Ok so there is good news and bad news! The bad news is that I can't do Trends & Tips Monthly - it's just too much. If I didn't have a full time job, own WNA and two gift basket companies then you'd be on but I just can't. So, even though I feel bad, I do have some good news.
Last month, I met with my IT team and they are nearly done with our Online Trends & Tips Magazine. It's a LIVE magazine meaning that data is constantly rotating, moving and groovin' so you can read articles, get the latest updates, interact with information, view live video, recorded video and so much more! You know I'm a techie, right?
I know you'll be thrilled when you see it and although its not a monthly printed magazine, just think - you'll appreciate that quarterly printed magazine so much more!
More details to come.
...and, as always, we welcome contributors.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Woman in Business is a Role Model to Other Women
Meet Debbie Quintana CEO of Gourmet Gifts & The Spirit of Wellness
Debbie Quintana is a Wonder-Woman who knows she’s not a super-hero at all. She wants to be a visible example to women: that they, not some super-improved version of themselves, can live their passions, fully, generously – and profitably.
39 years old divorced and remarried; a mother, stepmother, and grandmother, Debbie holds down a full-time job at Cisco Systems, and she is an entrepreneur who’s living her passions. She is the founder/owner of two companies and two associations that express and promote the natural empowerment of women – even when they turn a profit.
Quintana is President and CEO of Gourmet Gifts & The Spirit of Wellness, companies that create unique, individualized gift baskets for both corporate and personal clients. She founded Gourmet Gifts eight years ago with her mother, turning an adored hobby (she began making gift baskets with her Mom when she was thirteen) into a profession. From Gourmet Gifts, sprang Spirit of Wellness, whose gift baskets are focused on self-care. Her customers range from large corporations who want to acknowledge events and employees, to individuals who are expressing sympathy, or ...read moreGift Basket Companies Give Back
The great news about the holidays is that community giving back goes up, the bad news is that it has a tendency to fizzle come January, despite the needs of the community needing help. When I launched the Women's Networking Alliance back in 2007, I asked that it be a requirement each year that we do a community project and not during the holiday but rather in a time when no so many people are engaged. As we go national in 2010, all chapters are required to do the same thing.
When I sat back and asked the question of the members and suppliers of The Gift Basket Association, the answers were astounding. I specifically asked if and how they give back and to my extreme delight, the responses were wonderful. I hope these short stories will inspire you to continue to give back - all year around.
Debbie
"Last summer my then 7 year old son and I were getting bogged down in the economic slump. All we seemed to be focusing on was what we couldn't do, where we couldn't go, etc. So we decided to start doing random acts of kindness. Giving our new umbrella to the homeless guy in the rain, donating the money for a needy scout to go to camp, etc. I am most proud of all the activities that summer because now my son (and his friends that would randomly be with us) all continue doing these things at any opportunity. They have learned that the size of the gift isn't what matters and that in giving the gift they aren't just helping someone else, but helping themselves to understand what life is really about." Lisa-Marie Begerow of Garden Gate Gifts in Florida
"I really think that being involved in your community is essential. I personally love living in Westerville Ohio and show it by volunteering or donating to special events. A community is built by it's people and their generosity to others.
Short Story I started a donation program where non-profit organizations can apply for a donation for their special event. The one thing that I WILL be doing once I can afford it is start a scholarship program for our local University." Lisa Bevan - My Gift Basket Ideas
"Our philosophy on giving is that the local non-profit organizations are just trying to make the lives of others better. We give to help the cycle. It is bigger than all of us.
Short Story We're proud of all the donations we do. We're especially very active with the arts community." Deb Condo, Gift Basket Junction
"I am involved in a group called Jump Start which helps give terminally ill, cancer patients and all other patients with serious forms of illness by giving them a little lift when they feel low. When you sign up you receive an email every week or so asking to give a card or gift to one of the patients on the list. You get a little background into their lives and you choose the one or ones you would like to Jump Start that week, its a difficult choice, believe me. I am sending gift baskets or cards or whatever I can to cheer these fantastic and courageous people! I am also donating a portion of my proceeds to this fabulous organization. Everyone should give back to community. Besides making you feel better just think what you are doing for someone else, that's the real love. " Hyde Street Gift Baskets
"My family believes in giving to the community. It started with my Mother and Father. My Mother is 87 and still coordinates the food pantry in her city. My husbands family also gave to the community. My husband and I continue to reach out in many different ways, to support our community. We hope to be a good role model for our children." Meryl Mixtacki, Bask In Gifts
When I sat back and asked the question of the members and suppliers of The Gift Basket Association, the answers were astounding. I specifically asked if and how they give back and to my extreme delight, the responses were wonderful. I hope these short stories will inspire you to continue to give back - all year around.
