Mom and Pop businesses are found in small and large communities.  These businesses are owned and operated by individuals that live in and contribute to your community and could even be your neighbours.

Yes, the big box retailers and the franchises also contribute to your community, however, the owners and management of these businesses do not know the community on a personal basis. Decisions are made that can affect the communities in a positive and negative way. Many of the operating decisions are made based on finances and not how the decision would impact the community.

Think about a small rural community which may not have a lot of businesses.  However there will usually be a store, a gas station and perhaps a post-office.  It’s a meeting place where many of the locals will visit to chat with their neighbours.

Think about the personal customer service you will receive.  You will be greeted by your first name, they could inquire about your family and /or any events that have impacted you.  These businesses care about their customers and get to know them personally.

When you become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, you are now operating your own small business.

Here are three similarities between the Mom and Pop business and your Stampin’ Up! business:

• You own your business and you make decisions for your business.  These could be financial or operational decisions.
• Your customers could be your neighbours.  You know them by name, you usually know about their families and events that happen around them.
• You can contribute to the community by participating in fundraisers for community causes.  You could even host a fundraiser for an organization that you are passionate about.

Are you interested in becoming a business owner?  Contact me through email or visit Join The Fun. Check out this opportunity to become part of the Mom and Pop business community.

The post Mom and Pop Businesses appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Today, I want to share with you why I love what I do and do what I love!

Six years ago, I signed up with Stampin’ Up! to become a Demonstrator and I am so glad I did. When I first signed up, yes, it was to get my products at a discount and just dabble in making greeting cards, creating scrapbook pages and 3-D items such as gift boxes, quilted hangers for photos, etc.  However as I neared retirement from 9-5 job, I started to contemplate what my future would look like, and I envisioned a business.

One of my passions was creating with any type of medium, and when I was introduced to rubber stamping to create beautiful cards and scrapbook pages, I was definitely hooked.  In days past, I had even dreamed about what it would be like to be able to just create.  Now, I had never considered myself to be an artist.

So here I am, loving what I do.

I would like to share 3 reasons why I love what I do:

1. I am able to share my passion for paper crafting and teach others how they can become a paper crafter.  Sharing my knowledge about rubber stamping, techniques and tips that you can try and carry with you forever  are gifts that I can give to others.
2. I am able to devote as much time as I want to running my business. While I do have set office hours, I am able to decide when and where those office hours will take place.  Depending upon what I have scheduled on my “TO DO” list, the hours can fluctuate from day to day.  Who is able to do that in a 9-5 job?
3. This reason is probably my biggest reason. One of my biggest fears about retirement was not to have that day-to-day contact with people. Working on establishing my business has allowed me to develop and maintain relationships that may not have been possible if not for my business.

Do any of these 3 reasons of why I love what I do resonate with you?  If so, than there is a solid business opportunity for you during SALE-A-BRATION.

During Sale-a-Bration, you can become a Stampin’ Up!demonstrator for $125.00.  You choose $155 worth of product and because it’s Sale-a-Bration time, you can choose $40 more in product.  You can get started in your business with $195 in product for $125.00.  Plus there is no tax on the kit and it ships for free.

There is only one caveat.  To become part of my downline, you are required to live in Canada.

If you would like to become a part of the Stampin’ Up! family, then email me and we can have a discussion.  In the meantime, check out the information on my Demonstrator Website. 

Check out the Flexibility for Small Business Owners Post for additional information.

You too, will be able to give reasons as to “Why I Love What I Do”.

The post Why I Love What I Do! and Do What I Love! You Can Too appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

To be your own boss could be one of the most important thing you do for yourself. If you have that dream, then make it a reality.  Yes, to be your own boss may seem over whelming in the beginning, however as you grow in your business, you will find the satisfactions in your daily life start to form.

In this post I will share 5 reasons to be your own boss,

So let’s get started.

1. You will be in charge of your own income.  While that may be scary at first, you need to remember that the sky is the limit.  Yes, you may not have as much income as you did working a 9-5 job, but you are in control. No one can put a ceiling on your income potential.
2. You are in control of every aspect of your business.  You make the decisions about your business and there is no one to tell you what to do.  Of course there could be downsides of this as you must be disciplined so that you can achieve your goals.
3. You are the one responsible for your own success.  There is no passing the buck here.  You will need to show up every day to “take care of business”.
4. You can set your own hours.  For some, this is  a huge goal for someone that wants to be their own boss.  You may only want to work your business 2 or 3 days a week, or perhaps you need some time off, you can take it.  Maybe you are still working your 9 – 5 job and you can only devote so many hours a week to your business.  Whatever your life looks like, you are in control of your business.
5. You will be challenged.  When you work a regular job, often you will find the work not to be challenging and pushing your limits.  In order to grow as a person, you need to be challenged.  Owning a business will challenge you on may fronts during start up and as you grow your business.  However,that is where the satisfaction comes from.

Remember “you can do it.”

As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I live the 5 reasons for owning my business.  If you have the desire to be your own boss and own a business, then I can help you out.

Read about becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and joining my team by going HERE.  I am here to help you become successful. If you have questions about becoming a demonstrator email me and I will answer your questions.

