LAMC SHOP: Organization pt.1

♥ image credited to creativekismet blog ♥

If you didn't know, I am a reformed organizational freak. I used to be really OCD about having things painstakingly organized, labeled, and color coordinated. But eventually that kind of dedication to even the most minute details got old. So now, I've become the complete opposite. At one point I was even anti-organization. Now, any time I have to even *think* about getting organized, it becomes overwhelming. SIGH!

Now I'm on the road to regain my organizational skills and my business needs it ASAP. I need a game plan. I need to get really really really focused. So I'm starting from the bottom and working my way up.

I decided that the most important thing right now is coming up with and designing a focus for the company (i.e. logo, character mascot, general theme, etc.), getting supplies (desperately in need of clay, packaging/shipping materials, and general supplies.) and making products in bulk.

The first step I've taken is to buy a new camera. I firmly believe that the image quality and beauty of a picture can really add to the appeal of an item. When I am shopping online, if the pictures of the product suck, I am less likely to even look at the product. So I bit the bullet and bought her. I can't wait to learn how to use her and to take better pics. I am also going to make a Macro light box using this tutorial. I feel it will help me create a style and uniformity to my pictures which is definitely needed.

I also recently bought packaging materials for my charms and greeting cards.

For the rest of July and August, these are my business goals:

1. Come up with a permanent logo, business card, character mascot, and general theme for LAMC
   
2. Streamline greeting cards to fit theme
3. Pick 5 greeting cards to be sold in the shop and design matching envelopes
4. Have 3 sets (6 of each card and envelope) printed, cut and ready to be shipped
5. Make more kawaii style charms/Have 30 of each kind ready to be shipped
6. Come up with a plan for what 5 categories I want to have in the shop right now. (Currently greeting cards and charms. I think I want to include stickers, buttons, and possibly plushies or magnets)
7. Update shop with new items from 5 categories
8. ADVERTISE MORE
9. Clean up work space (OMG the room that I do all my work in is beyond unorganized. It needs help!)
   

I guess the reason I didn't do a lot of this stuff is because I never thought I'd succeed at this. (Ugh, my mentality sucks sometimes) I figured I'd just do a "made to order" kind of deal and that would be that. But what I realize now is the lack of some of these goals is causing my lack of success and I know if I get organized my sales will take off.

So for right now I think that's a fair amount of goals. I know that I may not get to all of them by September but I want to have everything laid out so I can just go down the list and check it off as it gets done. I really wish I didn't have to work full-time...I'd get so much more done that way...but hopefully I will get to a point where my online business will enable me to work part-time. That is an overall goal. Working @ the doggie daycare FT is really draining mentally and physically...especially since my good friend left recently. I think if I could work PT, it would alleviate a lot of the problems. One can dream, right? Anyway, I need to be out getting more clay right now. I hope there's a sale *fingers crossed*