Debbie
"Last summer my then 7 year old son and I were getting bogged down in the economic slump. All we seemed to be focusing on was what we couldn't do, where we couldn't go, etc. So we decided to start doing random acts of kindness. Giving our new umbrella to the homeless guy in the rain, donating the money for a needy scout to go to camp, etc. I am most proud of all the activities that summer because now my son (and his friends that would randomly be with us) all continue doing these things at any opportunity. They have learned that the size of the gift isn't what matters and that in giving the gift they aren't just helping someone else, but helping themselves to understand what life is really about." Lisa-Marie Begerow of Garden Gate Gifts in Florida
"I really think that being involved in your community is essential. I personally love living in Westerville Ohio and show it by volunteering or donating to special events. A community is built by it's people and their generosity to others.
Short Story I started a donation program where non-profit organizations can apply for a donation for their special event. The one thing that I WILL be doing once I can afford it is start a scholarship program for our local University." Lisa Bevan - My Gift Basket Ideas
"Our philosophy on giving is that the local non-profit organizations are just trying to make the lives of others better. We give to help the cycle. It is bigger than all of us.
Short Story We're proud of all the donations we do. We're especially very active with the arts community." Deb Condo, Gift Basket Junction
"I am involved in a group called Jump Start which helps give terminally ill, cancer patients and all other patients with serious forms of illness by giving them a little lift when they feel low. When you sign up you receive an email every week or so asking to give a card or gift to one of the patients on the list. You get a little background into their lives and you choose the one or ones you would like to Jump Start that week, its a difficult choice, believe me. I am sending gift baskets or cards or whatever I can to cheer these fantastic and courageous people! I am also donating a portion of my proceeds to this fabulous organization. Everyone should give back to community. Besides making you feel better just think what you are doing for someone else, that's the real love. " Hyde Street Gift Baskets
"My family believes in giving to the community. It started with my Mother and Father. My Mother is 87 and still coordinates the food pantry in her city. My husbands family also gave to the community. My husband and I continue to reach out in many different ways, to support our community. We hope to be a good role model for our children." Meryl Mixtacki, Bask In Gifts
A common mistake
I just completed a set of consulting appointments and I felt like a broken record but I hope its helping. Actually I know its helping, I've had a lot of people already say so. It's a common mistake so I thought I'd share it with you and you can check and see if you're doing it, too. Ready?
Mistake #1 is not having a proper front web page including several quality photos that show your broad selection of themes and price ranges. Many companies only have 1 photo on the front and a lot of text. It's been my experience that you have about 15 seconds to keep the shopper and if they don't feel like they can find what they want quickly, they'll move on.
Make it easy for your customer to be comfortable, order quickly and above all, get what they want in the price range they want to pay.
It's just that simple. I'm here to help and would be more than happy to take 5 minutes to review your front page. Just ask.
Mistake #1 is not having a proper front web page including several quality photos that show your broad selection of themes and price ranges. Many companies only have 1 photo on the front and a lot of text. It's been my experience that you have about 15 seconds to keep the shopper and if they don't feel like they can find what they want quickly, they'll move on.
Make it easy for your customer to be comfortable, order quickly and above all, get what they want in the price range they want to pay.
It's just that simple. I'm here to help and would be more than happy to take 5 minutes to review your front page. Just ask.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tough questions, answered
Dear Debbie,
I wanted to ask you to comment on a few things and while I realize the questions I have are uncomfortable, I think we all want to hear your answers. I haven't ever seen you answer to your critics and I personally think its time that you do. Whether you like it or not, you are a public figure and like politicians you should respond to accusations.
Here are my specific questions.
1. What is your history with Joyce Reid? She seems to have a major issue with you. This morning she posted something in one of the discussion forums that she has "major concerns" over GBA and Trends and Tips.
2. James Hartier compared your magazine to a "expired candy bar at a dollar store" vs. Rave Reviews being Godiva. What's his issue and why would he insult you like that?
I am somewhat curious as to your response and hope you will answer publicly. I think its time that this gets brought to the surface. As a gift basket designer, reading this type of banter is uncomfortable. I can't even tell you my name for fear of being blasted by them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Whoever you are . . .(and I think I know who you are :))))
You're lucky that my publicist is on vacation. She wouldn't allow me to even read or respond to this but I think you're right. It's time for this to be surfaced. Maybe some good dialogue will get it all over with.