All I can say is that I am so glad that I got to be my own boss.

The post Be Your Own Boss -Start A Business and Satisfy Your Inner Desires appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Flexibility for small business owners is the great thing about owning your own business.  Why do I say that?

Do you work outside the home for a corporation or a small business?  Do you have the flexibility to take time off when you need it? What happens when your children are sick, or you have to be elderly parents, or you have appointments for the dentist or doctor?

Usually each business has their own policies regarding time-off for these types of events in our lives.  To have the flexibility to be able to care for our loved ones or ourselves is something that you can have when your own your own business.

I have that flexibility and you can too  – flexibility for small business – it’s called freedom.

I have the luxury of being able to come and go as I please while devoting as much time as I want to my business.  Of course it is not all fun and games.  You are in business to make money and you have to work at it.  But with the work comes building friendships and relationships, teaching and inspiring others to creativity.

So how can you have the flexibility for small business?  I’m so glad you asked.

Right now you can become a member of my team with only a small investment. And, you will also receive 2 additional stamps of your choice.

I will be here to guide and mentor you along the way.

So what do I do now?  Click on the JOIN THE FUN LINK for more information.

You will receive a completely customizable kit – for $125.00 which contains $155.00 of product plus a Business Pack valued at $70.00.  And yes, the products in your kit are all current.

Of course, if you have questions, you can always contact me by EMAIL.

Now you know how to obtain flexibility for a small business owner.  What are you waiting for?  The possibilities are endless. JOIN THE FUN!

The post Flexibility For Small Business Owners – Nice!! appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Have you ever considered operating a small business?  I have an opportunity for you!

As you know or may not know, Sale-a-Bration is well underway offering you free product.  This program is also offering you a way to become your own boss and provide extra income to you and your family.

In previous posts, I have talked about the ‘Shop’ aspect of SAB, today it’s the ‘Join’ aspect.

Do any of these sentences sound familiar to you?

• I sure would like to take my family on a nice vacation, but there just isn’t any room in the budget.
• I love to paper craft and I would love to share my knowledge.
• I am a stay-at-home Mom and I really need some adult conversation.
• I am retired and I would like to do something with my extra time.
• I work outside the home right now, and would love to be my own boss.

Well, I have a way that you could fulfill those dilemmas.

During SAB, Stampin’ Up! is offering the business opportunity to become a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator.

You can join Stamp’Up! for $125.00 and receive the starter kit with products valued at $155.00.  Plus during SAB you get to choose between two FREE product options.

Option 1

Choose a free project kits from the 2015 Occasions catalogue .  These kits are the perfect way to get started as a demonstrator – lots of fun with minimal preparation.

Here are the kits.  Depending upon which kits you decide to add to your kits, you could receive up to an additional $62.00 in products.

Hello Life Project Kit – 137949

Price: $30.95

Hooray It’s Your Day Card Kit – 139166

Price: $30.95

Perpetual Birthday Calendar Project Kit – 137950

Price: $19.95

So You Project Kit – 137951

Price: $24.50

Build A Bouquet Project Kit – 137952

Price: $30.95

Supply List

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Option 2

Choose any 2 Sale-a-Bration Items.  It’s the perfect chance to get the products that you wanted anyway.

This is one of the perks about running your own small business.  You can decide how to make your business function for you.

Check out this link to see a video regarding the benefits of becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator JOIN NOW

Of course, I am here to answer any of your questions and help get you started.

Just EMAIL ME

Get started today on your own Small Business!

The post Small Business Opportunity with Sale-a-Bration appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Family comes in different makes and sizes and today, I want to share a bit about my Stampin’ Up! family.

My uplines, my sideslines and my downlines in my life have become my friends and I consider them to be my extended family.  Where would I be without them?  They are there to support me and my business, they are there to chat and to share good times.  SOme live in the same city as I do and some don’t.  For the ones here, I see them often to share latest techniques, get one on one support and for those that don’t live here, they are only a phone call away or it’s often a Facebook message away.

This year I celebrate my 4th Anniversary as a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and I received a card from my fellow demonstrators.

I don’t know who created the card I received but I was very honoured and thankful to have received the recognition.  Here is the card that I received.

This card uses the stamp sets Flower Shop and Flowering Flourishes which I love and the colours are so bright and cheery.  The stamp sets are in the new 2014/15 Annual Catalogue but unfortunately the Adorning Accents Edgelits are being discontinued.

You can still purchase the Adorning Accents Edgelits if you do it before June 6th when the retired list goes away.

Do want to be a part of a family which supports and encourages you?  You can become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator by signing up today.

There are 2 ways to do this…

For the next month, new recruits that join Stampin’ Up! can do so at the traditional Starter Kit priced at $125 ($155 product value), or for a limited time, a reduced priced Starter Kit at the low price of $60 ($65 product value.)  However, to take advantage of this promotion you will have to sign up as a demonstrator before June 30th.

During this offer, the special $60 starter kit will also be accompanied by $65 in free products; the regular $125 starter kit is also still available.

