I don’t know about anyone else, but I am so glad we are blessed with a new year and the oppportunity to start fresh.  Last year did have a lot of things to be thankful for, but doesn’t it seem like things are getting harder?  I feel so fortunate to have my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as my guide.  He is always with me, never doubts me, lifts me up continually and loves me unconditionally.  I have decided to focus on things above, i.e. God instead of man,  with all of their foibles.  I know I will have a most productive year on all fronts, both personally and professionally.  These years do pass by swiftly and I am learning that thankfulness and gratitude is tantamount to a happy, fruitful and successful life.

So Happy New Year to everyone I know and care about.  And to those of you I have yet to meet.

May God Bless you and yours and hold you in the palm of his hand.

Joan

VIETRI, the number one leading tabletop vendor in America is hosting breakfast on Friday July 13th and Saturday July 14th in their Atlanta showroom.

Please join us and view the incredibly beautiful new product and breakfast on us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please call us at 386-789-8554 to schedule an appointment and receive a discount!

 

I am so excited!!!!!!!!!  VIETRI is celebrating FESTA with it’s second annual event.  November 4 thru 6, 2010.  End consumers loved this promotion and had the opportunity to register for a lovely gift and this year’s gift is even better!

The VIETRI, Martha Stewart Weddings, push is finally here.  Some of our stores are participating and gearing up for a fantastic FALL Bridal season.  As you know, couples are getting married year round now.  So every store should be prepared to cater to this very profitable business.  Remember that you are not just selling the bride, but her mother, the groom’s mother and all of the invited guests are potential customers.  Never underestimate the power of “word of mouth” when it comes to Brides!!!!!  If they are happy, they tell everyone AND if they are unhappy, they tell everyone.  I can guarantee that a happy bride now is your consumer of tomorrow!  Happy Labor Day!

 I can just hear those wedding bells now!

  VIETRI  NEW YORK show seminar. 

VIETRI’s National Sales Manager Holli Nelson will be giving a fantastic seminar Monday August 16th at 9 am in the Javits Center in New York.

You don’t want to miss this opportunity to pick up on EASY tips that will help you enhance your bottom line profits!!!!!!!!

Best selling gift items of 2010!!!!

VAGABOND HOUSE has a ton of new product to see at the New York Gift show which starts on Sunday August 15th!  Wait til you see this exciting and beautiful handmade product that now comes with gift boxes!!!!!!  A great selling feature for a retailer and a real bonus for the consumers.  This line is offering show specials, one of which is a discount on your order when you set up an appointment with me at the show.  Please let us know if you are coming.  Now is the time to save some money and we are offering these specials to assist you in growing your profit margins.  Let me know if you are coming.  Thanks, Joan

Handmade in Italy

I get asked this question a lot!  My answer is absolutely, positively!!!!!  I took this photo in one of VIETRI’s factories while on the trip of a lifetime with VIETRI founder, Susan Gravely and a few associates.  Yes, here is a very talented Artisan who is hand throwing a vase for VIETRI to sell in the the USA!  NOTHING beats the creativity that is in an Italian Artisan’s genes.  It goes back for centuries and is in their blood.  That is what they do best, day in and day out.  I have first hand knowledge of this because my family comes from Italy (some of whom still live there) and they built cathedrals and bridges.  In a future post I will show one of their cathedrals still standing.  It is breath taking!!!!!

So share the whole Italian experience with your customers.  They may have vacationed in Italy or are still dreaming about it.  In any case, everyone can own a work of art and share the beauty,  that is VIETRI.  No two pieces are alike.  I personally own many special pieces that have been retired and they make me smile everytime I look at them.  They enhance my life.  They are all special and you too can own a piece of history!!!!

Have a pleasant, lovely, inspired evening!

Good Morning Florida!

More statistics to fire you up about the Bridal Business:

1.  Martha Stewart Weddings is the number one Bridal magazine

2.  there are 2.3 million weddings a year

3.  91% of brides register at one or more stores

4.  people spend at least $70 to $100 per gift

5.  there are 50,000 registered brides in Florida at any given time

6.  many destination weddings happen in Florida

These statistics should get you motivated to show place settings in full force and start developing that Bridal business today.  It is the fastest growing retail segment and one that needs to be capitalized on.  I would be delighted to share success stories with you and set up an appointment to get this business rockin’ and rollin’ for you today!