First things first, I've never spoke to, met or had any response to multiple correspondences sent to Joyce Reid. I was a customer of her Gift Basket Network and when it came to that, she was more than happy to respond to my emails. But, when I reached out to her to ask her to join our collaboration efforts for GBA, I never got a single response. Instead, she's been making up stories about me and accusing me of not having any credibility to everyone else, except to me. My last email to her was not a nice one, I'll tell you that - I quickly got tired of hearing the BS that was being spread about me. Its one thing if you talk to me and want to have an opinion, its another thing if you are just completely ignorant. I haven't a clue what her "major concerns" are because she's never brought them to me. And to be even more blunt and honest, who really cares? Having one person out of thousands criticize me without even knowing me is perfectly fine. In the broader scheme of things, it just doesn't matter. I actually find it comical. The best part is when she insinuated in one of her blogs that I was green slime. I actually printed the article and it sits on a shelf with mint jelly (get it - green slime!) above my desk. No joke. It motivates me to work harder and succeed even more.
As far as James, I just talked to him and he didn't mean it in the way you are interpreting.
Is that good enough? I sure hope so because look - it doesn't matter what they think. They don 't know me and if they took the time to know me, they'd really be in trouble because they would appreciate who I am, what I do and why I do it....and then what? Do you really think they'd issue a public apology? Heck no. I have a list of 8 people that have shown their true colors, are disrespectful and will never, ever be a part of any portion of my life. You just named one and no, I won't tell you the rest but I think you can figure it out.
How about the "good" people work together and focus on fixing the problems we as an industry have and work together. If all of the energies that are expended dealing with people like Joyce were put into positive things, we could really do something great. I appreciate all of you wanting to protect me but I'm a big girl and I can handle it. I'm better than all of that...now, let's go have some fun and make some money, OK!
Ok, I'm sure all of this will get me in trouble but I'm in a great mood today!
I wanted to ask you to comment on a few things and while I realize the questions I have are uncomfortable, I think we all want to hear your answers. I haven't ever seen you answer to your critics and I personally think its time that you do. Whether you like it or not, you are a public figure and like politicians you should respond to accusations.
Here are my specific questions.
1. What is your history with Joyce Reid? She seems to have a major issue with you. This morning she posted something in one of the discussion forums that she has "major concerns" over GBA and Trends and Tips.
2. James Hartier compared your magazine to a "expired candy bar at a dollar store" vs. Rave Reviews being Godiva. What's his issue and why would he insult you like that?
I am somewhat curious as to your response and hope you will answer publicly. I think its time that this gets brought to the surface. As a gift basket designer, reading this type of banter is uncomfortable. I can't even tell you my name for fear of being blasted by them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Whoever you are . . .(and I think I know who you are :))))
You're lucky that my publicist is on vacation. She wouldn't allow me to even read or respond to this but I think you're right. It's time for this to be surfaced. Maybe some good dialogue will get it all over with.
First things first, I've never spoke to, met or had any response to multiple correspondences sent to Joyce Reid. I was a customer of her Gift Basket Network and when it came to that, she was more than happy to respond to my emails. But, when I reached out to her to ask her to join our collaboration efforts for GBA, I never got a single response. Instead, she's been making up stories about me and accusing me of not having any credibility to everyone else, except to me. My last email to her was not a nice one, I'll tell you that - I quickly got tired of hearing the BS that was being spread about me. Its one thing if you talk to me and want to have an opinion, its another thing if you are just completely ignorant. I haven't a clue what her "major concerns" are because she's never brought them to me. And to be even more blunt and honest, who really cares? Having one person out of thousands criticize me without even knowing me is perfectly fine. In the broader scheme of things, it just doesn't matter. I actually find it comical. The best part is when she insinuated in one of her blogs that I was green slime. I actually printed the article and it sits on a shelf with mint jelly (get it - green slime!) above my desk. No joke. It motivates me to work harder and succeed even more.
As far as James, I just talked to him and he didn't mean it in the way you are interpreting.
Is that good enough? I sure hope so because look - it doesn't matter what they think. They don 't know me and if they took the time to know me, they'd really be in trouble because they would appreciate who I am, what I do and why I do it....and then what? Do you really think they'd issue a public apology? Heck no. I have a list of 8 people that have shown their true colors, are disrespectful and will never, ever be a part of any portion of my life. You just named one and no, I won't tell you the rest but I think you can figure it out.
How about the "good" people work together and focus on fixing the problems we as an industry have and work together. If all of the energies that are expended dealing with people like Joyce were put into positive things, we could really do something great. I appreciate all of you wanting to protect me but I'm a big girl and I can handle it. I'm better than all of that...now, let's go have some fun and make some money, OK!
Ok, I'm sure all of this will get me in trouble but I'm in a great mood today!
Another page in the gift basket industry has turned.
I learned today that the gift basket industry has suffered the loss of yet another resource, Rave Reviews Magazine. For those of you who are new to the industry, Cherie Reagor has been hosting conventions, a high quality magazine and training resources for many years - resources that I used when I started both of my gift basket companies. As Cherie moves on to her next endeavor, it's yet another page turning in the gift basket industry book. I thank her and her staff for bringing such quality resources to our industry for many years and wish her continued success.
