Romano; stylist and makeup artist, Hannah Fisher; creator of Binky Bling and Monica Taylor of AbbaDabba Bags! I met Michelle Murphy, of Sealore Designs one late afternoon a few weeks ago […]
You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.
You know someone. I guarantee it.
I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – $1000 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or an album, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over…it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit towards a future session. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?
The rules:
You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-home does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
The nominee must reside in Massachusetts, southern NH or RI. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: stephanie@bellinipics.com.
The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve…get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season – and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.
**The see how the love has grown across the country and to find participating photographers in other states, please visit http://www.givingisawesome.com
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December 11, 2009 - 3:48 pm
Hi: I just sent in my nomination for a very deserving family.
Kerry~
Introducing Hannah Fisher, creator of “Binky Bling“!
Business Name: Bloojay
How did you come up with that name: Bloojay is a combination of my maiden name, Bloom, and my son’s name, Jason.
Do you have a store front/website/etsy? www.bloojayinc.com . You can also find Binky Bling in the following stores locally; Mulberry Road (Boston), Prima Donna (Boston), Boutique @ BSC (Boston), The Nutshell (Milton), Village Baby (Brookline), Bird by Bird (Cambridge), (Somerville), Pocket Full of Posies (Osterville).
How long have you been in business? 4 months
Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the
concept behind it: My business is making hand made pacifier clips called Binky Bling.” I came up with the concept because my son was always throwing his binky or dropping it making it impossible for me to find it if we were driving in the car and dirty and full of germs if he dropped it on the ground. By making the “binky bling” the pacifier is always close to him making my life as a mom a little bit easier.
What makes your product/business so unique? My product is unique because the pacifier is attached to ribbon by a snap closure unlike most velcro clips. This way little hands are not able to rip the binky off. The clips are also unique in that they come in over 40 different trendy patterns from skull prints to animal prints.
What is the hardest part or have been some of your struggles starting your own business? My biggest struggle with starting my own business has been marketing myself. Everyone who sees my clips loves them but it is more a matter of getting in the door. Also, my expertise is really in the creative aspect of making the clips, so doing everything else that is entailed in having your own business from the financial and book keeping side to the marketing side has become a learning experience for me along the way.
How many children do you have. What are their ages? And ages when you started your business? I have one son
who is 18 months, he was around 14 months when I started the business.
What are some of the creative ways you have found to juggle being a woman, a mother, a business owner, and a wife? I juggle being a woman, business owner mother and wife by trying to maintain a balance between all of them. When my son naps I make that nights dinner, when he goes to bed at night I work and somewhere in between playdates and chores I take some time for the gym and making dates with my husband.
Who is your biggest inspiration? My mother. She has taught me that it is possible to be a mother, and wife all while having your own business.
Now for some fun questions….
Favorite meal? I love Mexican food
Favorite Dessert? Cupcakes
Favorite restaurant (can be anywhere)? Barton G South Beach
Favorite piece of clothing or accessory? My gold flats
Favorite vacation spot? Aruba or pretty much any beach!
Favorite childhood memory? Playing at the beach
On any given day, what makes you smile? Looking at my son
When you have free time (ha!) what would your ideal day entail? Laying down and reading a book
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February 16, 2009 - 4:05 pm
[…] into the businesses of Lindsey Foley; personal stylist, Kerri Romano; stylist and makeup artist, Hannah Fisher; creator of Binky Bling and Monica Taylor of AbbaDabba Bags! I met Michelle Murphy, of Sealore […]
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May 23, 2009 - 5:37 am
I was just searching for about this when I found your blog post. I’m just visiting to say that I truly liked reading this post, it is really clear and well written. Are you thinking of posting more about this? It seems like there is more material here for later posts.
Eileen Broderick - Hey, Steph! I just had a new logo designed for myself. (I haven’t really started using it yet…altough it is on my splash page if you want to see it…) Anyhoo–I used a cool website called ’99designs.’ Super easy and very affordable. You just create a contest and name a prize amount. Then tons of designers submit designs and you just pay the one whose design you pick. You write a bit about what look you want, etc. and you give feedback to teh designers as the designs come in–you know–more of this, less of that, blah, blah. It’s pretty cool! I’ve known a few others who’ve used it and gotten great results, too.
Jen - Hi! Thanks to Sarah Syah I’ve been following your site–it’s gorgeous! I have a children’s line (clothing and baby accessories)called babycheeks and The Trendy Tot but sadly, I’m not sure if me (and others like me) will be in business after 2/10/09. Recently a law was passed called the CPSIA that requires the makers of all children’s products to have their products tested by an independent lab for lead and phlalates. It’s cost prohibitive for small and medium sized businesses so many will lose their businesses on 2/10. A bunch of us are fighting to have it changed. To learn more, visit my site and look under news and promotions 🙁 If things do change, I would love to be featured and maybe even have you shoot some of my items!