Happy Monday!!!!!!  Drag out that old wedding dress for a great visual or partner with the local Bridal shop for double exposure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quadri-the latest bride "must have"!

VIETRI introduced their newest dinnerware line “QUADRI” at the summer shows.  The BRIDES love it and when it is enhanced with the new ‘MELANZANA” it is a double winner!

QUADRI can be used with the Cucina Fresca family of colors and PALLINI.  Mixing and matching patterns is the latest in the fashion world.  Anything goes and in this case, VIETRI is ahead of the curve!  Fashion and VIETRI go hand in hand and they have done it again!!!!  We have even introduced two wonderful RUSTIC GARDEN TERRACE additions to use as planters or vases in the center of the table.  The Classic Cachepots come in two colorways, our wonderful amber and new plum.  PLUM is in this season, it is regal, it is scrumptious and it goes with many colors.

When you register a bride you are actually reaching out and touching her entire family and their network of friends.  Brides can help you build an incredible special order business that you didn’t have before.  Tap into it for success today!!!!!

I will be happy to show you how to maximize the BRIDAL BUSINESS in your store.  This is the fastest growing retail category with over 50,000 women registered at any given time in the state of Florida alone!  If you haven’t given this any thought yet, now is the time to JUMP IN WITH BOTH FEET!!!!!!!!   People are always getting married and that is not going to change.  With VIETRI’s proven plan to develop and support the BRIDAL BUSINESS you will reap the rewards.  Don’t delay, now is the time to market your business and make money!!!!!

I am here for you!  Use my knowledge and experience to help build your business.

Have a wonderful day,

Joan

“QUALITY IS REMEMBERED, LONG AFTER THE PRICE IS FORGOTTEN”!!!!!

Serve up excellent customer service today!!!!

It’s summer and boy is it HOT, HOT, HOT, here in Florida.  Now is the time to experiment and do fun things in your store.  Not as many people are shopping, they are either on vacation or just don’t want to go out in this heat or they are snowbirds sizzling right in their own hometowns!  So much for going up North to cool off during the summer!  They should have stayed here and had some fun in the sun. 

This time  allows you quality “catch up” time  on projects you have been putting off.  It’s time to clean out those stockrooms and drawers and get ready for this Fall season!  Make space for your signage, count those plate stands.  Do you have enough to properly display your products?  What is your promotional plan for the remainder of the year.  How are you going to get the word out about your business?  If you aren’t being proactive, you are not doing your job.   

You got into this business because you were creative and had a sense of adventure.  Don’t let the world around you stop you from moving forward.  This is your baby!  We all know that babies need nourishment, need to be protected and nurtured.  If you want a successful business, SELL THE SIZZLE, NOT THE STEAK!!!!  This means sell yourself, your customer service, your staff and your products.  You hand picked them so make them look desirable this month.  Experiment!  Pretend you are Martha Stewart and let your creative genie out of the bottle.  If you don’t have a “green thumb” so to speak, appoint someone on your staff to go for it and have fun. 

CHECK OUT:  vietri.com, vagabondhouse.com and lecadeaux.com.   Great products, excellent customer service and money making products!!!!!!!!

Bob (Bobbo to some of you),  always says that “things come back with a vengeance”,  so be prepared.  It is so easy to get down and worry, but what is worry?  It is just a waste of time and energy and makes you forget who you are and what your purpose in life is!

No one needs what we sell, but our products are useful and do enhance lives with their beauty.  Make sure your customer knows who you are and that you care.  Sometimes all it takes is the recognition.  Everyone wants to be special.  Send out a thank you note for your business.  Technology is great and I am a huge proponent of it, however, a handwritten note or card goes a long way to warming the hearts of consumers.  They may not buy now, but rest assured, they will remember to shop at your store when the need arises.

My favorite quote:  “QUALITY IS REMEMBERED,  LONG AFTER THE PRICE IS FORGOTTEN!