It goes without saying that the gift basket industry needs quality and credible resources, which is why I created The Gift Basket Association back in April. I have been designing gift baskets for over 19 years and when I finally launched my first company back in 2001, it was one of the happiest days of my life. When I started hearing stories about people struggling not only with the economy, but with resources to help them, I decided that bringing the industry together into one common platform, was necessary. GBA was born and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
With the design and release of Trends & Tips Magazine back in August, we slowly have been able to bring a new set of resources, information and collaboration into the industry. And even more important, is that we've been able to do it in a cost effective manner - truly bringing together suppliers and gift basket professionals. I'm proud to say that we have already made a huge impact with the introduction of the Online Supplier Directory, a Holiday e-Catalog, FindYourGiftBasket.com, GBA Talk! discussion forum, Trends & Tips Magazine and in January, the release of Gateway, an online learning portal for gift basket professionals.
I want to reassure you that neither I, nor any part of my association, is going anywhere. We are dedicated to improving the industry and have many exciting adventures coming your way. I'll be at Pam & Tom Newell's National Gift Basket Convention in Ohio in July of 2010 and am looking forward to meeting as many suppliers and gift basket professionals I can. I'm even hosting a little get together!
I invite you to continue to be a part of The Gift Basket Association and if you're not a member, to join us. Whether you're a supplier or a gift basket professional, we are here to bring the industry together. Everyone is welcome, we have affordable membership, GBA Talk! is free for all members, you can buy one or an annual subscription of Trends & Tips Magazine and most important, we listen and are here to provide you with real resources. I have personally fielded over 250 calls since GBA was created and have the references and testimonials to prove it. I hope you know that I am genuine, experienced and despite the opinion of a few of my critics, credible.
I want to thank all of our supporters as I realize that the leadership in this industry hasn't always been as respectful and appropriate as it should be. I have a high regard and respect for people such as Mary Ann Jacobs, Pam Newell, Flora Brown and several others that have given me the support and opportunity. I thank the rest of my advisory board, Sarah Botchick of Pioneer Wholesale, Lisa Bevan of My Gift Basket Ideas, Derek Thielke of Northwoods Cheese and Cara Cohen of The Perfect Gift NY. Without your contributions, guidance and support, my job as the founder of The Gift Basket Association, FindYourGiftBasket.com and Trends & Tips Magazine, would have been much more difficult.
Best wishes to you all as we approach the end of another year and welcome new opportunities in 2010.
It goes without saying that the gift basket industry needs quality and credible resources, which is why I created The Gift Basket Association back in April. I have been designing gift baskets for over 19 years and when I finally launched my first company back in 2001, it was one of the happiest days of my life. When I started hearing stories about people struggling not only with the economy, but with resources to help them, I decided that bringing the industry together into one common platform, was necessary. GBA was born and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
With the design and release of Trends & Tips Magazine back in August, we slowly have been able to bring a new set of resources, information and collaboration into the industry. And even more important, is that we've been able to do it in a cost effective manner - truly bringing together suppliers and gift basket professionals. I'm proud to say that we have already made a huge impact with the introduction of the Online Supplier Directory, a Holiday e-Catalog, FindYourGiftBasket.com, GBA Talk! discussion forum, Trends & Tips Magazine and in January, the release of Gateway, an online learning portal for gift basket professionals.
I want to reassure you that neither I, nor any part of my association, is going anywhere. We are dedicated to improving the industry and have many exciting adventures coming your way. I'll be at Pam & Tom Newell's National Gift Basket Convention in Ohio in July of 2010 and am looking forward to meeting as many suppliers and gift basket professionals I can. I'm even hosting a little get together!
I invite you to continue to be a part of The Gift Basket Association and if you're not a member, to join us. Whether you're a supplier or a gift basket professional, we are here to bring the industry together. Everyone is welcome, we have affordable membership, GBA Talk! is free for all members, you can buy one or an annual subscription of Trends & Tips Magazine and most important, we listen and are here to provide you with real resources. I have personally fielded over 250 calls since GBA was created and have the references and testimonials to prove it. I hope you know that I am genuine, experienced and despite the opinion of a few of my critics, credible.
I want to thank all of our supporters as I realize that the leadership in this industry hasn't always been as respectful and appropriate as it should be. I have a high regard and respect for people such as Mary Ann Jacobs, Pam Newell, Flora Brown and several others that have given me the support and opportunity. I thank the rest of my advisory board, Sarah Botchick of Pioneer Wholesale, Lisa Bevan of My Gift Basket Ideas, Derek Thielke of Northwoods Cheese and Cara Cohen of The Perfect Gift NY. Without your contributions, guidance and support, my job as the founder of The Gift Basket Association, FindYourGiftBasket.com and Trends & Tips Magazine, would have been much more difficult.
Best wishes to you all as we approach the end of another year and welcome new opportunities in 2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
