Inauguration Sale!!

I am in the mood to celebrate! Change is coming and I strongly believe that this country will feel a shift...it won't be overnight, but pay attention because it will happen.

What am I doing to celebrate? I am having a sale at www.rainorshinekids.com. WooBee blankets $55, bibs $14 & burps $10. I also have $20 samples of the new 'b' blanket available. People are really enjoying these newest additions to the Rain or Shine Kids product lines. The 'b' blankets are modern, useful & have a recession loving price. Check it out!

Don't forget to watch the inauguration...history in the making.

CPSIA Testing - If the economy doesn't kill you...

For everyone who owns a children's company (or knows someone who does), please read this link below. Happy Panda's owner graciously shared her experience searching for testing prices. I felt really lucky to have stumbled upon her blog.

http://www.happypandababy.com/blog/2008/12/16/cpsia-testing-research-for-happy-panda/

And those of you who do not know about the CPSIA new testing regulations starting Feb. 9th 2009 on all products made for children 12 years and under, please read about it (even if your company doesn't qualify) and contact your representative to STOP the INSANITY! Yes, we are all for safe products for children but there needs regulations and processes that will not break small businesses. Check out this Fashion Incubator link for a more comprehensive overview of the new law.
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-requirements/

Also daddytypes.com has a recent post that's good.

Happy snow fall for all those in the Pacific NW...oh, and Vegas had snow today too. What's up with that?

WooBee Holiday Sale!!

I know they are a lot of wonderful sales out there, but the perfect gift for the baby/family on the go are WooBee all weather blankets, bibs & burps. Enjoy 20% off until Dec. 21st by entering the coupon code 'holiday20' at check out. Great time to stock up on your favorite shower gift too.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

Thankful during tough times

Even though the US can't seem to say it out loud we can all feel it...we are in a recession. I have been in contact with numerous companies that are all feeling this crunch. The number one problems for manufacturers, retailers are not buying products. They are running their inventory down to the bare necessities before reordering and they are not willing to take a risk on new products. They are sticking with their tried and true brands. It is not just little companies that are feeling the pain. Below is a list of stores that are all closing. Some of them took me by surprise.
http://community.babycenter.com/talk/a2724225/stores_closing

I have heard horror stories of big box retailers that have worked with companies on large orders & even large custom orders only to back out after production has already began. That is the kind of move that can bury a small company. Be weary out their folks. Contracts are also a very good thing.

Check out www.rainorshinekids.com for a look at our new B Blankets! While your there you will probably notice our new look (which I love), kind of modern nature. The WooBee part of the site is currently under construction, but when it gets done (which will be a while) it will be amazing!

Thanksgiving is coming. Even though times are tough there are numerous things I can be grateful for...big fat number 1 is all the ridiculous sales! Now even though this is at some of our expense I can still appreciate the screaming deals that are going on out there. Perfect of the holidays. Number 2, I am grateful that my husband gets to start his 401K plan now. If you have money to invest in the stock market now is a great time. It may go down a little more, but just think about how much it can go up! Amazing! Number 3, I am always grateful for my healthy children and our life. From first hand experience I have witnessed that just when you think things are really bad, they can always be worse. Those days are long gone, but I will never forget how to be grateful for everyday. Last but certainly not least - number 4...I am grateful for witnessing the presidential election because no matter what side of the political coin you are on there is no doubt that the inspiration around Obama is contagious. The significance of his win goes way beyond political parties. It speaks to how far we have come as a country, and just how much further we may be willing to go toward true equality for all people.

I wish you all an amazing holiday season. Do not forget to shop at www.rainorshinekids.com this holiday season!

Oh, China

Well, I have mentioned the new 'b' blanket coming next month from China. Since I can drive 15 minutes to my WooBee manufacturer the whole experience of working with a factory in China has been very enlightening. There are many challenges including quality control, shipping (duties, harmonization codes, ect), cultural challenges, and minimums. Not to mention the timing. I will need to place another PO before the first order is even shipped out.

I have recently found out that there is a very large percentage of my new product that has flaws in the fabric. They are only 1 or 2 small dots, but it is just enough for me not to be able to sell that product to retailers and my distributors. What does that means for shoppers on my website? There will be cheap 'b' blanket "samples" for sale on the site. Stay tuned for a smokin' deal on these very cool blankets.

Recession? I Prefer Recess

Last year when I was looking into my crystal ball, projecting the enormous growth I could almost taste, this wasn't exactly the financial environment I saw the world in. Though I am grateful for having a great product line that people feel is worth their hard earned money (gotta love your Rain or Shine Kids all-weather WooBee). I am also grateful for my international distributors in Singapore where despite the warm climate, families love Rain or Shine Kids products, and Japan is getting into their testing right now which is a lengthy and expensive process, but the market is ripe for cool baby gear/items and Rain or Shine Kids is getting fantastic response. I guess gratitude is pouring out of me because I am over the top grateful that my new Urban black WooBee is available and the new 'b' blankets will be here at the end of next month (hopefully) and they look fantastic! Here are some pictures of all (missing is the Squares 'b' blanket).

Bottom line, times are hard but when a company can experience growth during times like these you just know that the future is very bright, and Rain or Shine Kids future is gleaming. I wish the best of luck to all those companies, employees, and small businesses that are struggling. What goes down must come up so hang on!

Trade Show Post-Partum

Rain or Shine Kids had a good show at ABC in Vegas. I had enough room to actually display product in the BabyLegs booth, and I put as much marketing material with incentives for buyers together as I could justify. But every time I come home from a show I think about all these things that I could have done differently and what I wasted time on. What I need to remember is that it is really all about getting the leads. That is how you will increase your ROI (return on investment), following up with buyers interested in your products. Beat your companies name into their heads. They may not pick up your line the first or even second time they see it, but the more they are exposed to your brand the better chance you have.

I still haven't taken my suitcase upstairs with my extra clothes in it and I got room last Friday. I gotta do that tomorrow. I'll put it on my list.

Signed a distribution with a Japanese company that I am really excited to work with. Now for the testing process to start. Everything that is sold in Japan needs to go through quality control testing. It is expensive and over the top, but with our financial markets being a bit iffy I will focus my company on international sales and distribution. Go Japan! I think a WooBee blankets sells there for $130. Seriously.

Signed up with a New England rep group while at ABC. If you are in New England and want WooBee email John Giacobbe and Associates jsgtoy@aol.com. If they prove to as good as think they will it would make the entire Vegas trip.

Gotta go to bed...tomorrow is our 11th wedding anniversary. Unbelievable! It honestly seems like just yesterday we were just snowboarding on Mt. Hood without a care in the world - nope that was 13 years ago. Holy crap.