Guess what else you can receive…

• Receive free convention registration!
• A Free paper-pumpkin kit will also be included in the starter kit.
• Get two FREE months of Demonstrator Business Web Services (DBWS) if they sign up for the DBWS within their first 21 days.
• All starter kit orders must be finalized by June 30, 2014

Do you have questions?  Email me with those questions and I will do my best to answer

or

if you are ready to do it, and complete the Independent Demonstrator Agreement (IDA)

Happy Stamping

The post Family – It’s the Little Things that Count appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Loving my Stampin’ Up! business is an ongoing thing.  Why am I so passionate about it? There are many reasons, with the main one being the people that I meet along the way.

Sometimes it’s just happenstance, sometimes it’s planned and sometimes it’s an unexpected pleasure.

For instance, I was introduced to some stampers at my Christmas Card Class, in turn, these stampers introduced me to other stampers at the Birthday Card class.  My circle expanded exponentially and because I love to be around people and share my passion for my Stampin’ Up! business.

Here is a picture of the stampers that I attended my Birthday class.  Everyone is busy creating, sharing and having fun.

Here are a couple of cards that new found friends created from their gifts.

You too can have the joy of running your own business and meeting new people that will become more than just acquaintances.

How, you ask?

Currently in conjunction with Sale-a-Bration, Stampin Up has an awesome business opportunity for you.  Join the Stampin’ Up family for $125 and there is more…you get $190 worth of products instead of the normal $155 worth of products.  Plus, you receive 20% discount on product order.

This offer ends the same day as Sale-a-Bration ends, March 31, 2014.

Don’t delay.  Go over to this LINK and watch the videos and read the information and then JOIN my team.  Yeah!!!

If you have questions, you can always contact me by email at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

I will get back to you with the answers.

Happy Stamping

The post Loving My Stampin’ Up! Business appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

My business is a gift for various reasons.  However, I would say the biggest gift of all is the people that I have met over the years.  These people come from various places. 

1. My customers that I have been so fortunate to come to my clubs, classes and other events
2. My up-line who introduced me to a whole other world…the world of creativity, of having fun and creating a business.
3. My side-line who are there to support me and are always willing to lend a helping hand, for instance,  product that I have run out of for a class.
4. My peers that I have met belonging to the Business Stampers Coaching Group led by John Sanpietro.
5. My coach, John Sanpietro, who provides many learning opportunities and makes every effort to help you have a successful business.  (and yes, you need to put his words into action
   
6. Visitors to my Blog who have left kind comments

I have the opportunity to be creative and go to my happy place…the stamping place.  Although sometimes I have to stop and clean up.  You know that big workspace you have and now it has become 12″x12″ working space, never mind that fact that I can’t find anything once a put it down.

So, yes my business is a gift.  There are more reasons why I consider it to be a gift however, these are my top 6.

It is Christmas week, so I am going to leave with a very big thank you to all those that have helped make my business a gift.

 Happy Stamping

The post My Business is a Gift appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

Be informed of all things paper and sign up for our email updates and it is so easy to do.

When you visited the Simply Said with Karen blog, you may have seen a pop-up form float past your eyes.  You can fill out this form with your name and email address and click submit or you can complete the form to the right side of my blog.  Either way, you will receive an email asking you to confirm that you have signed up.  This is a way to protect your privacy and not have everyone just signing up your name to an email list.

 So what do you get when you sign up for the Simply Said with Karen email list?

When you initially sign up,

• you will receive a free gift
• lastest Simply Said with Karen Newsletter.

Ongoing communication will be sent to you periodically

• monthly Simply Said with Karen Newsletter with projects, cards, tips, techniques and questions and answers
• a mid-month communication only if there is something important to tell you
• periodically, you will receive a free gift
• current Stampin’ Up! promotions
• and so much more.

So don’t delay.

Within the next month, we will start the 12 Weeks of Christmas newsletter and we don’t want you to miss out on any episodes because we will not be able to send the ones you missed if you don’t get in at the beginning.

Now, Go Sign Up for our Email Updates then Check Out Our Face Book Page and give us a like

www.facebook.com/simplysaidwithkaren

Happy Stamping

The post Sign Up for Our Email Updates appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.

A home based craft business can provide you with many pluses in your life.  The plus for me is my business gives me the freedom in my everyday life.

Who knows that I am still sitting in my PJs as I phone customers, place orders or call on the phone….I don’t think there is a phone yet that can show you talking on the phone.

But seriously, there are reasons for running your own business.

• Setting up your own way of doing business – in home workshops, on-line classes and clubs
• Putting the funds into your own pocket- supplementing your income
  
• Allowing you to be a Stay At Home Mom and having those much needed contacts with the outside world.
• Opportunities to earn incentive trips
• First notification and glances at new catalogues and then there are the pre-orders
• Fueling your inspiration and sharing with others
• Meeting and building relationships with new people

Contact me to learn more about the Stampin” Up! business opportunity.  I will answer your questions and make it easy for you. 

Contact me at karen@simplysaidwithkaren.com

Visit this page and watch the video, find out the benefits and how you can further your career

JOIN THE FUN

Happy Stamping

The post Home Based Craft Business for Women appeared first on Simply Said With Karen.