Pink Loves Brown

3…2…1…

We leave tomorrow for the National Stationery Show!

I know I’ve been quiet over here at the blog… I’ve just been incredibly busy, preparing for the show. I’m so excited!

NSS Booth Sign

I’m planning on talking shop when I get back. More and more people have been writing to ask questions about starting and running a business, and I’m happy to help in any way I can. Are there any questions you’ve been wanting to ask? Leave a comment and I’ll try to incorporate the answers into an upcoming series of business posts!

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  • Silvia
    May 15, 2008 at 6:37 am

    I wish good luck for the Show and I can understand perfectly how much you are busy and nervous right now :-D
    Everything will be perfect!
    Kiss
    Silvia

  • Brie
    May 15, 2008 at 6:40 am

    Can’t wait to hear all about it! Good luck at the show, you’ve worked hard… I know it will be great for you :)

  • Julie
    May 15, 2008 at 6:57 am

    Good luck Nicole! Safe travels. We leave Fri for NYC and will be sure to stop by your booth!

  • Laurie
    May 15, 2008 at 7:19 am

    Best of luck at the show, and enjoy!

    I’d be interested to read how you handle the accounting side of your business. Do you use a specific program, etc.

  • Casey
    May 15, 2008 at 7:39 am

    I too would be interested in the accounting side, and production–where do you get your items manufactured? do you do all your products yourself? do you have to copyright every item, or just your company as a whole? So many questions… thanks, and i can not wait to see pics from the show!

  • molly
    May 15, 2008 at 7:49 am

    See you in New York, Nicole. Can’t wait to finally meet you!

  • Nicole
    May 15, 2008 at 8:14 am

    Good luck at NSS – please take lots and lots of pictures… I’d love to see what your booth starts out like (blank box) & how you transform it!

    As far as business questions… so many! I’d love to know how you made the jump to full-time business owner. Also, do you create everything at home, or have you (as you’ve grown) found the need to outsource some of your production? Can’t wait to hear more about your story!

  • Caitlin
    May 15, 2008 at 10:15 am

    Good luck at NSS, Nicole! I’m sure all of your hard-work and dedication will pay off!

    I have soooo many business questions to ask you! Here are some that are on my long laundry list:

    1. How did you decide to make the switch from working a 9-5 to running your own business?

    2. Did you incorporate/trademark/copright Pink Loves Brown or did you get a DBA?

    3. Do you handle the financial side of your business or do you have an accountant?

    4. Is it difficult filing taxes?

    5. How do you get your work featured in magazines? Does the magazine contact you or do you submit your work to the magazine in hopes that they’ll feature you?

    6. Did you take out a loan or open a business specific credit card to get everything you needed (a good stock of supplies, packaging/shipping materials, cutting materials etc.) to get your business up in running?

    7. What do you do if someone copies your work?

    I can’t wait for your upcoming business posts! :D

  • Katie
    May 15, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Best of luck at the show, Nicole!

  • Liz
    May 15, 2008 at 11:27 am

    Best of luck! You’ll knock them dead!

  • Jen
    May 15, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Hi Nicole, I hope the show goes well. I hope to go myself sometime but for now, I will have to live vicariously through you.

    I am glad you have agreed to answer some business questions for all of us who are starting out. Like other people, I have questions about your production process. How do you take a design and create product?

    And the marketing? I am wondering how you’ve been able to get your name out there.

    Best of luck,
    Jen

  • Jules
    May 15, 2008 at 12:26 pm

    You’re going to do great, I have no doubt. Knock ’em dead!

  • Michelle
    May 15, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    You’ll do great! Lots of luck and have FUN!

  • Casey
    May 15, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    i commented earlier, but i also want to know what Caitlin and Jen wrote you too… those are good questions! Thanks for sharing your experiences…

  • pve design
    May 16, 2008 at 7:19 am

    Wishing you all the best at the show! Just a few questions?
    1. Monetary income from blogging?
    2. Best part of owning your own business?
    3. Worst part?
    4. Accounting? DIY or Accountant?
    5. Goals for the future and how do you track your goals?
    thanks,
    Patricia

  • Valérie
    May 16, 2008 at 7:42 am

    Bonne chance Nicole! I can’t wait to see pics of your booth and to know how it went!

  • Beth
    May 16, 2008 at 8:06 am

    Hope you’re having fun at the stationary show. I’ll echo the crowd about my excitement for your business Q&A. You inspire so many people – thanks for being willing to share about your business!

  • patricia
    May 16, 2008 at 9:20 am

    Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great!

  • Brianna
    May 16, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Hi Nicole! I have been a fan of your work and an avid reader of your blog for a while now! I too, am an aspiring entrepreneur and look forward to some shop talk. I am most interested to know…

  • Brianna
    May 16, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    whoops, hit submit too soon…

    I am most interested to know about:
    1) Your production process…i.e. How do you go about finding a company to produce your materials for both your products as well as your beautiful packaging?
    2) What design programs do you use and why?
    3) What would you say is a reasonable investment of dollars up front to get a small business started such as yours?

    Thank you and I wish you much success at NSS!

  • Diana @ Please Sir
    May 16, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    Sounds wonderful – good luck!

  • Jolene
    May 16, 2008 at 2:35 pm

    Good luck at your show!

    I am eagerly anticipating some business questions!

    -I’d really love to know how you decided what route to take. (I have all sorts of ideas but don’t know how to put them into a profitable business)

    -I agree that I’d love to know the best and worst part of starting a business.

    -Are you profitable? If so, how long did it take you to get to that point?

    Thanks…can’t wait to hear about the show!

  • Christen
    May 16, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    As a small business owner, working from your home/studio, what is a day in your life like?

  • Raining Daisies
    May 17, 2008 at 6:24 am

    How great for you!
    Good Luck!
    I am so jealous!

  • Kyle
    May 17, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    I would like to know if starting up an online business like yours requires a lot of capital…and also I am wondering if you have any plans for ever having an actual retail space.

  • Nicole
    June 4, 2008 at 9:27 am

    Haha, I just sent you an e-mail about business before reading this. I didn’t realize I was just “one of many”–I’ll look forward to seeing if you blog about some of the business-y topics. Some of the things I get most confused about are the financial planning, tax implications, etc. Although a lot of other things have been on my mind lately–like establishing a strong brand identity, finding the right target markets, etc. There’s so much out there on the internet these days–it gets confusing to know who is really looking to help you and who is just trying to make a buck. Well, I’m going on and on, but I’ll keep reading. :-)

  • Chelsea
    June 26, 2008 at 12:32 pm

    Hi Nicole,
    I’m so inspired by your work. Your blog is fantastic…so inspirational! I am a graphic designer from Seattle with my own shop and I too, along with the other hoards have some business questions. Mine specifically circulate around production….
    Do you print in house?
    Do you partner with an external print house?
    Who does your assembly…is that outsourced?
    How do you choose your price point for individual pieces?
    I am growing my invitation and stationery business and currently use Gocco as my printer of choice. I’m finding however that some brides/clients do not like the imperfections of Gocco printing (ie the beautiful handmade quality!) so I’m looking to purchase a printer that I can produce pieces with…I’d love some advice there!
    How did you make the leap from small shop to arriving at the National Stationery Show? Did you just jump in head first? That is what I’m thinking and hope to be there in a year or two.
    I so appreciate your advice and guidance!